avainio

I just got the Blaszak Tool ($55.00 shipped). It appears to be identical to the Kriket 1 (about $10.00) except for a small flange on the Kriket to keep it from slipping on the belt. Handwritten on the box is : Balance 28, Cam 40, AC/Alt 85. The scale reads the same on the lbs. portion, the marks line up exactly, the indicator arm is identical. This makes me question my previous study of the 9201 vs. Kriket, which gave much higher values with the Kriket. I don't know what I may have done wrong, I checked everything multiple times. I do NOT want to have anyone have a problem based on my previous experiment. I will see if I can get back on the tool club list and tear my car down again and recheck all tools. This isn't too much of a problem as I'm still taking the intake manifold off to put new vacuum lines and IceShark cable upgrades on. I'll try to post pictures of the tools side by side. For now I would have everyone use the accepted values of 40 lbs for a new belt and 30 lbs for a used belt. The Kriket 1 was consistent in it's measurements, and I think it's a cheap and reasonable alternative to the 9201. If anyone has any input before I do the comparison again, let me know, I want to do this as accurately as possible.

Arne.

Riff

Hey Arne-

One thought run the test in reverse and check the calibration of the 9201 vs the Kriket/Opti-belt. Set the belt tension with the Kriket/Opti-belt to 40lbs. and see what the 9201 is reading. Was there any chance the 9201 could have been mis-calibrated???

Cheers,

avainio

Riff-

I checked the calibration of the 9201, there's a calibration tool in there. It varied by 0.2-0.3, but I checked it multiple times, and it was always within those limits. I will check in reverse order, I haven't gotten an answer yet as to when I can get the 9201 again. It's 15 degrees below zero here today, I don't think I'll have the car on the road anytime soon, so I'm taking my time with my upgrades. If anyone else has any input, let me know. Thanks.

Arne.

iloveporsches

I must have missed it, but did the Kricket tool work ok? I need to retension my belts and don't want to pay $400 or wait for the tool.

avainio

Actually, it seemed to be very consistent, although I came up with different numbers than what is accepted. Many people have used the Kriket with success, it seems in most places you can get it at NAPA for about $10.00.

Arne.

Vaino

Ordered both the KR1 and KRII from Napa, and $9.95. According to HMC International, which makes the "Krikit", the Krikit 1 (KR1 Napa part number) is for V-belts up to 7/8" wide. The Krikit 2 (KR2 Napa Part Number)is for toothed belts upto 2" wide.

I wonder if you had original actually tested with a Krikit 2, instead of a Krikit 1?

See there website:
<a href="http://www.hmc-international.com/krikit.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hmc-international.com/krikit.htm</a>

Skip

Maybe I'm not understanding things, but the Kriket I is for 30-100 lbs (how do you get 28?) and the Kriket II is for 100-300 lbs (how do you get anything?)

Also, the Kriket II is for ribbed V-belts, not toothed belts. The application for these is for harder driving/driven applications than is normally associated with smooth V-belts. (single/multi-accessory vs. serpentine multi-accessory)

There are truly suitable alternatives out there for measuring accurate low tension "cogged" belts, but they are largely more expensive than even the precious 9201. Most precise belt tensioning tools are now electronic/digital and self-calibrating.



Skip

avainio

I did use the KR-1 (I actually bought 2 of them). Skip is right, the scale starts at 30, 28 is a guess at best. I do need to get a 9201 again to redo my comparison, I'll do it in reverse as Riff suggested. I really do think the Kriket gives very repeatable results once you get the hang of using it. I couldn't get the Kriket to read on the balance shaft belt. The tool club set was lost in shipping for awhile, which set everyone back. If I can get a reasonable price on a 9201, I plan on buying it to recheck my measurements (I don't like the way my crank seal went in, I'm going to redo it), compare the Kriket and the Blaszak tool (Optikrik 1), then donate the tool to the tool club for the good of the order. Skip-can you give me a good price on a 9201 as I plan on donating it to the tool club?

Arne.

dan's-85.5-944

there is something i am wondering about. i keep seeing mention of Optikrik I tools which i am told measure from 30 to 160 lbs. i just ordered the Optikrik 0 which measures 0 to 40lbs. isnt that more appropriate since the belts need setting at 28 and 40lbs? am new to doing my own belts, actually havent done them yet, so i am confused.

dan's-85.5-944

i ordered an Optikrik 0 (10 to 40 lbs). i am also getting a Kricket I from my local NAPA store ($10). so i should be covered but i have 2 more questions.

i was told that the alternator belt tension is 85 lbs. that may be why most people get the Kricket I or the Optikrik I which measure from 30 to 150 or 160 and sort of estimate the 28 lbs that the balance shaft belt needs while the cam shaft belt (35 old and 40lbs new belt) and the 85 fo rthe alternator are covered. is the 85lbs for the alternator belt a correct setting?

also, can someone refer me to a good detailed set of instructions on how to get to everything, change the belts and rollers, etc. and set the tensions, starting with "... turn off the car, open hood...." this will be my first attempt at doing my own belts (can't afford to pay someone to do it anymore.. long bad story) and such instructions would be a great comfort to me, if available. thanks, dan

sm

Check out:

www.clarks-garage.com

and get a Haynes manual. These were my two sources of reference, and of course Rennlist, when I did my belts.

dan's-85.5-944

thanks sm, i already have an old haynes '83-86 944 manual but i only covers removing and installing belts and pulleys in the engine rebuild section and states that the tension setting requires "special" tools and should be left to the experts. i did look at the clarks garage link and printed out their procedures and will read them a couple hundred times along with the haynes manual. thanks for the input. dan

bart1

The shop manuals are good, but they are harder to me to use, being so big. I used mostly Clark's and a little from Hayne's (mostly just a pic here and there).

-Bart

bart1

For tensioning look at www.blaszakprecision.com

dan's-85.5-944

thanks bart1 but i looked at blaszakprecision.com and the 1 page instructions are very minimal, in my opinion... probably good if you've done it or watched before but for a fist-timer i think i need more. i will try with haynes and clarks.