User 52121

Ok I ordered the full "Maxi" kit from Arnnworx and used it to set the tension for both my timing belt and balance belts.

I set it 3x. Then I had my dad set it 2x, without any influence from me. We both just followed the instructions. And the tension came out pretty much exactly the same all five times he and I set it.

Then a fellow RL'er/PCA'er came by to lend a hand, he's done a bunch of TB's before and I had him double-check it (he uses the "feel" method.) He's rebuilt a bunch of 944 motors and trust his opinion.

He told me that both belts were too loose. The timing belt was just "a little too loose." The balance belt was "way way way too loose."

My dad is a former GM Master Service Technician. He agreed (as did I) that the belts (especially the balance belt) seemed way too loose - but then the word around here (and also in the Arnnworx instructions themselves) say that the balance belt will seem VERY loose to someone who is not familiar with these cars.

But Brian (RL'er/PCA'er) showed me that I could, with the balance belt connected and "tensioned" move the shafts independently of one another - probably almost 1 full tooth worth. So, yeah, too loose I think.

Am I missing something? Some "gotcha" or something with using the tool? I used the nylon roller for the TB and the wood block for the BB, "snapped" the tool and got consistent readings that were always *right* on spec (according to the math and the worksheet in the back.)

What did I miss?

carlege

Did you tighten the TB until the WP was hard to turn with your hand? I hear this is a good way of telling.

harrisonrick

The timing belt, by hand, should be twistable with some effort 90 degrees. The balance belt 180 degrees.

The gap between the balance belt and the roller above the bottom balance belt tensioner should be approx a credit card gap. You should be able to run your finger under/between the roller/belt easily. Too tight and it will whine.

krystar

my thoughts are that balance belt doesn't need to have real tension since its double toothed. just enough to prevent skipped teeth.

timing belt needs to actually rub on the smooth water pump pulley so needs real tension/

there are a couple of "by feel" methods. 90 degree twists is one. for timing belt, barely able to turn water pump pulley by hand is another. there's also another person that strums the belt like guitar string. i find that one a bit farfetched...but scientifically speaking, it is valid. heh

kingston944

I used the optibelt tension tool from Markus Blaszak but before I had the tool had set the belts up as Van on youtube video said to tension the belts. When I used the opti tool no adjustment was needed from when I tensioned belts using the youtube video from Van.

Darwantae951

Interesting. I have used the Arnworx tools many times and each time I get a similar result of about 90deg on the timing belt and 180deg on the BS belt. Never an issue on any car I've used them on either.

User 52121

Maybe I will pull the covers off tonight and try the 90/180 tests and see how it fares.

Darwantae951

You did use the metal bars while tensioning, right?

John_AZ

Here is my only test for the cam belt tension.

I use the Krikut and "feel" for the BB-balance belt.

This is intended only for a "2nd opinion" for others after you have set the belts.

GL
John