Does anyone in Northern VA have a belt tensioning tool I can borrow? I tried to set by hand after redoing the camshaft cover gasket, but it had a ticking sound when I started it up, so now I'm afraid.

Beer for help!

 

Most old school mechanics just tighten it till it squeeks.
Then back it off. Drive for a whole with the cover off then adjust tension. They aren't as fragile as people may lead you to believe.

 

I did that a bit ago and it was fine, but this time I hear the ticking and it doesn't feel right. I am afraid that the timing is off, and since I am going to do it again, I want to do it right, you know? Also, I can't seem to find a 27mm thin wrench. I looked at lowes, sears, auto parts stores, nothing. I managed with my fat 27mm wrench, but it is not ideal. Any suggestions?

 

Try this.....maybe......

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-piec...set-93668.html

 

For that price I can just get the proper tool. Plus I was hoping to grab it from somewhere local....

 

I am assuming this is from when you removed the cam tower? You are probably hearing your lifters. Drive around and it should go away. If it doesnt get some marvel mystery oil and replace a quart of oil with it.
Same thing happened to me and within 5 minutes of running with the MMO the sound was gone.

 

I thought the same thing. added some oil, let it idle a bit, drove around a bit, and it still had a slight tick. different from the injector tick. I then shut it off, did some stuff, came back. When I turned it over, it would not idle right, heard a clink when it died, and I decided to recheck the timing. that's where I am at now.

On that note, is there anywhere that tells me how to adjust the timing and make sure it is perfect besides Clarks Garage? Pictures would be nice. If not, I am sure I can do it with Clark's directions, I am just nervous. don't want my engine being destroyed.

 

Check Van's video on youtube. He does a good job of explaining how to adjust the belts.

 

Thats a good video on how to set the tension. I am more worried about my timing being off.

 

Clarks has it. but the short version is crawl under the car and line up the mark on the flywheel with the notch in the bellhousing. This should be TDC, then at the cam tower look at the cam gear. Its mark should be lined up with the mark in the cover. Remember you have some leeway, as guys are running 4 degree advance cam keys with no issues.

 

So it does not have to be exact?

The other thing I am wondering, I put some grease on the lifters to keep them from falling out when I put the cam tower on. Heard this was a good way to go. Could these be making the lifters stick a bit and cause ticking?

 

The grease should have washed off almost instantly. Before I put MMO in my oil I ran the car probably 30 minutes and the sound didnt go away. Try some MMO and see what happens.
Also where in DC are you. I met you at Cars and Coffee last year.

 

I'm in Herndon VA. You might have met me at cars and coffee. Real name is Nick. Occupation is Realtor. I've met a few people there. Are you going again anytime soon? It has been crazy busy.

 

I have your business card lol. I have the red 86 N/A.
I may be going tomorrow, not sure yet.
Edit: I will not be going tomorrow.

 

I remember you! Let's try to get together at next weeks cars and coffee. Hopefully the car will run by then. haha.

I think i'll check the timing to make sure it's right, adjust if necessary, then run the mmo through it and see what happens. I need to drain some oil too. Think I overfilled it.