dk17340

I can get the new belt installed to roughly the 12 o'clock position on the cam gear. I just can't get it to budge any further. I was wondering if I could turn the crank (by hand) clockwise to get the belt to settle in place on the camshaft gear?

RReason

Not a great idea, if it slips you're now out of phase and would have to pull the belt off to line up TDC on the cam again anyway.

What are you installing it on?

If you have a late car with the spring tensioner, just move the tensioner out of the way. There is a lot of slack available then.

V2Rocket

Lock the crank gear in place.
With a big wrench, turn the cam gear clockwise about half a tooth width, and seat the belt...then turn the cam gear back to the TDC mark.

Tighten as normal.
Works every time.

RReason

It must be a lot worse doing that job on the earlier engines then. I had tons of slack on an 88.

mytrplseven

do you have the tensioner loosened enough? I don't ever remember the belt being that tight.

V2Rocket

I have done a ton of 944 belts and have seen variance in difficulty in getting it over the gear, regardless of tensioner style.

Some cars the belt slips on easy enough, some need the gear "wiggled" a bit to get it on.

Maybe the easier cars have shaved heads/decks

RReason

Weird. With the spring loaded tensioner oon my 88 924S if you just release it then pivot it out of the way you get so much room that the belt barely stays on.

dk17340

Thanks for the suggestions, I got it on this morning. 5 mm allen wrench.