Do we actually need the rear belt cover?
12-15-2015, 09:25 PM
#1
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Do we actually need the rear belt cover?
I'm getting ready to button my car up but I have a destroyed rear belt cover. Two things are on my mind. Number one, future service would be easier with it out of the way and I've always ran my 951 without the front cover.
Number 2, I want my car running tomorrow and don't want to have to wait and buy a new rear cover. Can I get away with not having one? I understand the marks for timing the balance shafts are on it, but barring that does it actually serve any other vital purpose? I've got the block marked and feel confident I can get the balance shafts lined up correctly without the marks on the rear belt guard. I'm just curious if my car will explode or something
Number 2, I want my car running tomorrow and don't want to have to wait and buy a new rear cover. Can I get away with not having one? I understand the marks for timing the balance shafts are on it, but barring that does it actually serve any other vital purpose? I've got the block marked and feel confident I can get the balance shafts lined up correctly without the marks on the rear belt guard. I'm just curious if my car will explode or something
12-15-2015, 10:15 PM
#2
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I've ran without front cover for years, and am in the same boat. Engine is out for various refreshings. My plan was to leave the rear belt cover off when I reinstall.
Subscribed in case there's a legitimate reason to run the rear cover that I haven't thought of.
Subscribed in case there's a legitimate reason to run the rear cover that I haven't thought of.
12-15-2015, 10:58 PM
#3
Forty plus years ago I had a Pontiac OHC 6 and didn't replace the cover after having the head off. Drove into a snow drift and found out why it had a guard 
Snow packed around crank pulley and belt spun throwing timing way off..... Long walk thru a snow storm taught me to replace what I took off, however I don't think too many of us plow thru snow with our cars.
Snow packed around crank pulley and belt spun throwing timing way off..... Long walk thru a snow storm taught me to replace what I took off, however I don't think too many of us plow thru snow with our cars.
12-15-2015, 11:16 PM
#5
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OP is asking rear cover alone vs no rear cover, assuming front cover is already out of the question.
12-15-2015, 11:24 PM
#7
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Really, it's main purpose are to provide the alignment marks for the balance shaft pulleys, and to support the front covers to keep debris out of the belts.
If you're running the belly pan, you're probably ok with running open/no covers (I run no front covers on my track car - with belly pan - but keep the rear cover on for the alignment marks).
However, for a street car, I'd run with the covers. You're more likely to run over debris... you drive a *whole lot* more miles... and it's it's far more inconvenient to have a belt failure on the street (while you're probably trying to go somewhere important...)
If you're running the belly pan, you're probably ok with running open/no covers (I run no front covers on my track car - with belly pan - but keep the rear cover on for the alignment marks).
However, for a street car, I'd run with the covers. You're more likely to run over debris... you drive a *whole lot* more miles... and it's it's far more inconvenient to have a belt failure on the street (while you're probably trying to go somewhere important...)
