I'm trying to take the timing belt covers off to see the condition of the belt but I can't remove the cover. I got the three screws out but I can't seem to physically remove it. It just flops around in there. What is needed to remove the cover so I can inspect the belt? Plus I'd also like to paint the cover since it looks like ***.

 

The position of the breather tower says this is a very early '85. The alt/ps bracket has to be loosened to remove on these, just like a 16V.



Later in '85 the left upper cover and the center cover were changed so the upper cover could be removed more easily.

 

Note the more forward position of the left TB breather tower on this later '85. The right tower is oddly still in the rearward position until '86.

The towers were moved so you could see the front notch indicating cyl #1 on the updated 01 cam gears for '86.

 

How many changes did Porsche do to these cars over the course of it's existence? So just loosen the alternative bracket? I hope that isn't hard. Also does the rotor go back on one way?

 

I gave it a quick try and I kinda wanna take it off and clean it. Can you remove it without removing the alternator and power steering pump? Also the adjuster bolt for the belt on the power steering pump came off by hand very easily. That can't be right. How many bolts hold this alternator bracket on?

 

So I did get the bracket off but I broke a bolt. I've only found two bolts that actually hold it onto the engine, not sure if that's how it should be? I was thinking I could avoid drilling and tapping this bolt out until I need to change the timing belt but now I'm thinking I should do it. Will probably need to remove the radiator to get more room. Anyone know what bolt size this is so I know what tap to use? Also what's a good drill bit that won't take me 3 days to drill it out? I tried welding a nut onto the bolt with no luck. It's not strong enough and breaks off easily. Maybe I'll try it again with the weld trick.