Brent

Ed and I re-tensioned my TB last night. All went well and I felt I was pretty prepared having read a much as I could about this procedure. The Kempf tool showed the belt tension was in the middle of the window. I checked this twice and almost left it as is because there hasn't been any warning light coming on. Cameron's mechanic did the TB/WP and used the 9201 to set the tension 2000K miles ago. Well I just can't leave things alone, so I moved the tension bolt about 1/4 of a turn (CW) and rechecked twice. Still in the middle of the window. About 1/4 of a turn more and the window was almost closed after turning the crank twice. After putting everything back together and driving home, I got to thinking how arbitrary set to the high side is. Now I have reread as many threads as I can till my eyes are blurred. What or where is the high side of the window? Is it 75%, 85%, 90%, completely closed or just a hair short of closed? The info on is all over the place. Is this a personal preference like blondes, brunettes, redheads, or a touch of gray? Am I just being too **** and paranoid here?

docmirror

Jeeeeez, get in and drive.

Do you line up your cereal boxes by graduated size, or by ascending name?

PorKen

Mrmerlin

I set all of the belts i do to the top of the edge on the Kempf tool, this should cross to the 9201 tool and be at about 5.0

H2

I agree with Mr Merlin for 32V cars. Setting your belt in the center of the Kempf tool "notch" or "window" works but it's not 5.0 according to my calibrated 9201.

H2

worf928

My Kempf tool, when the window is closed, is 5.3 on the 9201 tool. 5.0 is about 80%.

I set new belts to "closed" (5.3) and retension to 80% (5.0).

FWIW.

Gary Knox

Brent,

I've checked the Kempf tool with the 9201 tool about a dozen different times. On MY Kempf tool, 90% of the window covered is 5.3 on my friend's 9201 tool. I put a paint line on my Kempf tool at that point, and always reset the tension to that line.

Gary Knox

Brent

Ok, I will resume taking my medication and call my therapist for another long intense session so I should be good to go for the Dallas trip.
Seriously, the Kempf tool was so easy to use and being a rookie, I just over thunk it. Good to know I'm in the window of clinically acceptable. (Bad pun) Peace of mind is not always uncomplicated for me and for that I make no apologies.

Mrmerlin

I tested mine to a 9201 and the top of the window is 5.0 I have the older style Kempf

Jim Chambers

I am about to do this for the first time on my 32V. I assume the "high side" is toward the closed side of the window.
However, not sure whether the tool I'm using is new style or old. I notice that the bent "ear" that holds the spring is bent well past 90 degrees. The tool shown in the instructions has a 90 degree bend. Seems to me the change in the bend would change the spring tension. What tool do I have and where should it read for correct 32 valve tension (My belt has less than 100 miles on it but my light came on after I took the engine to 5K a couple of times)?

Jim Chambers

Still hoping for an answer to my question above. I started the job today and my new (100 miles or less) belt is clearly loose. The indicator does not reach the window, about a window's width to the engine side. Sounds like I should adjust to nearly close the window (32V). I am still wondering about new vs old tool and the fact that the "ear" on mine is bent well past 90 degrees.
Tomorrow I adjust and re-check a couple of times. Good to know my warning light works!

H2

My Kempf tool looks like yours. Mine is calibrated against the Porsche 9201 tool to the high side so far that hardly any of the window shows (for a 5.0 setting). In the center of the window is about 3.0...which works ok on older non-32V cars, since the tool was designed using one of them. However, If I understand you right, and your tool indicator doesn't even reach the window..I'd guess that you're about to throw a belt.
Better watch it. That would be way too loose....If I understand what you're describing correctly, you could be walking soon and facing a huge repair bill. If my belt were that loose, I'd either adjust it correctly before driving or have it trailered until i could.

H2

Vilhuer

Some comments from ancient history including data from man himself:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post1218779

Jim Chambers

Thank you Erkka and H2.

Yes my belt is loose. Light came on at high rpm (did not remain on). That is why the belt is now exposed and ready to be re-tensioned.

Sounds like the Finnish testers and Jay Kempf say the middle of the window will do fine. Others recommend nearly closing the window. Guess I will have to choose.
It was very helpful to learn that a little rotation of the adjuster makes significant change in tension. I had not known that. Thanks again.

Bill Ball

My understanding is the angle of that bend at one end of the spring on the Kempf tool is determined during calibration. I've seen different angles on different new Kempf tools. So, it's important not to toss the tool around or it may lose its calibration, even though Jay says it's hard to knock them out of calibration.