Ziff951

Hi all, I've recently picked up an 86' 951 and joined up here to help with the fix up. I'm not new to these, as I used to have a 944S and a really nice black 951 that a stupid driver totaled for me... This one needs some work, but already has the LR 340 rwhp kit, and man, she moves! I'm in the middle of replacing the interior (everything), shocks, bushings, belts, weatherstripping, rotors, pads, etc...

My question is: I need to change the belts and wondered if I could switch to the 87' and later belt tensioner system? Thanks.

I'm putting the interior back together, but will get some pics up soon.

Stephen

jasonlp

If you plan to change to racers edge control arm's I have a pair of 86 spindles drilled to accept them for sale

Ziff951

Thanks, but I'm not in the $$$$ quite yet for the really fun stuff....;-)..

Also, I found that it's not worth upgrading the tensioner to the 87'...Search...it works..hehe.

951_RS

Are you changing out the belts for any reason other than them being old, or are they squealing when cold or something.

Ziff951

bought the car recently and don't have a definite on the last time they were done....don't want to risk pounding my valves with the pistons...;-)...

minho78

Welcome to rennlist. LR340HP kit you must be impressed with the power.
Good luck.

spyder348

i dont think the tensioner will match up especially with the plastic covers. engine might have the holes for it though. just install a oem new roller you should be fine. doing the same thing man. not new to it either. go with contitech belt if any. also very easy to pull the timing cover. take 10 minutes and look maybe the belts are good. just started a restore on my 86 951 a month or two ago. first thing i did was try and change the belts. lol the only new thing on the car. got my seats in today get dash tom.

minho78

if you are doing the T-Belt Rennbay has a new Kevlar T-Belt that it's supposed to be three times stronger.

http://www.rennbay.com/timing-balanc...elt-p-165.html

Ziff951

Spyder, cool... Yeah, it's been a lot of work...started just thinking I would 'fix it up a little'....ha..I ripped the whole interior out and am just about finished putting it back together...oh yeah, I changed it from tan to black inside, also...goodtimes. How would I know by looking at the belts if they're good? I never did the belts on my old one...

Minho, thanks for the welcome, and yes, this thing is a beast! Before I tore her apart, I did a rolling run with a newer Viper and stayed right on him...until I missed 3rd...(I had work boots on...and have big feet..) I'll check out Rennbay for those belts, too. Thanks.

choinga

If you don't know...change them.

I think the jury's still out on the kevlar belt. No one in their right mind is going to run past 40k or 3-4 years anyway, so what's the point? I'm pretty sure that the belts of 2009 are light years ahead of the belts that were available in the mid-late 80's, so the standard $14 belt is what's staying on mine.

carreracoupe997

Yes, you can put an '87 belt tensioner on an '86 block. The entire front of the engine needs to be accessible so it's easier to do with engine out. You must drill and tap the block. Lindsey racing does it all the time. You can send your block to them if you need too.

JC951

Welcome, I just changed my from tan to black as well, except I have a problem with a rollcage in the way of the dash so i'm not sure what to do with the tan underside and am currently working on RS style door panels. The interior swap was definately a good time...especially trimming it around the rollcage

Ziff951

Ugh....Yeah, the carpet was a pain...same with the new seat covers. Let's just say, you get what you pay for. The seat covers don't fit very well and the carpet isn't the best quality, either. But, it's a driver and looks a million times better than it did before!

I like that RS door style...if mine ever heads to track status, that would be cool.

Chris White

No real point to switching to the 87+ tensioner. All it does is apply tension to the belt when the engine is not running and the tensioner is unlocked – then you lock it down and in theory the belt is tensioned correctly – if you trust 20 year old springs and you have the engine in the correct orientation.

I check the tension of every belt I do – including the ‘self-tensioners’.

If you really want to do it you will need the tensioner, belt covers, drill and tap the block (really needs to be removed to do it correctly)….