timingbelt

Timing Belt Wrap Techniques:

Here are some pics of the 'wrap' technique I use on the sprockets. The idea is to wrap the sprocket in such a way the OLD timing belt loops around and then the teeth on the belt mesh with itself. If this is bent over where the harder the sprocket is twisted, the tighter the belt squeezes, the it's a very effective way to get things broken loose or tightened. Make sure to read the notes at the end before doing this.

Pic 1. shows how the belt's teeth mesh with themselves, this is how to set it up to remove the bolts on the passenger side exhaust cam sprocket.

Pic 2. shows how to wrap the passenger instake cam sprocket for removal. notice how the rest of the belt loops over to the driver side and down to the idler pully.

Pic 3. shows how to wrap the driver side intake cam sprocket for removal. I'm looping to the bolt that normally would hold the alternator adjustment bracket. There's probably a better arrangement, but it doesn't require a lot to hold the sprockets in place to remove the bolts. I'll find a neater way next time I'm in an engine.

Pic 4. shows how to wrap the driver side exhaust cam sprocket for removal. The loop is going all the way down to the crank pulley bolt. I'll see if I can make wrap patterns that all end up this way.

Pic 5. shows how to wrap the passenger side exhaust cam sprocket to tighten it. The loop goes to the crank pulley bolt.

Pic 6. shows how to wrap the passenger side intake cam sprocket to tighten it. The loop goes to the driver side idler pulley.

Pic 7. shows how to wrap the driver side intake cam sprocket to tighten it. The loop goes around the AC compressor pulley.

Forgot to take a pic of the wrap for the driver side exhaust cam sprocket. It should be appearant how to do this now anyway.

Notes:

Make certain that the sprockets (particularly on the passenger side) are not resting the valves on the pistons during the tightening part. It's easy to feel when the belt wrap is holding the sprocket in place and when the valves are hitting something else. The wrap has to take the load of tightening, NOT the valves.

Do NOT use the autotensioner as a loop endpoint. Try and use the drivers idler pulley, the crank pulley bolt, or one of the other cam sprockets (I've used them before too). These should be easy to figure out.

Originally published 12-28-99

DamonZ

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