Hello All,

I'm just finishing up my first timing belt install, and I've got a new a\c belt, size 13x925. What is the proper way to install it? If I put one end around the compressor and then try to sandwich the the two halves of the pulley together using the four shims I found in there the belt seems to small. It rides very deep in the groove, deeper than the old one, and I'm afraid that I'm squeezing the belt and the pulley halves are not bottoming out. Or should I bolt the pulley together, and then some how bump the belt on? Thanks in advance.
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Bruce S. near D.C.

Bruce -

That one is tricky, I still remember my first one. Sore back. The fewer shims between, the tighter the belt.

With a new belt start with 5 of the 6 shims inside the pulley. If you are replacing the old belt, put in the same number that came out. One shim changes the tension by 3/16 inch.

Get the shims on the studs, put on the outer pulley half, and get the nuts on the studs, finger tight. Put in the bolts finger tight. Then use a breaker bar to turn the crankshaft clockwise about a quarter turn. Finger tighten the one or two nuts/bolts that are loosest, they will be the ones farthest to the left side. Then it's rotate, tighten, rotate, tighten, many times.

I use a 10mm half-inch socket on a 4 inch extension to turn the nuts/bolts. No wrench handle is needed.

You will see the belt gradually move upwards into the proper groove. When all 6 nuts/bolts are as finger tight as possible, go around two times using a wrench. Overtightening will make big problems next time. The nut material is soft and they round off easily. DAMHIK

The B230F engine has a different PITA for this, and the $57 special tool is worth it. At least the B21 and B23 didn't need a special tool.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

B.C.-

Thanks for the help, I'm starting to get the big picture.
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Bruce S. near D.C.