Hi all,
Yesterday and today I completed the timing belt job.

I had read all about it countless times on the BB, and finally got to it. All went well, although I still need to do a shake down ride and see if it 'really' worked. Thanks to the BB for the wealth of info that certainly helped!

Some notes of things I found/learned along the way...
The rope trick was awesome! I've never seen a pic of it so here ya go. not really a descriptive pic but...



Also this is what the camshaft looks like when doing the rope trick at TDC



I took a pic of the crankshaft pulley lined up for TDC- hadn't really seen any pics like this in the FAQ's-



When tightening the crankshaft bolt, ONLY use 1/2" tools. 3/8" just doesn't cut it-



I had used a few adapters to get some clearance from the water pump, but as I was tightening through the 44 ft/lbs + 60* I felt the metal give- stopped before it sheared off (otherwise I would have a bruised knuckle or two) and just laughed at myself and the tool.

An easy way to get the mushroom seal snugged up on reinstalling the water pump is to use a come-a-long around the oil filler cap. It was nice to be able to use 2 hands for all the bolts.



I still have to see how the seal will hold up, the mating surface on the block had a few pits, might have to go at it again. We'll see after a few drives.

Things I messed up/slowed me down-
By the alternator there's a little black wire going to the oil pressure sensor (I think)- in working down there I managed to yank it off, but was able to put it back on. Its plastic housing has a rubber insulator around the metal contact pin, which of course crumbled as I opened it up. a few wraps of electrical tape an it was just like new ;)

I got continental belts from FCP. The timing belt marks painted on the new belt were one off- I had all my pulleys lined up and the camshaft and intermediate shaft lined up nice( single line marks in place), but the double lines for the crankshaft were one too far. I had marked the old belt and it had 27 teeth b/w int. shaft mark and crankshaft mark, while the conti had 28 (I might be off on those #'s, but he diff was one tooth). I trusted the engine/pulley marks and put it on disregarding the crankshaft double lines.

On reassembly I put the water pump/fan before the upper timing belt cover (doh!)


Overall wasn't a bad job at all- I took my time, enjoyed the good weather. Cleaning the old water pump gasket material was probably the most labor intensive task. I didn't do the front engine seals b/c they looked good and I'd taken long enough already. and next time, now that I have experience, I'll be in and out in no time (but not really- there's always something...). If you're considering doing this job- go for it!

Happy wrenching & motoring!
Koos