Hi 'boarders,

I've just been reading the timing belt advice in the 700/900 FAQs. There's some damn fine advice in there and some of the stories mirror my own experiences.
Well, I have a tip of my own which I hope will be of use to someone. It's one i picked up whilst working the the "trade" and it ain't let me down yet.
If you are doing a routine belt replacment on an engine which is running fine, and therefore already timed up properly, then there is no need to muck about finding TDC, BDC or FBI. No siree!
Leave all belt pulleys as you find them but before you slacken the tensioner and remove the old belt mark the side of each pulley with a small dab of white paint, tippex or whatever. Then put a corresponding dot on the engine itself taking care to ensure that it lines up with the pulley dots. CAUTION - make certain you don't get any paint on your new belt or the 'toothed' part of the pulleys where the belt runs.
Remove old belt, then fit the new one ensuring the marks have not moved in relation to one another.

Now, old timers and dyed in the wool Volvo merchants will shudder at the mere thought of this (as did I when I first heard this) but, hell, it works!

Hope this is of use to someone,

Big Rich.
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This is a 245 Volvo...the most powerful wagon it the world...d'ya feel lucky Punk?