Hello Brickskters,

It's really time for me to replace my TB as I have now 70K miles on it -- I feel that I am on borrowed time.

Besides the TB itself, the accesory belts, the three front seals and the tensioner do I need the following :

(1) Timing cover gasket

http://www.fcpgroton.com/images/1378493.jpg

Shouldn't this seal be replaced? Do you need any kind of sealant or it goes in dry?

(2) Harmonic balancer

http://www.fcpgroton.com/images/9135194.jpg

The FAQ seems to indicate that it is a good thing to replace it at 150K miles. I know it is not a "maintenance" item, but at 65 dollars, it seems like cheap insurance. Also I am still getting some mild vibration at idle when car is not in motion and I am wondering if the balancer maybe at fault.
FCP's balancer is ScanTech or MTC, any thoughts on that? Would it be better to get a Volvo one from the Stealership?

Lastly 2 questions :

(3) Manual transmission
If I leave my car in fourth gear, does that mean that I can do away with either the rope trick or the Volvo crank tool? Will that in effect prevent the crank from spinning when I try to crack the nut?


(4) Prerequisite reading

I have read the FAQ, Bentley and Haynes and the following links :

http://volvoadventures.com/howtodocambelt.html
http://www.mikeponte.com/volvo/timing.htm
http://www.rprusa.com/frset2.htm

Anything else should be on my reading list? I am a first timer for the TB, so understandly a bit anxious on how it will all turn out.

As always "Thank you very much" for your input.

--
'89 244DL M47 161K miles