timing belt: tight

[gchocevar]

We all feel your frustration. I've had to do this a couple of times in the 8 years on my 79. There is never any slack that I remember. I do have a little trick while placing the belt around the cam sprockets. While keeping tension on the belt, place the belt a little off the front of the cam sprockets. When you lace it around the idler it seems to keep the belt straight without a twist to give you that last 1-mm you need.
Greg

[geospider]

Thanks Greg. Will give a try this weekend, and that's about all it feels like I need. yep: counted: 148 teeth, so it's the right belt. Now up to me.
I'll keep you all posted.
Geo

[gjones1967]

Sorry for the mistake, I guess the short one is 146 teeth.

[geospider]

well, I finally got it on. very tight, without anything from the tensioner. engine turned fine with all marks lining up perfectly.
thanks for all the ideas.

btw: how's this for a registration cost:

[tima01864]

I have had the same problem Belt was very tight on install. really pushed the idler to the max. to get it on. 2 liter freshly rebuilt engine and cylinder head. MLS head gasket and adjustable cam wheels. How has it worked out for you?

[geospider]

Back in time. Has been fine. actually had to do it again, since I had to pull the cam boxes and put new gaskets and cam seals. Equally tight again and a pita, but got it on. Been driving all over and running great. But definitely tight way before any tension from the tensioner and spring. The whole "do have it too tight" thing is not an option on mine.
Geo

[tima01864]

Very strange, Before this rebuild the belt went on normally. Go figure. I used the curved handle of pliers to push the tensioner to the max, It was just enough to get it on. I tried a used Flennor belt just to see if it was any better. Not much. Installed the Gates belt.

[geospider]

yeah, I don't remember the original, to me, belt came off like it was tight.
only heard a few ever mentioned or admitted to having troubles like this
the last time I did it, had to very unconventional; probably pelted by those on the site. But it worked and I did not use tools to wedge it on. so, no injury to the belt

geo

[tima01864]

The belt being so tight does worry me. Reassuring you have no issues. I asked a few of the experts was told it happens sometimes.
It is what it is.

Tim

[tima01864]

I was suggested the tensioner bearing may be oversized

[Nut124]

I do not think it matters if the belt is tight to get on as long as the final tension, as installed is not too tight.

Too tight can wreck the cam boxes, cam journals.

[tima01864]

I found three different OD's for tensioner bearings, 70mm 71.5mm and 67mm.

70mm is what the vendors sell. I think that the 3mm difference would help with the tension on the belt.

I have no other explanation

https://spareto.com/products/snr-tensio ... 8tWP5CohmQ

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Note that the lengths of the timing belts are slightly different, as given by the number of teeth. Number of teeth for each engine size:
1438 = 144
1800 = 146 (also true for 1592 and 1608 cc engines)
2000 = 148

I believe these are correct, but I can't guarantee it. So, if you happened to get a belt that was one size too small for your engine, it might fit but it would be very tight...

-Bryan

[tima01864]

My 1983 Pini needs 149 or 150 teeth, The engine is embossed FIAT Lancia

[tima01864]

The first engines, 1438cc, used a tensioner bearing 67mm OD.