Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 11/6/06 at 04:50 PM |
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Vauxhall 16V - cam belt tension
Hello,
I have had a look inside the cam belt cover on my new redtop engine and it looks to me as if the tension device is missing a spring to maintain
tension. Is this so or am I daft?
Cheers
 
Rescued attachment DSCF0059.JPG
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 11/6/06 at 05:01 PM |
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Neither my 16vGTE nor the current redtop engine has had a spring in that location. In any case it would not maintain any tension if it was fitted,
the tension is fixed once you tighten the bolt in the middle of the tensioner pulley.
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Megatron-UK
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| posted on 11/6/06 at 05:05 PM |
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None on mine either:
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Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 11/6/06 at 06:21 PM |
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OK, cool. Should the belt be tight? the bit inbetween the two cams is not tight at all?
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 11/6/06 at 06:35 PM |
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Yes, it does look a little slack in the picture. It's important to get the tension pretty much spot on, tool little and you risk jumping teeth,
to much and to risk the belt snapping and/or tensioner/idler/water pump failure.
A general rule of thumb is that you should be able to twist the belt 90 degrees with your fingers on the longest run.
[Edited on 11/6/06 by MikeRJ]
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ned
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| posted on 11/6/06 at 07:23 PM |
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i did mine as per the haynes book of lies, 'so you can nearly twist it through 90degrees' or words to that effect but mine is too tight at
the moment and i need to slaken it off.
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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Stu16v
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| posted on 12/6/06 at 09:32 PM |
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Very early engines did have a spring fitted, but IIRC they were prone to breaking, and subsequently taking the engine with them!
Dont just build it.....make it!
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NS Dev
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| posted on 12/6/06 at 09:35 PM |
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Yep, I had an engine out of an '89 astra GTE that had the spring on it, so i kept the spring, and use it to help set the tension on my other
engines, then take it off once the tensioner is locked up.
Incidentally on the engine in my 7, I have removed the whole arm from the tensioner (if you grind the arm near where its pressed on the press fit
gives up its hold and the arm falls off) as I have dispensed with the black rear cover and the front cover as well.
I think Ned has done the same.
Retro RWD is the way forward...........automotive fabrication, car restoration, sheetmetal work, engine conversion
retro car restoration and tuning
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