Timing belt instal, need help Options

[TURBOWHT]

Ok well before you tell me to read vfaq, i did and i get everything tell i get to the part where you are sapposed to use the timing belt tensioner tool. I dont have the tool, and everyone said you can do it without, so does anyone know how, and can tell me what do ? thanks

[xian 1g]

the vfaq.

Here is how I set the tension whether I am using a new tensioner or not:

I do not use an Allen wrench on the tensioner as noted previously, I just let the tensioner expand all the way
Once the belt is installed, I place a .150" drillbit (or the nearest larger size I have) on the top of the tensioner body, and screw in the tensioner tool until it captures the drillbit between the tensioner body and tensioner pulley bracket. When the bracket is close to the drillbit, I start spinning the drillbit, and stop screwing in the tool as soon as the bracket stops it from spinning. In other words, I stop when the pulley bracket is just snug against the bit.
I place a flatblade screwdriver between the engine and tensioner pulley, and lightly pry up on the pulley
I torque the pulley down
I back off the tensioner tool several turns, and immediately check the tensioner gap - if it has gotten too small or too large right away, I redo the steps above, changing the pressure used on the screwdriver. If the gap looks OK, I spin the engine 6 turns and wait 15 minutes and check the gap again.
There are other ways to do this, but this works best for me

[Cyclone93]

I dont exactly know if this is the right way to do this but it worked for me. I simply put the tensioner in a vice and compressed it until the whole in the middle of the tensioner lined up with the whole of the shaft and put a small cotter pin in the hole. Then just make sure to double check ur timing marks before u pull the pin.

[TURBOWHT]

yeah i got it figured out, took me 3 trys to get everything lined up, i kept getting slack on right side. but i finally got it.

[xian 1g]

it's not just the timing marks. becarefull.

the tensioner trick you were asking about, makes sure that you don't put to little or too much tension on the belt.

basically after you pull the cotter pin on the tensioner, i believe, don't quote me... you want a 5/16 bit to fit in between the tensioner head and the tensioner arm.

think of bench pressing... to low to the chest, not enough power... to high, elbow's locked out, no power.. depending on a new or used tensioner, where you are off, low or high... you could be spelling trouble.