Timing belt change boo boo

[garion]

So I decided to do the timing belt on my 78... Changed the seals, new water pump, etc... As I go to pick it back together, I run into a tiny issue.. A pic is worth 1000 swear words here:



I've tried the normal online places, and can't seem to find a replacement. Can anyone help out here?

--John

[dmwhiteoak]

Any of your local fastener companies should have them or something close. I use fastenall here with good luck.

[garion]

Good idea. I found a Fastenal nearby. Have to wait till monday though.

Another bad thing. While researching this, I noticed *why* that bolt snapped. I do not have the bolt that goes through the middle of the tensioner bearing. That explains why the bolt was over stressed..

So.. I need some info on that bolt.. I read in a few threads that its a 17mm. Whats the length, and how big a washer? Is there an insert that goes in there?

Guess it was a good idea to do the timing belt.. Seems like it was a disaster waiting to happen...

--John

[garion]

Well, I found the first part online,and the same place seems to have the other items I need too... Here's the list of what I think I need.. Please correct me if I'm wrong! I'll wait a few days before ordering to give people a chance to repsond:

The bolt that broke:
http://www.fiatplus.com/tension-bear-sp ... 82181.html

Bushing that goes inside the tensioner bearing:
http://www.fiatplus.com/tensioner-beari ... 03975.html

Washer 1:
http://www.fiatplus.com/tensioner-beari ... 03431.html

WAsher 2 (2 washers?):
http://www.fiatplus.com/tensioner-beari ... 03432.html

Stud:
http://www.fiatplus.com/tensioner-beari ... 80252.html

How do the washers go? One on the back? Or both on the front?

--John

[dmwhiteoak]

I only saw a couple of the parts you need in stock with that company. Check a gain and look at ( availability ). I'm sure someone with spare parts hanging around can help out. The washer I believe goes on the outside of the bearing. Been a month or so since I done mine but I have slept since then.

[fiatmike124]

The experts may correct me, but I just wanted to add that the bushing shown goes inside the tensioner spring, not the bearing. I don't believe there is any other bushing for the bearing itself. It mounts on the bushing stub that is part of the bracket that pivots.

Mike

[vandor]

Hello,
Mike is right, that steel sleeve (bushing?) goes inside the spring.

There are actually 3 washers on the stud, a thin stepped washer, a large diameter thick washer, and then a regular spring washer.

The stud you need has 10x1.25 threads, but I do not know the length off the top of my head.
I have all the parts used and zinc plated, except for the stud, as that usually stays in the block. I can look if there is one in a spare block.
Send me an email if interested.

[Berek]

Mathews auto parts in Birmingham Al is awesome.He has a stock pile of parts and is reasonable 1-800-533-3839 ask for Richard tell him Jim in florida told you to call. This guy has been incredible when it comes to finding stuff like that :}

[garion]

I ended up buy all those items I listed above, since they looked like they were in short supply.

i'll still need to get a nut and maybe some washers, but thats easier to do than odd studs..

Thanks everyone, and I'll post here again when i get it sorted or more questions..

I have no idea how the car stay running with a single bolt holding the tensioner!

[garion]

Got my parts in finally.. Seemed to take a while.. Got everything I needed, other than a nut and spring washer.. Found those locally..

Tonight I installed the timing belt, now that I have the correct parts, it seemed to go smoothly.. I did find a trick for moving the tensioner to get the belt on. I used an old 'drum brake' tool.



The hook end fit nicely into the area where I need to pry, and just enough leverage to get thing in place:



So now I have the timing belt on, tomorrow I'll be putting the rest of the stuff back on, and seeing how it turned out.

[vandor]

Turn the engine over by hand TWO revolutions before you start it!

[garion]

Thanks for that. I did do that, and its all clear...

I ran the engine for about 30 seconds before I put the radiator, hoses, etc in, and she purred like a kitten.... Success!

Toss the rest of the system back together, add the antifreeze, burp it, let make sure the fan comes on, etc. Everything is go!

I take it for a short test drive, and everything is fine for a few minutes, then my temp starts to shoot up...Nurse it back home, let it cool...

I open up the radiator cap, and the 'high point' fill cap... Start the engine thinking it needs more burping... in the fill cap, I watch the fluid go by in small spurts.. After a while it starts pushing frothy fluid, slightly brown..

*sigh*

I'm not getting antifreeze in the oil, but I highly suspect exhaust in the coolant..

Time to drain everything again, and take the head off.

[131]

At least you'll be well practiced at setting up the cam timing, and new gaskets through the topend is a good thing.

[garion]

You got that right. It took me 3 tries to get the belt on before it went on with all the marks perfectly lined up.. The exhaust cam kept being off by one notch.

[vandor]

Before you pull it apart I'd do a cooling system pressure test and a leakdown test to be sure you know what you are dealing with.