Not enough slack in timing belt for install?

[kronus]

First timing belt job on a 420a, and it makes the 4g seem like cake.

I've installed the mechanical tensioner from partsdinosaur, and I've realized that the pulley on the mechanical tensioner is larger in diameter than that of the pulley on the hydraulic tensioner. I don't know if that's ok, but it did cross my mind.

Anyway, no matter what I do to remove all the slack in the timing belt, I cannot for the life of me get the timing belt to slide over the tensioner pulley. I start at the crank sprocket and go around CCW until I get to the tensioner, but I just can't get it to slide on! I've read that it takes a 'bit' of muscle to get the belt on, but seriously I'm giving everything I've got, and it's not budging. And it's not like the belt has a ton to go either. I'm talking MAYBE 1.5mm, if that and I CAN'T GET IT TO STRETCH OVER THE PULLEY.

For the record, the belt is the t246 150 tooth belt that comes in the kit from partsdinosaur.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

 

[Slo2gen]

Yep, its a TIGHT fit but once you get it on there one time the belt stretches just a wee bit and makes it easier the second time. The manual tensioner does require some modification to the rear timing cover just a heads up. The manual tensioner makes the belt tighter than the hydro tensioner. Just keep working with it!

 

[Twinturbo120]

Lol, you just reminded me of when I was installing mine. Same crap happened and on top of that it skipped 1 tooth. So I had to remove it and do it again. It doesn't really require that much muscle it's more of a technique. What I did was put the side of the belt on the side of the pulley. And then starting pushing upwards and towards the pulley. Works perfect every time.

 

[dmnall]

Lol, you just reminded me of when I was installing mine. Same crap happened and on top of that it skipped 1 tooth. So I had to remove it and do it again. It doesn't really require that much muscle it's more of a technique. What I did was put the side of the belt on the side of the pulley. And then starting pushing upwards and towards the pulley. Works perfect every time.

Well when I did my timing belt just recently, I bought the Gates TCKWP246A kit which as the belt T246, mechanical tensioner, idler and water pump. Over 2 weeks after taking the car apart the second time, because I could not keep the timing marks on the cams from going off by a tooth. What I did was just buy the Chrysler belt that I had on there *after paying a mobile ripoff mechanic to tell me that the T246 gates belt was not going to work* and it timed perfectly. Go figure but the gates t246 was really tight. Lesson learned, was not to trust a mechanic that I do not know . One tip I will add is Make sure there is no slack around the cams otherwise a tooth off timing.

HTH,
Charlie

 

[kronus]

Thanks guys, ended up loosening both the idler and tensioner pulleys and that gave me enough room to wiggle the belt on.

 

[bullettdsm]

Thanks guys, ended up loosening both the idler and tensioner pulleys and that gave me enough room to wiggle the belt on.

Yup that's what I do. Well I only do one pulley but same thought process.

MB

 

[8BoltDSM]

I had problems the first time on a new belt too. But always goes on when all the idlers are loose just as you did. Congrats on solving this issue.