Hello,
I just got my rebuilt Pinto 2.0l engine running. We drove car this past weekend and it runs great! But, the belt is running off the back side of the Esslinger adjustable cam pulley. Instructions state that cam back plate should not be used.
 
It appears that the pulley I bought a few months ago doesn't have the same pully-to-hub offsest that the Ford pulley has so belt is not centered on pulley. And, the darn pulley wobbles on the camshaft. Looks like it was machined about .005" too much so its a very loose fit on cam. So I wrapped the cam with some .002 steel shim stock and I was able to fit Esslinger pulley onto shaft with a very tight fit. So it should be 'square' on cam and it doesnt wobble, but belt is running off back of pulley.
 
Any suggestions? I havent received any help from Esslinger. They act like there's no problem but other friends of mine have had the same issues. I guess the 2.0 isnt popular enough for them to redesign their pulley. But they did say they were going to have another production run this month.
 
Thanks,

Thanks for info, Brad! I was hoping they were aware of problem and would correct their design.
 
How did you modify the backing plate to work with E. pulley? You dont notice any wear on belt with it rubbing about backing plate?
 
Thanks,
 

I had that pulley on my 2.0 and didnt run a backing plate. However it ran in the center with no problems. WHY? because i milled my head parallel to the cam centerline within .0005" . Some people and even the factory will not have it right enough to make it track in the center. If the head is thinner in the front then it will track to the back and the reverse will come toward the front. It can also be in the block as well. That is the Deck not parallel with the crank CL.
 As far as the fit to the cam well id say thats a crappy fit myself and id have done the same. However when it bolts on all that really matters is that the back face of the pulley is true to the teeth. (The loose fit all by itself is not going to cause the tracking issue.) Otherwise it would "wobble" and the belt would be running back and forth on the pulley.


 I wouldnt worry about it and run the backing plate.

BTW, If your Crank pulley and or Aux pulley are not installed correctly( wrong side out or bevel not towards the crank shaft ) It can move the belt over on the Cam pulley.