PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: rramjet on September 30, 2013, 08:11:25 PM
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My timing belt tensioner has a spring on it however I think the tensioner was just locked down with the bolt. I've done a little web searching on the subject and it seems many don't even use the spring they judge belt tension by being able to twist the long section of the belt about 90 degrees.
Anyone else running the spring and if so is it intended to establish the tension then the tensioner mount bolt is just tightened at that point?
Guess I could just go read my manual, but this is so much more fun.
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According to Ford manual the spring puts on the required tension then tighten the bolt, kinda takes out the guess work..
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Thanks.
That's pretty much what my Chilton book says too. Guess I'll do both. Put the spring back on and see how much twist I get on the belt, in case the spring has lost some of it's strength after 95K miles.
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Kinda wondered that myself, maybe I missed it but I couldn't find any specs for that spring?, maybe they're supposed to be replaced after a certain time as routine maintenance schedule?..
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I wouldn't worry about it, the spring does nothing once bolt is tightened down. If tension falls off no real biggie anyway. The later stuff nowadays (zetec) uses so little tension most people have a tendency to overtighten them. It often fails the belt since belt has no real guides, tightening it then makes the belt steer to pulley edge where it frays and DNF.
The spring is actually only correct with a NEW belt, once belt is run in then the spring is actually too much. Meaning you should not back off the tensioner unless changing the belt. Backing off to retension later in belt life shortens it, the tension is SUPPOSED to drop off as engine runs, the lower tension later allows belt to last longer.
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The 2.3 has one belt guide on the crank.
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Good info and makes sense.
I'm putting a new belt and tensioner on but using original spring. Belt was ok just figured since the head was off and I had no way of knowing how lold the belt and tensioner were but guessing original it was best to do both.
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When I got the wagon I changed it out, just for peace of mind.
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My bad, I meant later stuff like now. I have three zetec powered cars and people have pure fits trying to tension those things since they use like 1/5 the tension these Pinto motors do.
2.3 SOHC actually guided on both sides, one at the crank (front limit) and other at top behind cam sprocket, it has a back limiting plate.
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Yep, forgot about the top one. Yeah, new stuff is all different now..
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My bad, I meant later stuff like now. I have three zetec powered cars and people have pure fits trying to tension those things since they use like 1/5 the tension these Pinto motors do.
2.3 SOHC actually guided on both sides, one at the crank (front limit) and other at top behind cam sprocket, it has a back limiting plate.
My 2.0 also has a guide behind the crank pulley and behind the cam sprocket.