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Author Topic: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring  (Read 2572 times)

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Offline 1973FordPinto

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73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« on: December 23, 2014, 06:46:14 PM »
I need a replacement bolt and spring for the timing belt tensioner on a 73 pinto, 2.0 engine, 2-door sedan.
It's way too loose to hold the timing belt on tight.  Does anyone have these parts or know where it can be located?
We've got the engine running for the first time in 8 yrs. and it sounds great. 

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2014, 07:07:33 AM »
Congratulation s on getting it running.  Just in case you did not notice, that spring does not hold the belt tension.  The spring is only used in setting the initial belt tensioning.  After the two tensioner plate bolts are torqued, the tensioner spring does nothing (except maybe as a backup if something loosens).  If it really is too loose, I suspect the initial tensioning procedure could be improved.

I have those parts used from 71-72 engines, should be the same as on 73 engine.  If wanted, just PM me your mailing address and name for use on one of those small USPS fix rate boxes, cost too small to hassle with (no charge). 
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline amc49

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2014, 04:57:58 PM »
The bolt is not left loose, it runs in tight and the spring is not used thereafter, only for setup like mentioned. If bolt is loose even when tight then I would suspect head threads as well. If someone ever bothered to read a number on belt tension there one could set it with no spring at all........... ........

Time cam and then rotate engine around several times CLOCKWISE to even tension out with spring bolt backed off loose a 1/2 turn or so and then stop and tighten the bolt fully. Spring then is doing nothing but the tension is already set.

Oh............ .............. .Merry Christmas

Offline 1973FordPinto

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2014, 06:07:57 PM »
Thanks.  We'll use your ideas.  Appreciate your help.

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2014, 06:42:27 PM »
Just a word of caution when rotating the engine with the tensioner plate bolts not torqued.  Rotate the engine in the normal direction only.  Rotating the engine backwards will compress the spring some allowing too much slack and possibly slipping the teeth.  I did this once (rotating it backwards with the bolts loose) trying to line up the marks and promptly stripped the teeth off a new belt.
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2014, 07:42:53 PM »
Looks like we were typing at the same time, I just responded to your PM.  My parts are from 71-72 Pinto's with no AC.  So I do not have the center vent which looks like a AC only item.  I may have left/right registers, I will look tomorrow when it is light.  Are your's the type with ganged vertical louvers or the horizontal rotating one piece louver?
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline amc49

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2014, 02:53:49 AM »
Why I capitalized the word 'clockwise', it is good practice to NEVER turn a timing belt backwards if you can help it, many will jump time easily doing that, the tension is set up to only hold one way on many engines. Also, if timing the engine actively at that time the timing will be incorrect if you rock motor backwards even a little. I ALWAYS as a rule when turning engine to check timings slow down close to the stopping point and end with a slow, delicate last move in normal direction of rotation. It keeps all slack stacked up at the tensioner just like when the engine is running.

Offline 1973FordPinto

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2014, 12:41:51 PM »

Thank you for the detailed info about the tensioner bolt, timing belt and correct rotation of the engine.  We were aware of this and actually followed the procedure described in your post.  Also setting the crankshaft on the right degree for an automatic transmission and putting the number one piston at TDC, as well as, setting the distributor rotor to the number one plug wire.  We got the car started, made adjustments on the air and fuel intake on the carburetor.  She’s purring like a kitten.  Thanks again for your input.

Offline amc49

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Re: 73 Pinto timing belt bolt and spring
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2014, 08:15:28 PM »
Groovy........ ..........