Attempting Timing Belt Replacement...quick tips?

[TurboATM]

Ive read the Timing belt changing write up with some pictures tech article on the job, and think i can handle it. Timing is the one thing i never felt comfortable doing on my DSMs, there is no room for error on those...but the Camry is WAY more forgiving-i mess something up and i dont have bent valves and bruised pistons, it just doesnt run right.


Any quick tips that would help, that werent stated in the thread?

Also, being an All Trac, am I going to have issues trying to lift the motor up little bit to give me more room like the article shows?



Wish me luck!!!

[Grego 92]

It's doable by a first timer, because I did it! ..... that post also has the other threads/articles I used.

[71Corolla]

That guide is very good is covers pretty much everything. One trick I think works well to move the PS pump is to pinch/pull on the the belt before you remove it, I've done this a few times and it works great, instead of trying to find a location to pry the pump. You do need to support the front of the engine, and lift it up slightly to get the front mount off.

The horizontal mount bolt has a nut (not visible really) with a nub on it that hits the strut tower, that's what keeps it from turning. So when loosing the bolt, it might feel like you are twisting the bolt and breaking it, but it is just the nut rotating to the other side of the strut tower/stop.

Good luck.

Forgot to add, if you don't have a crank holder tool, or the tool you have is not strong enough, remove the starter (disconnect the battery first!) and jam a pry bar in there on the flex plate (I have a piece of a leaf spring that I use for this). If you do it right, the engine will defiantly not turn. With a breaker bar the crank pulley bolt will easily come off.

[Doctor J]

Be sure to include pictures with work in progress!

[white90dx]

I did a timing belt on my Alltrac in the driveway in a couple hours. It shouldn't be difficult for you...

The Alltrac doesn't have the bottom 'center' mount, and there is plenty of play in the axles and AWD system to let you move the motor up and down. You can use the starter 'bump' trick to loosen the crank bolt if you don't have air tools. Remember that the motor is tipped back in the engine bay and that the crank alignment marks are vertical to the motor, not the car.

Oh, and consider doing the water pump, idler pulley and tensioner while you are in there... Maybe even the crank and cam seals.

-Charlie

[TurboATM]

I did it!!!

I wasnt able to do the "mark and count the teeth" trick, since my car had jumped timing...it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be, just alot of stupid crap that was pissing me off along the way...busted knuckles and cramped space was the hardest part, lol


i did change the pulley and waterpump...i ALMOST forgot to do the water pump...i got the belt on when my buddy mentioned i didnt swap it, lol. Thank god for him!

[white90dx]

Nice!

How's the power now?

-Charlie

[TurboATM]

Originally Posted by white90dx

Nice!

How's the power now?

-Charlie

haha dude i prolly gained like 50hp...its actually quicker than i was expecting. Its no turbo car, but it gets up and goes.










...its no turbo car.....yet.

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by TurboATM

...its no turbo car.....yet.

Let me know when you need guidance on that.

-Charlie

[TurboATM]

ha, ill take any info i can get man!

My DSM turbo guru has a t3 housing that will fit any mitsu turbo, and would make it face the same way as the 3sgte types do...hoping i can make that work with a 14b or soemthing