[Vwdiesel] changing the timing belt

[James Hansen]

  Should I take the cam-sprocket
> lose and realign?  I haven't run it any yet, other than to turn it over 
> by hand to see if things shift any more (it didn't).

The reason for loosening the cam sprocket, is because THIS IS THE MOST 
IMPORTANT PART of the procedure.  The cam to crank timing is critical. 
No, make that CRITICAL.  IF it wasn't, the pulley would be keyed to the 
cam, and a degree or two either way just wouldn't matter as much.

The whole point of the steps are to remove as much error due to 
differing belt lengths as possible.  It's impossible to make a belt 
produced last week EXACTLY the same as one made in 1982, so the 
procedure itself removes as much error as practically possible.  That's 
why you time the crank to the valves first, then the pump to the crank. 
  Doing it in that order removes any error accumulation.  There are no 
shortcuts that leave you with perfect results.


> 
> One other question:  The pully on the intermediate shaft is not a tight 
> fit on the shaft, it moves maybe a degree either way before the key 
> stops it.  I tightened the bolt down to about 70 ft-lbs.  Also, is it 
> normal to be able to slip this pulley around against the T-belt after 
> the tension is set on the T-belt?

Like Val mentioned, it shouldn't be loose.  Tightening the bolt should 
be putting tension on stuff, so better investigate.  Are you seeing the 
play at the keyway, or just feeling it on the pulley when turning it? 
If going by feel, it would be oil pump and vac pump play you feel?
-james