90q Timing Belt Job q

[Andrei Kogan <abk@phy.duke.edu>]

Tony,

since you have just been there, I would like to ask you a couple of things. 
1. I am unsure about the cam pulley alignment: the book says "the top edge
of the gasket", however
when I look at the way the old belt is positioned, it looks more like the
mark is ligned up with the
top edge of the bracket that holds the valve cover in place. Is this wrong,
or is this difference insignificant?

2. How difficult is it to remove/ install the Idler pulley? Also, the local
parts people want $70  for it, and since the old one feels normal (no
grinding) I am reluctant to spend $$. Is that a fair price? The car has
160,000 on it, maybe it can wait till the next TB job?

3. I am amazed by how lose the old belt feels. Strangely, it seems to pass
the twisting test (90 degree twist is about what I get) yet when I let it
go, it can easily flex at least an inch or may be more if I press on it
between the pump and  the cam pulley. Also, if I slowly turn the
cranckshaft, I can clearly see a delay in the cam pulley, until the slack
is picked up. Does that sound right, or is it too lose? The fit on my 4k
was much tighter.



Andrei