Timing Belt Tensioner Pulley Question

[stcloudgsx]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my motor in my 1994 gsx after a broken timing belt and I'm putting the timing belt on. I have all the timing marks aligned but I have one question. Everything I've read about the tensioner idler pulley says that the two holes need to be on the top right of the bolt but there is no possible way to do this on this motor because the pulley hits the water pump. Is this pulley supposed to face a different way on the 1g 7 bolts or am I just missing something. Thanks
Anthony

[95talonracer]

Just tighten it so that there is about .15-.18 inch gap between the tensioner and the tensioner pulley bracket. I just did this for the first time my self last night and it took a bit to get it perfect. Make sure that it is between those specs so the belt doesnt jump gears or run too tight. A good way to measure is to use drill bits in the listed sizes. Good luck and let me know if it works out.

[sleepydsm]

I know that is a very confusing portion of the timing belt. You need to make sure the tensioner pulley bracket does NOT move while you are torquing that bolt on the tensioner pulley. The manual says start with the two holes lined up horizontally below the bolt. I took a 90 degree bent pick and used it to apply light pressure to the belt (it's about 2-3 ftlbs! so don't go crazy!). I pushed it up to the upper left (turn it clockwise basically). Then torque the pulley bolt to the 30-ish ftlbs. Don't freak out when the pulley moves a tiny bit towards the belt when you torque it. Then release the tensioner and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Make sure you pull anything out of the balance shaft "test hole" (if you have balance shafts) and then turn the engine over, I believe four times to make sure all the timing marks are lined up properly.
**note** In my Chilton, it says to turn the tensioner counter-clockwise, but that will not work with where the belt is placed. I can't remember why exactly, but yeah listen to my advice at your own risk. All I can say is that the all the DSM's I've done a timing belt on have been done correctly and have never had a timing belt-related issue.

[95talonracer]

Well put and just take your time and make sure it is right when done. Dont hurry on this part if anything. Of corse you dont want to be putting another timing belt plus internals in. Post how it goes.

[blageo23]

It is very important to do it right. But honestly if you are a tooth off when you do it you WILL know. When you are a tooth off the marks are WAY off(WAY off being 1/4inch). You'll see when you do it. and when sleepy say crank the engine over he means by hand. DO NOT START IT! until you know if is correct.

[stcloudgsx]

Well I finally got some time to put my timing belt on and this is what it looks like. I can't seem to get the cam gears to line up perfectly thought, when I put a straight edge acrossed them the middle lines are about 1/8" lower than the outside marks. Here are some pics so let me know if anyone sees anything wrong with what is done. Thanks
Anthony

[stcloudgsx]

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[1ViciousGSX]

The cam gears look like the marks are lined up correctly. I can't tell about the crank or oil pump drive from the pics though.

[stcloudgsx]

Alrighty thanks a lot. I'm positive I've got all of the other timing marks lined up correctly; Those were the only marks in question.