308 Timing Belts / Tensioners - How difficult to do with the engine out? | FerrariChat

308 Timing Belts / Tensioners - How difficult to do with the engine out?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Mike328, Dec 19, 2003.

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  1. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie
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    #1 Mike328, Dec 19, 2003
    The engine is coming out this winter for a massive hose replacement, valve adjust, and some syncro work in the gearbox.

    How difficult is it to do the timing belts and tensioners with the engine out?

    In general, is this job made as difficult and time intensive as it is, because it's usually done engine-in through the wheel well? Or is it pretty much the actual job of timing alignment and tensioner replacement itself that poses the biggest challenge?

    --Mike
     
  2. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    #2 Spasso, Dec 19, 2003
    Hi Mike,
    In my own experience, after working on cars for 30+ years, engine work is almost ALWAYS easier when the engine is bolted to a stout and stable engine stand or cradle, ESPECIALLY when it comes to a valve adjust on a 308 which I feel should be done with every belt job along with the tensioner bearings..

    Access is the key..........................................


    DJ
     
  3. peajay

    peajay Formula Junior

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    #3 peajay, Dec 19, 2003
    I recently did my 328 with engine in place, having the engine out will definitely make it much easier, so long as you remove all the spark plugs there is not much load when you crank the engine, so it should be pretty easy to hold the engine steady.
     
  4. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    #4 yelcab, Dec 19, 2003
    Let's see :

    Choice 1, engine in place: Crawl over the top of the carbs for 5-8 valve adjustment, sitting on the floor in the wheel well to fudge with the belts, tensioners, having no helper here because only one person can fit in the wheel well at a time, having to get out to look over the engine camshafts for alingment marks, and running around the back to see where TDC 1-4 really is.

    Choice 2: engine out, on a stand: Work comfortably on your feet, a helper can stand next to you for lending a hand, you're one step from the flywheel view, you're looking over the camshafts all the time, and your elbows are not hitting the gas tank.

    Yes, I would say choice 2, engine out is easier.
     
  5. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    #5 Verell, Dec 20, 2003
    Easier than w/Engine in for reasons everyone's so well stated.
    My $0.02.
     
  6. Wayne 962

    Wayne 962 Formula Junior
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    #6 Wayne 962, Dec 20, 2003
    Yes, but don't you have to consider the difficulty and special tools (engine lift crane) involved with removing the engine?

    -Wayne

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  7. Mike328

    Mike328 F1 Rookie
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    #7 Mike328, Dec 21, 2003
    Absolutely.

    As it turns out, I'll be pulling the engine anyway to replace the syncros in the gearbox.

    Understanding that the valve adjust and timing belts / tensioner service jobs are much easier with the engine out helps to justify the engine pull and also alleviate my frustration at having to DO IT in the first place for some worn syncros!
     
  8. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    #8 yelcab, Dec 21, 2003

    $149 for the engine crane at Kragen. If you are going to consider engine work, you're going to need one.

    And, if I were doing just the belt change, I personally would not remove the engine. But, that was not the original question asked here.
     

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