tdc problem, again (god i hate tdc)

[pongorulz]

k, last time i had this problem, it drove me crazy, then i got it fixed and everything was fine.

heres my problem, i went to put my timing belt on today (new or course) and i had to put the front timing cover on so that i could get the crank to tdc. so far everything is fine. then i got the aux sprocket to match the little diamond logos (ok there), then i matched the triangle logos on the cam sprocket. so right now everything is by the book, word for word.

this is where i hit the bump. i went to put the belt on (just like how it says in the book), and it seem like theres too much slack on the back (aux to cam) side of the belt. how can i get rid of this, or is it natural? i dont remember there being that much slack on the tc block. of course i wasnt able to get it all back together to spin the crank ( i how did you guys get that stupid tensioner and spring in place??).

the manual says that once it all back together, to turn the crank to get rid of slack. wtf, that makes no sense. wouldnt that mane that the makes the belt tighter, wouldnt the lead to me being right back where i am, except on the opposite side

[nagelandy55]

Ya that tensioner is a pain in the butt. You gotta get everything lined up and make sure there's slack on the side that the tensioner goes on. then put the tensioner in. It took me quite a while to get it right, just keep trying.
The tensioner should go on with one main bolt and another one that can slide for adjustment.

[pongorulz]

man, what a dumb design, gimme a chain anyday

is there any special process that you used, or tools. i tried to a screwdriver and prybar. i just dont understand the book when they talk about how to mess with the tensioner

[flyin]

Next time set the motor to tdc before you take off the front cover, remove the cover and use a marker or paint a mark on the crank pulley and engine block so that you don't have to reinstall the cover to check timing.

[fordnut71]

you can do it with a long handle pry bar.use the square side of the bar on the back of the bolt an use it to pry up under the tensioner wheel. some times its handy to have another person tighten it down while u hold it. iv done many 2.3 timing belt this way.

[pongorulz]

kool guys thanx. i gotta wait a few days befor i can go back to putting it on, i broke the back timing cover so i hafta order a new one ( i know i dont NEED it, but incase in ever hafta do this again, i want me tdc marks to be true). so my buddy from ford is gonna order it for me, hopefull ill have it by next friday.