Timing Belt...NEED HELP!

[240sxed]

Ok so im in the middle of my timing belt job, im confused if I really need these tools...

First I believe I got the damn thing at TDC







Now, after i took off the cover, I put back the CAS thinking that if the crank tuned at all it would throw off the CAS, is that correct? or should i just leave the CAS out.

In the FSM it says to use a puller and a ring gear to afix the flywheel.

Can i get the ring gear at any autoparts store? or do i need it? can i use something else?

The puller, do I need it? Or can i just get off that 27mm (I think) bolt? I was able to get it off with an impact gun with no hitch at all, no turning of the crank. But... should i remove the crank thing wthout a puller. I haven't really tried yet, cuz im afraid it'll come off and then move the crank or something?

Any advice?!? Im kinda afraid to throw the timing off or something... if anyone can help me i'd appreciate it, if you can call that'd be great

hers my # 415-568-5551

[goofynick6]

Pretty sure the CAS can come off since it has a little notch or whatever that only lets it go in one way. The flywheel needs to be held so you can remove the crank pulley. You don't need the tool, a large screw driver or a clamp or something can hold the flywheel, because you don't want the cams to turn. Mark the new timing belt with white JUST like the old one is marked and that way it will line up with the marks on the cam gears and be properly set like the old one was.

Nick

[Slo_240sx]

Like Nick said the CAS is slotted and only goes on 1 way and it doesn't need to be on to change the belt. You alreayd have it marked so you are set there. Since you already zipped the crank bolt off theres to need to hold the crank. Make sure its all stil at TDC and make sure you do not rotate the belt counterclockwise because it will put slack on the wrong side of the belt and may damage internal parts. Also don't rotate the cams or crank while the belt is off. You should be able to somewhat pry the pulley off with 2 screwdrivers the assembly should not rotate and if it does the belt is still on so no problem there. Now you can either use screwdrivers or a puller either one works. -Alex

[fly240]

I'm thinking of changing mine too. I have no ideal of what i'm suppose to do, let us know when you get yours' going..

[wawazat8402]

I'm thinking of changing mine too. I have no ideal of what i'm suppose to do, let us know when you get yours' going..

its much easier to change with the engine out of the car, but can be done with the engine in but before the rad gets installed. as far as what to do, get the fsm and it has step by step instructions as well as all of the torque specs.

[240sxed]

Iknow the tightening specs, but im confused as to how I check them? I use a torque wrench and just torque it to those specs on the tensioner? O

Oh by the way I used a puller, way easier...heh. Lets say that crank does move while taking it off, can I just rotate the flywheel so that the crank turns clockwise, and line up the tdc on the cams again?

Other thing, to get the lower cover off, do you need to take the lower gear off, or do you have to pull the waterpump pulley off? Im doing a water pump anyways, but im trying to get the cover off first, and if I have to pull the pulley from the water pump out, im going to need another type of puller.

[goofynick6]

Is the rb20 an interference engine? If so, don't turn the crank w/o the timing belt hooked up...the valves could hit the piston and cause bad things to happen.

Nick

[WDRacing]

You can spin the RB20 all day long with the belt off and the valves will never touch.

You can simply remove the belt at any time. Remove the crank pulley, swap out the belt, reinstall the crank pulley, make sure the cowling is on first, position the crank at TDC, slide belt over cam gears that should also be set to TDC and tighten the tensioner, reinstall the CAS bracket and CAS, reinstall the front cover...done.

WD

[OKCA18DET]

hold on...why do u have to mark it in the first place?if u see that the lil indention (hole looking thing) is lined up just put the belt on? why do u have to mark it if the bet has X amount of grooves and X amount of teeth it shouldn't matter how it goes onright?

[WDRacing]

You don't have to mark anything...Simply use the marks that come from the factory.

[goofynick6]

Nice..non interference engines rule.

You can mark the new timing belt with white marks in the same spot. That way, when you put the new belt on, you'll be sure you're not putting it on with the gear one tooth off or something.

Nick

[WDRacing]

If it ends up one tooth off the cam gears won't be lined up...trust me. I jerked mine around like 70 times while I was in Okinawa. It's either on there right or it aint.

I did however mark the dots on the cam gears with a paint pen to assist in the alignment.

I found out they were no intereference when I snapped a belt after I locked up a rod bearing. Would have been really ugly otherwise.

[240sxed]

What happens if you accidentally turn the crank backwards, like once or twice, no more than 90 degrees? =T.

[240sxed]

So tommorow im gonna do my water pump. If im not mistaken I need a puller to get the water pump pulley off the waterpump?

Also, what kind of sealer/gasket material do i use on the back of the waterpump once i scrape it off and get all the gasket off? Is it just like any other gasket like for an oil pan?

[WDRacing]

The pulley is part of the pump. The sealant I used was High temp RTV. Can be bought at any Autozone/Checker supply store. I even think Lowes/Home Depot carry it.

The crank can be spun all day everyday in either direction with no problems.

WD

[240sxed]

WD, im talking about the thing the belt goes on ? In the new water pump it doesn't have it, so im assuming I have to use a puller to remove it from the old one? PUt it on the new one?

[240sxed]

nevermind, all done, all good.

[Carl H]

are you sure that they are not interference motors?i was certian that if the timing belt snapped that they went south, least every story ive heard on sau and sdu thats what happened.

[kouki-gymkhana]

It's my understanding that RB20s are non-interference while the 25 is definitely interference.

[WDRacing]

It's my understanding that RB20s are non-interference while the 25 is definitely interference.

Exactly, the RB20 can snap timing belts all day without having a piston touch a valve.

[Carl H]

Exactly, the RB20 can snap timing belts all day without having a piston touch a valve.

i really dont think you are right, if the rb26 and 25 are intereference engines why would nissan go out of their way to make the rb20 non interference.go on sau or sdu and search for interefence, and you will pull up tons of posts about ppl having their belts snap and bend or shear off all the valves on rb20s rb25 and rb26s.

[kouki-gymkhana]

As I said, that was my understanding. Clearly I could be wrong.

[WDRacing]

Carl, not to be a d!ck, but it doesn't matter what you think. I've turned over several RB20's by hand and with the starter without having the timing belt installed. The RB20DET IS a NON-Interference engine...period. So unless you can PROVE othewise. Simply stop saying you doubt it. Cause your only going to confuse anyone looking for the CORRECT answers.

Thanks

[Carl H]

well believe whatever you want but the rb20 is an interference motor, unless you are willing to prove to me otherwise by throwing a rock into the timing cover with the engine running.im gonna venture a guess that you were a lucky bastard for doing something as stupid as turning the motor over with the cam belt off, why would you do that?i guess on the off hand chance that all the valves were closed it worked out ok but really, why would you spin an engine where the cams arnt in sync with the crank (ok you could do it on a rotary but then again it has no valves);interference or not it just seems like a dumb thing to do.so for some reading here:http://www.skylinesaustralia.c...renceand herehttp://www.skylinesdownunder.c...rencebut wait one morehttp://www.skylinesdownunder.c...rence

[JonPowell]

All this talk about RB20's and noone noticed that his is an Rb25...the intake cam gear kinda gives it away...

[OKCA18DET]

is this the part where u can insert an "owned"?

[WDRacing]

When you snap a timing belt and the motor continues to turn over...duh.

Think what you want Carl, I could give a crap.

Our discussion of this ends here. Any further posting will only be deleted. Thanks for coming out.

[PsiloX]

The RB20DET IS an INTERFERENCE type motor. I have the bent intake valve to prove it. To prove it to the rest of you. Set the motor at TDC. Now try rotating the cams by hand with the belt off of course. They will stop after about 135 deg of rotation.

[WDRacing]

HUH...never had any contact on any of the several RB20's I had swapped into my Skyline. I swapped the cams, heads and hole motors out quite a few times and never had any issues with contact at all.

Like I said, I've snapped the belt and turned the motor over with the starter and never made contact.