[hobiecat]

Originally Posted by markwemple

So you wouldn't use it on the t-belt, just the balance shaft belts?

Well....actually...I didn't "word" that precisely. Now that I've used it a few times, and compared
it to the Arnnworx tool.....it's pretty damn close. Close enough not to really matter
that much. In my opinion........

Yeah...it's hard to get the krikit tool to work on the timing belt, but....regardless....it's fairly close. And unless
you're anal beyond belief......and REALLY want to get it perfect (which ain't even considered
possible on a 944 - depending on your perspective) it's still close enough for me.

[9toofaresser]

FWIW - I haven't had a problem with the Kriket on the timing belt. It seems to work fine, and is near the middle of the tension range for the device.

But, the balance belt tension is so low, you can barely read it on the Kriket. I usually just estimate it by hand and ear. If the balance belt makes a whining sound, it's too tight.

[markwemple]

I was told to tension the balance shaft belts to the point where they feel a little loose and they will be just right?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by markwemple

I was told to tension the balance shaft belts to the point where they feel a little loose and they will be just right?

Is that a scientific measurement?

You want to be able to pull them like a rubber band and they will snap back into place.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by markwemple

So you wouldn't use it on the t-belt, just the balance shaft belts?

Mark. Read the whole thread and Clark's Garage before commenting.


The later cars, 87/88+ have a tensioner device in there takes up all the extra space. There is no place to fit the Kriket tool (we tried), thus the genesis of this thread. I don't know the year of your car, but it probably doesn't have the tensioner and you can use the Kriket tool. I used it on my '86 and on the '84 engine I installed when I blowed up the orginal.

[9toofaresser]

If you overtighten the balance belt a little, your car will sound like
a 944 Turbo. It's really cool....try it!
.
.

[VaSteve]

Found an old photo....this is the engine that went into my 86. See all the open space? That's where you measure the timing belt. The newer cars fill this space with the auto tensioner.

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Found an old photo....this is the engine that went into my 86. See all the open space? That's where you measure the timing belt. The newer cars fill this space with the auto tensioner.

Great pic.....no wonder I found 18 Cheerios in the air/oil separator last weekend

[markwemple]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Mark. Read the whole thread and Clark's Garage before commenting.


The later cars, 87/88+ have a tensioner device in there takes up all the extra space. There is no place to fit the Kriket tool (we tried), thus the genesis of this thread. I don't know the year of your car, but it probably doesn't have the tensioner and you can use the Kriket tool. I used it on my '86 and on the '84 engine I installed when I blowed up the orginal.

Steve, I was replying to a specific post and thereby the confusion. Jeez. Yes the motor in and out are 85.5s. Finally saw the new one today. Work to begin this weekend, hopefully.