I used my snap on 3/8 drive torque wrench with it set to 7 ft lbs reading. I agree with the twist method concerns, there's no way you can twist the belt the same way twice. I'm most likely being super paranoid here.Tom wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 6:27 pmALEXtheGREAT wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:59 pm Quick question regarding the tensioning tool!
I successfully used it this past weekend but had a question of the "feel" of the belt. After using the tool and setting the timing belt tension to the "N" spec since my belt is new, I went to do the good old twist/ deflection test just to confirm. I noticed the belt only twists about 45 degrees and doesn't have much deflection. I had the cam gear set counter clockwise a tooth and a half during the tensioning. I'm just paranoid that the belt is too tight and it may eventually destroy the water pump bearing lol.
Is the 45 degrees of twist normal tension that should be felt when using the factory Porsche tool and/ or the carpokes tensioning tool? Am I being paranoid? Is the tension okay?
Thanks!
If you printed the tool and used a reasonably accurate torque wrench set to 7 ft. lbs., so that the wrench hit 7 just as the N pointed lined up with the chrome belt rail, then you should be right around the spec for a new belt. I've never been a fan of the twist method because it's so subjective and dependent on relative hand strength, etc. If you ask an NFL linemen and Peewee Herman to both tighten the belt until they can twist it 90 degrees, you're going to get two very different results. Even among typical shade-tree mechanics, how hard are you supposed to twist and how do you know how much is too little or too much. Also, there is no twist-spec for a new belt as far as I know -- so if 90 degrees is where people ultimately want to run the belt, then it must be something less than 90 when the belt is new? The factory new-belt spec of 4.0 is noticeably tighter than the used-belt spec of 2.7, yet that doesn't seem to come up when people talk about the twist method. Bottom line, I'd rely on the tool, properly used, over a subjective test with no verifiable reference points.
Professionally I've done quite a few timing belts so I'm probably just being really paranoid. The car is still on jack stands so I imagine after 500-1000km of driving when I go to do the re tension, the timing belt itself will become a bit more loose.
