Well, as most of you probably know as Ive said it a few times, my timing belt is due to be changed soon. Now, also, my car is in the planning stage of a pretty serious NA build.

In regards to the timing belt, it is going to be done by a mechanic, not by myself for obvious reasons.

What excatly is involved in changing the timing belt on a TJ however. Does any part of the engine need to come apart, or is it simply belts that come off.

Reason being, is im trying to save labour costs. And if the heads, or cam have to be moved to change the timing belt, I may aswell throw my new heads, or cam in it at the same time.

Now, to the best of my knowledge, the timing belt is simply done without touching insides of the motor. But, i wanted to check.

could answer it for ya like most could but where would be the fun in that.
Try reading the workshop manual at the top of the tech page:D

Well, as most of you probably know as Ive said it a few times, my timing belt is due to be changed soon. Now, also, my car is in the planning stage of a pretty serious NA build.

In regards to the timing belt, it is going to be done by a mechanic, not by myself for obvious reasons.

What excatly is involved in changing the timing belt on a TJ however. Does any part of the engine need to come apart, or is it simply belts that come off.

Reason being, is im trying to save labour costs. And if the heads, or cam have to be moved to change the timing belt, I may aswell throw my new heads, or cam in it at the same time.

Now, to the best of my knowledge, the timing belt is simply done without touching insides of the motor. But, i wanted to check.

alot of time and a cool head if you done one before go ahead if not i recomend u get a mechanic to do it cause i thing out could cost u a new engine.

alot of time and a cool head if you done one before go ahead if not i recomend u get a mechanic to do it cause i thing out could cost u a new engine.

Car is going to the mechanic. 100% certain on that. However, my thinking is as follows, and correct me if im wrong.

In order to change the heads (which ive got a spare set waiting to be ported and polished), the timing belt has to come off anyway. So to save lavour, I might aswell do the timing belt, and heads at the same time. That being said, if the heads come off, a new cam might aswell be droped in.

Thats why I was wondering, what excatly is involved in a timing belt change. Is it worth doing the heads, cam and belt at the same time ? Or should I just do the belt now, and heads, cam at a later stage.

Get the lot done in one go man. Off the road for less time, and apart only once.

Steve

Get the lot done in one go man. Off the road for less time, and apart only once.

Steve

Thats easy to say, but, where does it stop ?

While the heads are out, the new pistons may aswell go in. Then, the rods may aswell be shotpeened, and ARP bolts fitted while the pistons are getting replaced. Then, ARP bolts may aswell be fitted into the crank.

Before you know it, you have mad a $500 timing belt change turn into a $10,000 engine rebuild, simply to save labour costs.

The line must be drawn somewhere.

The line must be drawn somewhere.
that is blasphemy it is madness.

Either way.. if you get heads, cams, bottom end work, etc.. done in the future, the timing belt has to come off for that anyway.

I've swapped several time belts on other vehicles and always the hardest part has been removing the crankshaft bolt, because it is difficult to stop the crankshaft pulley from turning.
The Magna may be different as there are two holes where you can lock the crankshaft pulley to the engine.

On other vehicles to remove the crankshaft bolt the easiest way was to tie a socket wrench onto the crankshaft bolt and turn the ignition on so the starter undoes the bolt.

I've swapped several time belts on other vehicles and always the hardest part has been removing the crankshaft bolt, because it is difficult to stop the crankshaft pulley from turning.
The Magna may be different as there are two holes where you can lock the crankshaft pulley to the engine.

On other vehicles to remove the crankshaft bolt the easiest way I found was to tie a socket wrench onto the crankshaft bolt and turn the ignition on so the starter undoes the bolt.

use a rattle gun

Thats easy to say, but, where does it stop ?

a $10,000 engine rebuild, simply to save labour costs.

The line must be drawn somewhere.

+1 for the $10,000 engine build... don't forget to post pics!!!!

:bowrofl: