timing belt kits

[matthewb]

Can someone clear up the difference in the early at late timing belt kits for me. Looking at pelican there are 32mm and 46mm "water pump roller" sizes. Is the water pump roller the smooth one that is across the belt from the water pump pully or is it a toothed roller?

I am working on an 86 car and the smooth pulley across from the water pump does seem to be about 46mm in diameter but according to the year it should have the 32mm i think. This does have the "belt guard" that keeps the timing belt from catching itself near the water pump. Does that mean it is the later water pump and someone put the larger pulley on or what?

Help me out guys.

Thanks

[smokin_944]

Its probably an updated older pump, 944 106 021 13 or 951 106 021 01. Does it have the block off plate in place for the non turbo engine? The newest pumps have the block off plate.

[zedsn]

If you have the belt guard you have the updated pump and will need the larger roller. The smaller roller came with the early original pumps with no belt guard. Hope this helps.

[matthewb]

Thanks for the information. Does it really matter which roller goes on. It seems like there is nothing to force you to use one or the other so if the bigger one is the newer "upgrade" then why do they even offer the smaller one? That is a serious price difference in kits too. It is actually cheaper to get the kit with the small roller and just buy an individual big roller to go with it. Is there anything else in the kit that would be different to keep me from doing this?

Thanks

[zedsn]

Hi, yes it does matter. if your pump requires the larger roller you need to use the larger roller. I made the mistake of getting the larger roller with the early water pump and it wouldn't work. I am assuming the smaller roller being smaller will not work properly on the pump.