'86 951 Timing Belt, what else needs doing?
 

Hi guys,

I'm posting this question for my Dad. He's got 58,930 miles on his '86 951 and wants to have a new timing belt installed. He's on the coast of North Carolina, and I'm here in Colorado, so I can't really do much to help.

He asked me what else needs doing while doing the timing belt, but I'm not an expert on the 951, so I thought I'd come here to ask the brain trust.

What are the "while you're in there" essentials, and what will he need to do to properly replace the timing belt (I've read about the tensioner but don't know details).

Any tips and advice are very much appreciated.

Thanks

- Craig_D

The 1986 model does not have the auto tensioner. That was added for '87+.

Would recommend watching the videos by Van Svenson on youtube. Here is the first one -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqc0mm-7ukY

If no records for the water pump and thermostats, would do those as well. Can replace some of the coolant rubber hoses and do a "front engine" reseal -- seals for the balance shafts & crank shaft.

Thanks TR,

I'll have him watch the YouTube videos, which actually means I'll have to watch them and take notes. :)


so:
- Water Pump
- thermostat(s?)
- check/adjust cam chain tensioner
- timing belt
- check/replace coolant hoses
- front engine seals (balance and crank shafts)
- all engine belts
- ??

Anything else that should be done with the timing belt?

Thanks guys.

- Craig

There is no "cam chain tensioner" on an 8 valve car.

Should probably buy a "belt roller" kit, which will provide all the rollers and tensioners for the two timing belts.

Thank you, that's good to know. (air cooled guy, helping dad with cool water pumper :) )

That's great info! Thank you again!