cylinder head repair

[myfirst porsche]

OK all you 944 owners, has any of you actually taken the head off your car. I read in the haynes manual about special tools for tensioning both the balance shaft and cam belts. Also they talk about contacting the dealer for head bolt torque specs. What are the secrets to these issues. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Scott R]

Anyone who is a member of the "bent valve club" has removed a 944 head, or had it done somewhere. I pulled mine to swap in a better head gasket. It's not terribly difficult and the torque procedure is listed at "Clark's Garage."

As for tensioning the the belts special tools are necessary to perform the job correctly. The 9201 belt tension meter, the flywheel lock, and the balance roller spanner wrench. The spanner and flywheel lock can be had for a few bucks on Ebay, The 9201 will set you back several hundred. Best to borrow the tool if possible, there are three in my local PCA zone, including mine so we just let other members use them. Some shops loan them out as well.

[myfirst porsche]

Thanks Scott, very helpful I will look for the tools around the local area and on ebay

[SoCal Driver]

I set my timing belt to a C sharp.

[Scott R]

So the infamous "belt whine" should be a solid "C sharp" and then the tension will be dead on?