t-belt questions

[long tall eta]

guys, i'm doing my first t-belt job so i'm starting this thread for you guys to help me along.
first question, i have an 86 es w/ a build date of 11/85. do i have a 2 piece crankshaft hub? will i have to remove it when doing the job. bently says i will if early model. is mine an early model?
more questions to follow i/m sure.
thanks guys

[jlevie]

Your car is not an "early model".

[long tall eta]

Your car is not an "early model".

thanks jim
next question
does removing the hood make the job easier to the point that i should?

[E30_fiend]

Yes remove the hood. It would be a pain if you didn't

[Cletonius]

Yes remove the hood. It would be a pain if you didn't

Yeah, doing the job with the hood in place is much harder

[Cabriolet]

upgrade your intermediate shaft pulley to a late model cast one.

[jlevie]

I never remove the hood to change a timing belt and I don't know any pro's that do that either. Access would be a bit better, but the additional labor isn't worth it.

[long tall eta]

I never remove the hood to change a timing belt and I don't know any pro's that do that either. Access would be a bit better, but the additional labor isn't worth it.

hmmmm, now i'm maybe reconsidering taking off the hood?????????????

[Cletonius]

I never remove the hood to change a timing belt and I don't know any pro's that do that either. Access would be a bit better, but the additional labor isn't worth it.

It takes 10 mins total to remove/reinstall a hood. If you mark it when you remove you can usually get the alignment on the first try.

I can see why a shop wouldn't pull the hood but at home where most work with hand tools it kinda makes sense.

Plus, E30 hoods are like sails. They're dangerous for those of us who have to wrench in parking lots.

Edit: had a hood take a nice gouge out of my back at the yard once. The guide at the back got me.

[S62]

My words of wisdom: Don't fuck up the timing

[long tall eta]

My words of wisdom: Don't fuck up the timing

yea, i know, check, double check and then recheck again all the marks are lined up before buttoning her back up.

[PNWDan]

I will add that even though nobody does it, I put medium locktite on the tensioner bolts. the only reason I do is because I had one back out once and thats once too much for me..

[EtaSax]

Just did this job less than a week ago. It wasn't too bad, just messy.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON THE THREAD/MANUAL OF YOUR CHOICE!!!
It makes things so much easier than haphazardly tearing into your engine. Ask me how I know...

What kit are you using? If it's the Bavarian Autosport kit, it might have a whine after you do it. Mine is whining and is worringly yet to cease. The sound has decreased, so I'm hoping that the belt is wearing in properly. Hopefully you won't even have to hear these sounds... Hopefully I WON'T hear these sounds sooner rather than later...