M20 Timing Belt Recommendations

[dlmpsy]

It's time for a timing belt replacement and I am wondering if anyone has used the "racing" Gates TB131RB belt? I currently have a Continental and if something is "better" I would like to use it. Thanks....

[McGyver]

Continental has been the standard for years. The Gates is supposed to be an upgrade. Anything special about your application? (Higher redline, race engine that will sit near redline for hours, etc.) The continental is as good as it gets for 99% of cars, and is probably all you need.

[cheffy30]

my daily for 21 years... 4th continental. zero problems sent from hell using Tapatalk

[e30austin]

i have only ever installed the Continental belts (5yr/50k intervals) and have never had an issue.

[Vincenze]

I expect that a "racing" belt is designed for frequent changes like after 5,000 miles.
I read the Gates racing belt is more stiff than a regular one.

Gates offers a regular timing belt too.

[dlmpsy]

Thanks for the replies. I don't drive my car much since I live on a rough, one lane road and I worry about getting ran into the ditch...life has been keeping me busy the last few years as well. I've had the car since about '94 and do upgrades when possible. The current belt is about seven years old, but has less than 4,000 miles on it. I'm concerned about the age of the belt at this point. I am hoping to drive it more this Summer and was curious if this "racing" belt had a good record with fellow M20 owners and thought it might have a longer lifespan than a traditional belt.

[digger]

I expect that a "racing" belt is designed for frequent changes like after 5,000 miles.
I read the Gates racing belt is more stiff than a regular one.

Gates offers a regular timing belt too.

No it is not the case of more frequent changes being required. The gates blue belt has materials superior in every way except cost. The life would be higher than stock but without statements from them in regards to the specific interval for an m20 the stock interval will more than suffice.

[ADEN]

Timing system in M20 is robust i discovered that my stupid mech. Installed the timing belt with no screw and spring only the tensioner pully torqued tight (fixed tension), Luckily, Belt went ok for more than 5 years till i opened it one month ago for engine rebuild.

[digger]

Timing system in M20 is robust i discovered that my stupid mech. Installed the timing belt with no screw and spring only the tensioner pully torqued tight (fixed tension), Luckily, Belt went ok for more than 5 years till i opened it one month ago for engine rebuild.

the tension is supposed to be fixed/locked in place, albeit you are supposed to use the spring plus a smidge extra before it gets locked off

[ADEN]

the tension is supposed to be fixed/locked in place, albeit you are supposed to use the spring plus a smidge extra before it gets locked off

So you are saying that running with no spring and bolt is ok?and timing has to be tight fixed?

[digger]

So you are saying that running with no spring and bolt is ok?and timing has to be tight fixed?

depends, the spring sets the tension and then the tensioner is locked in place. if you remove the spring after tension is set and locked it's fine as the spring is not doing anything

[ADEN]

depends, the spring sets the tension and then the tensioner is locked in place. if you remove the spring after tension is set and locked it's fine as the spring is not doing anything

Please check your info as i read some instructions that you just have to torque the pully by hand only so that the spring varies the tenstion when in move???

[digger]

Please check your info as i read some instructions that you just have to torque the pully by hand only so that the spring varies the tenstion when in move???

after you rotate the engine twice you are supposed to lock it off to retain/lockin the spring tension

[ADEN]

Ok thanks for the good info.