Cambelt

[Erasure6]

Hello everyone could anyone help I’m looking at attempting my cambelt ,I’m a little confused that when i fit it it says that when you tension the belt ou have to set it to tensioning the belt at 60Degrees ATDC do I have to do that or can you just tension the belt on the timing belt fitment marks ?
Thanks

[dapinky]

I have always done it at the correct point - I don't know, but I think that the reason is to do with the fact that the belt is under the least stress at that point (in relation to piston position and valve openings), and it is where the engine will naturally sit when winding it over by hand.

I don't think that it needs to be an exact number of degrees.

I usually fit the belt, then wind the whole engine over a couple of times with a ratchet handle, and then another third of a revolution.

At that point I set the tensioner to give the appropriate deflection of the belt. In the absence of anything technical, I use a 10L water container, a piece of 2"x1" wood with marks at 7mm, and a steel straight edge across the top of the cam pulleys. Simply lie the steel across the top of the belt, put the bit of wood in the middle of the belt run, rest the water can on the top and see if the 7mm mark lines up with the straight edge.