I have a 1979 Fiat Spider 2000 and would like to replace the timing belt. Bought a 124 Spider Shop Manual for $42 from VickAuto but it is useless.
I have been searching for online but there are conflicting information. Thank you in advance for your guidance.
QTD
I'm curious as to why you say this Shop Manual is useless, VickAuto's website says it's a reprint of the factory manual. Should be comprehensive?
Replacing the timing belt on a Fiat twin cam is fairly straightforward. Apart from the usual requirements to get the crankshaft and camshafts correctly aligned and the belt tension correct, the only other important point is to ensure that the auxiliary shaft pulley is also correctly positioned,(Iirc it's timing mark should be set at 23 degrees clockwise from the 12 o'clock position = 3 teeth on the periphery) otherwise the lobe or eccentric on the auxiliary shaft can collide with the crank. no. 2 big end.
Make sure the tensioner bearing is fit for re-use or replace it. Check the belt pulleys carefully if they're the plastic type as they can crack around the centre metal bush and if so, need to be renewed.
Tension the belt, not too tight, not too loose. I used to adjust the tensioner until I could just about twist the long run of the belt through 90 degrees. Rotate the engine by 2 complete turns by hand and recheck everything is still correct (you might have to re-tension the belt) before attempting to start the engine.
The timing marks should be in the manual you have, the rest is pretty straightforward.
If you haven't replaced any timing belts before, perhaps you could find someone to 'walk you through it' just to be on the safe side.
But as 124 Spiderman has said, if you get it wrong, you can wreck your engine (big time!). So be careful.
Any other questions, just ask.
Al.