British car experts

[dirtydisco]

This may be off topic, but I bet you guys know the answer or can at least help me out. I'm helping my dad out with his 1974 Jensen Healey (an old British car), because a) the timing belt keeps shifting and seems like its going to jump off the gears and b) the belt is whinning, yet with no noticeable wear. I've been on the Jensen Healey board and no one is helpful at all. The pix show the belts positioning. Any possible solutions? We've tightened/loosened the tensioner pulley with little effect. Let me know. Appreciate it.

 

[syoung]

does the belt always drift off the same direction? Can you ensure the cam gears are aligned with each other? My dad's had those before- I'll shoot him an email.

 

[az_max]

This may be off topic, but I bet you guys know the answer or can at least help me out. I'm helping my dad out with his 1974 Jensen Healey (an old British car), because a) the timing belt keeps shifting and seems like its going to jump off the gears and b) the belt is whinning, yet with no noticeable wear. I've been on the Jensen Healey board and no one is helpful at all. The pix show the belts positioning. Any possible solutions? We've tightened/loosened the tensioner pulley with little effect. Let me know. Appreciate it.

Does the tensioner have good bearings?

 

[maxyedor]

Does the tensioner have good bearings?

That would be my question too. Also is that the correct belt? It looks to be much narrower than the pullys, it may not matter or it could make all the difference in the world.

 

[dirtydisco]

Thanks guys for the input so far. The bearings in the tensioner could very well be the problem, thus meaning the belts going to have to come off anyways which I was hoping to avoid all together. Syoung - that would be great if you got some info from your dad, and yes it always drifts towards the engine block.

 

[dirtydisco]

..............................................bump

 

[dirtydisco]

Looked at it tonight, is there any way to check the bearings (without having to take the belt off )

 

[Rocky]

If I remember correctly this is a Lotus 2.2 engine.

If I'm right, wonder of a Lotus board (for the Esprit/Elite era vehicles, also Lotus Talbot Sunbeam) has the answer

Don't ignore the water pump bearings while you are in there.

 

[vanhorn2dallas]

im gonna bump this sucka since hes my dad too

 

[GregH]

Congrats on the Jensen-I always liked the DOHC 4 valve/cyl engine.

The whining does sound like bad tensioner bearings.

FWIW-I always replace the tensioner when replacing the timing belt-just insurance.

If tensioner is OK then check the cam gears for looseness or lateral play while NOT under tension. Remove the belt and see if one or both cam gears has any play in them. While under tension, you cannot feel any play but with no belt tension it becomes obvious. If this is the prob it will only get worse and there is no fix other than replacing the cam gear and possibly the cam itself if it is damaged.

If those check out, check the intermediate shaft gear for lateral play as well.

My 2 cents-

 

[GregH]

Tensioner replace info:

http://www.jensenhealey.com/tech/bearing/bearing.html

 

[edthediscoman]

X several on the bearings....remove belt and check for looseness in the geared pulleys.
British cars put the fun in dysfunctional.

 

[GWS]

DonC is a total brittish car nut. Send him a PM or E-mail.