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| Joined: | 05-01-2005 |
| Location: | Minneapolis, Minnesota USA |
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The original Gates T104 black timing belt is still available, and inexpensive. Or a more modern Gates Racing T104RB Blue belt is available that is far superior... but it's more expensive. It also lasts far longer between replacements, which makes it more desireable to many owners, and worth the price. Check with your Jensen-Healey specialists first... they can also set you up with the correct tensioner bearing for your model year.
You should invest in a proper tension gauge. The correct Burroughs BT-33-73F (aka SPX-OTC 6673) will set you back about $180 brand new retail. The Krikit KR1 is under $20. You get what you pay for.
Don't follow the timing belt tension spec in the J-H Workshop Manual. It's too low, and the manual was never updated. Even the tension spec given in the later Lotus manuals evolved over time, finally settling on 95 Burroughs.
For OEM & aftermarket BLACK timing belts, both trapezoidal and HTD....
.Burroughs = Krikit KR-1 ranges.
. . . . . <82 = 45 Park it... drive it at your own risk.
. . . . . . 90 = 50 Normal MINIMUM tension.
. . . . . . 95 = 52 For re-tensioning a USED belt.
. . .97-100 = 53-55 For installation of NEW belts, in order to allow for initial stretch.
. . . . >105 = 58 Too tight... it's going to whine.
ALWAYS read the Krikit’s POUNDS scale
Gates Racing Blue, HTD & Trapezoidal belts:
Burroughs = Krikit KR-1 ranges.
. . . 83-85 = 34-35 NEW Blue belts.
Gates Blue belts are so ‘tension stable’, that only one tension value is used for both new and used belts. Check the tension periodically as specified in the Service Schedule, but the blue belt will rarely require adjustment.
ALWAYS check/ set the tension on a cold engine before it has been started for the first time that day. The tension increases as the temperature increases, and is dramatically different on a hot engine.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Last edited on 05-21-2020 06:50 pm by Esprit2