Timing belt up grade

[Hambo]

Can the wider 18 vvt belt be used in a strat swap with the narrower non vvt belt?
Cam pulleys,water pump,tenshner all have space for the wider belt,but crank shaft pulley width and
over all belt lenth are the unknow.

[DDtB]

If only we knew a mechanic ..... surely they'd know!!!

[steve_weegie]

The bottom crank shaft pulley is the same for all K series so it will be fine

Not sure on belt length, but I do know that the VVC uses a manual tensioner so it may be different....

/non mechanic faction/

[Hambo]

There is niver a TV reper man when you need one,Just sum bobgy sales man with a help line number £1.50 per min

[steve_weegie]

Hambo, you should get a number like that - you'd be quids in the next time im working on the car

[Rich H]

Get one and have a look, if it doesnt fit flog it to the next VVC belt change DIYer

Even better get to your local friendly parts place and compare them.

[roadboy]

Original VVC belt is actually narrower than the non-VVC belt and a different length. The later VVC belts are wider (26mm instead of 23mm) but still a different length.

Actually all this talk of VVC and non-VVC is confusing as the only difference in belts is the tensioner. Early non-VVC engines had the manual tensioner with the narrower belt and all VVCs use the manual tensioner and same belt. The later non-VVC engines had an automatic tensioner with the wider (26mm) belt.

HTH

Dan@JPS

[Hambo]

Just removed belt from non my vvt and fited a old wider vvt one.
Same number,pitch of teeth and all timeing marks line up
Anay thots apart from DO NOT START IT

[Scottd]

Original VVC belt is actually narrower than the non-VVC belt and a different length. The later VVC belts are wider (26mm instead of 23mm) but still a different length.

Actually all this talk of VVC and non-VVC is confusing as the only difference in belts is the tensioner. Early non-VVC engines had the manual tensioner with the narrower belt and all VVCs use the manual tensioner and same belt. The later non-VVC engines had an automatic tensioner with the wider (26mm) belt.

HTH

Dan@JPS

Ah!! That'll be how I managed to buy the wrong (non-VVC) belt from Elise parts then (who IIRC neglected to mention there may be a difference)!

[steve_weegie]

Just removed belt from non my vvt and fited a old wider vvt one.
Same number,pitch of teeth and all timeing marks line up
Anay thots apart from DO NOT START IT

Hambo, you must have a manual belt tensioner then If all the marks line up, from bitter experience, I'd reccomend turning the bottom pulley a couple of times and rechecking everything including the belt tension

Oh and DO NOT START IT...... at least until you've triple checked eveything

[Hambo]

Tipex no tool box shood be with out it

[steve_weegie]

Tipex no tool box shood be with out it

Used it for marking my head bolts - its great

[Hambo]

Thay do it TOLUENE free now dus not stik or smeal as good as the old stuf
Looking up part numbers for Power grip timing belts as Partco cude not cross refrenc it to day

[steve_weegie]

Get some thinners for the tippex - that still smells the same

I got my Gates kit at Pentland Components, including the tensioner for about £35 AND they had it in stock. They're in Edinburgh though, so might not be convenient for you....

[roadboy]

Auto tensioner belt - 5497XS

Manual tensioner belt - 5238XS

HTH

Dan@JPS