DOHC timing belt install tips

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by James614 »

Okay I'm re-positioning the timing belt on my EJ20G with the engine in the car, and as far as I can tell its physically impossible to see the marks for the lower passenger side cam sprocket or accurately count teeth. Anyone have some super-secret tips for DOHC setups?

Also, any good way to hold the belt on those sprockets?
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by Legacy777 »

Something like this works to hold the belt to the sprocket.

Image
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
wtdash
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2345
Joined: Fri May 04, 2007 4:09 pm
Location: N. ID

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by wtdash »

I used something similar...of course, w/engine OUT it was easier. Do you remove the radiator for more access?
I'd go read up on the USMBsite. Should be tips/tricks over there....you definitely want to count the teeth, IMHO.

Image

GL,
Td
Turbo Subies:
'87 GL-10 Turbo - SOLD
'90 BJ EJ22T/DOHC & 5speed swap - SOLD
'04 FXT, Forged internals, VF39, STI TMIC, Cobb AP- SOLD
'93 Legacy SS - 5-speed, SOLD :-(
'02 WRX -SOLD
'96 BD-turbo'd-SOLD
'98 SF - NA-T
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by James614 »

I bought similar clips and it made install much easier. But I had the cam gears 90* off from each other (had the belt lines up on the double marks). How hard is it to replace valves on a DOHC head?

:-(
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by cj91legss »

Probably not much harder than a sohc, the valves come out the same way. You can get this fancy guy if you don't have anything to get valve springs compressed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPANY23-VALVE ... e8&vxp=mtr
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
martimus919
First Gear
Posts: 222
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:21 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by martimus919 »

I use a small mirror to check my marks after marking them with a white out pen to make them easier to see.

I also have two of these tools, one at work and one at home and they work amazing. They however do not work on 08+ STi's.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-36880-Dual- ... CAM+HOLDER
07 Outback XT VF52
94 Legacy Sport, VF23, 550 RobTune, various other things
93 Legacy Touring Wagon EJ205 management and dash swap (in progress)
90 Loyale Turbo, EJ Turbo Swap, 2" lift
82 Brat, EJ22 swap, RX AWD trans w/ LSD rear, 5 lug 4 wheel disc.
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by James614 »

How does that lock tool attach?
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
martimus919
First Gear
Posts: 222
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:21 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by martimus919 »

Sorry for the crapy pics, I just pulled them off Google real quick.

Image

Image
07 Outback XT VF52
94 Legacy Sport, VF23, 550 RobTune, various other things
93 Legacy Touring Wagon EJ205 management and dash swap (in progress)
90 Loyale Turbo, EJ Turbo Swap, 2" lift
82 Brat, EJ22 swap, RX AWD trans w/ LSD rear, 5 lug 4 wheel disc.
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by James614 »

I may have to pick that up. The left-side cams snapping shut with the belt off is a big problem too.

If only I had asked thus before the first time I tried to do the belt, I would probably be driving my car now.

I'm surprised the FSM doesn't specify a Subaru tool for locking the gears together during a timing belt service.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
martimus919
First Gear
Posts: 222
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:21 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by martimus919 »

I don't think I've ever done one that hasn't spun on me with out that tool.
07 Outback XT VF52
94 Legacy Sport, VF23, 550 RobTune, various other things
93 Legacy Touring Wagon EJ205 management and dash swap (in progress)
90 Loyale Turbo, EJ Turbo Swap, 2" lift
82 Brat, EJ22 swap, RX AWD trans w/ LSD rear, 5 lug 4 wheel disc.
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by cj91legss »

I've used vise grips with just enough tension on the gears to keep them in place and not damage them. Or I'll use a pair of grips and a quarter at the timing marks, pinch the belt between the quarter and the cam gear.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
martimus919
First Gear
Posts: 222
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:21 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by martimus919 »

I used vise grips once, ended up breaking the cam gear and that turned into a huge night mare.
07 Outback XT VF52
94 Legacy Sport, VF23, 550 RobTune, various other things
93 Legacy Touring Wagon EJ205 management and dash swap (in progress)
90 Loyale Turbo, EJ Turbo Swap, 2" lift
82 Brat, EJ22 swap, RX AWD trans w/ LSD rear, 5 lug 4 wheel disc.
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by cj91legss »

Yeah, you gotta be careful with those. Mostly if you have Plastic gears. I have 3 metal gears and 1 plastic gear on my engine.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
martimus919
First Gear
Posts: 222
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:21 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by martimus919 »

Metal you could get away with it. I had to keep going tighter and tighter to get it to hold, until it snapped.

All because I wanted to get the job done that night and forgot that holder at work.
07 Outback XT VF52
94 Legacy Sport, VF23, 550 RobTune, various other things
93 Legacy Touring Wagon EJ205 management and dash swap (in progress)
90 Loyale Turbo, EJ Turbo Swap, 2" lift
82 Brat, EJ22 swap, RX AWD trans w/ LSD rear, 5 lug 4 wheel disc.
dafrompa
First Gear
Posts: 118
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:20 pm
Location: York,Pa

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by dafrompa »

Driver side cams move after I take the off the clamps off. I have an old style tensioner. Sometimes the belt seems lose in between the 2 cans on that side. Looking for advice
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by mike-tracy »

Are you installing the belt with all the idler bearings installed? I leave the bottom one on the passenger side off when I install the belt. After putting on the belt, but before installing the last bearing, I use my breaker bar to rotate the crank towards the passenger side by several teeth. This puts enough slack in the lower part of the belt that I can install the bearing without stretching the belt at all. Obviously afterwards I rotate the crank several revolutions to ensure timing is still on.

Maybe a second set of hands with a small breaker bar on one of the driver side cam gears would help them not slip as you install the other side.

I'm a visual guy, and I have referred to this video more than once: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1PunROR3VU
I believe it is our very own Jamal.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
dafrompa
First Gear
Posts: 118
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:20 pm
Location: York,Pa

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by dafrompa »

I leave the lower bearing off till the timing setup then put the tensioner in place then tighten down release the pin then take off the clamp on drive side. Old style tensioner
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by kimokalihi »

Just get yourself a few of those black office clips and clamp the belt to the pulleys on the driver's side so it won't slip when you're putting it on. Pretty easy. The black metal clips with the chrome arms.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by Legacy777 »

Yes, that's a great idea. I used some clamps even on my ej22t install.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
dafrompa
First Gear
Posts: 118
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:20 pm
Location: York,Pa

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by dafrompa »

The video really helped. I was trying to slide it on like I've seen most YouTube videos not get the mark on the cam then more the cam like the video shows used my clips to hold the timing. I got the car to run today super stoked about it. Thanks for the help.
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: DOHC timing belt install tips

Post by mike-tracy »

Yay! Glad it worked
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
Post Reply