Timing belt experience difficulty fitting the belt

[delcbr]

Downloaded the Vauxhall workshop manual from eBay for £12.
bought a continental timing belt kit belt

its true you don’t need any tools. apart from a small mirror to check alignment marks for this engine to do a timing belt.

continental Belt has marks that did not line up with Isuzu belt marks but same belt length 116 tooth.

Placed belt over camshaft pulleys but could not slip the belt over the bottom pulley it was so close but just not reaching it. I was proper sweating and panicking trying to get it on.

tried the old Isuzu belt it was the same couldn’t refit it.
had another shot of new belt and in the end managed to get it on I don’t know how.
then released the locking pin out the tensioner to apply tension to the belt.

checked timing started engine all good.

just wondering if anyone knows is there a knack to fitting the belt?

[northpole]

Always fit the crankshaft pulley first than work.ypur way up and leave the last bit to the nearest camshaft pulley to slip it on (sometimes one of the rollers is easier)... works for all timingbelt engines... locking tools make it easier as timing will be locked in place...

[delcbr]

The camshaft pulleys have belt guides on them to stop the belt coming off the pulley.
the crank pulley didn’t have a belt guide so slipped the belt over the crank pulley last.

[northpole]

The camshaft pulleys have belt guides on them to stop the belt coming off the pulley.
the crank pulley didn’t have a belt guide so slipped the belt over the crank pulley last.

In that case it would've been easier to slip it over one of the rollers last, they are smaller..needing less space to get them on.

As said it clearly depends in the engine layout... it os why I prefer chains over belts... although they are more expensive today and more involved to change they last longer. Putting said job off for quite sometime longer than a belt.

[delcbr]

Ahhhh I didn’t try that method will bear it in mind Thankyou