Hi, I am in real trouble here (cross post from nasioc- i really need help on this, must have car running by friday)

I was changing my timing belt (and head gasket), and either the previous owner, or the factory tightened the tentioner to a 1000 ft/lb, when the bolt came out, it did so with all of the threading.

At this point i have only 1 option: heily coil (sorry spelling)

My questions are: what's on the other side of the belt tentioner bolt? It seems to be a staight shot into the block. If any of the drill dust were to get in there, where is it going to end up, will it wash up, and get trapped in the filter?

2: If I enlarge the hole my self, what are the chances of the new hole to end up at a slight angle, and what would happen or is it even possible, for the tentioner to come in contact with the belt at a minimal angle?

Sorry to being wordy, but i am at a complete loss, and i have no way to haul the engine to a shop to have the hole drilled by a pro. Would i have to take the engine back apart, and clean it after the hole is done? Would i need another new head gasket?

engine in question: 1998 DOHC 2.5 (from impreza)

Thank you
Alex-

 

bump?

 

So you've snapped the bolt clean? No, wait, you've taken all the thread out. that sucks! Have you tried a thread chaser yet? If there is any thread left, that'd be an easier option then a helicoil.

Other side of that bolt? drill slowly and steadily and take frequent pauses to make sure you don't drill too far.

Chances are pretty high if you're really nervous. Just take your time and take it slow. I haven't had to helicoil anything yet, but everyone that i've spoke with said that it's easier then it's made out to be.

 

well, i took 2 hours off work today, and took a drill to it.

i used red thread lock to make sure the heily would stay in place then torqued the bolt to spec.

my brother been tried to put timing belt on since 5, and i've been messing with it for 2 hours now, after 8 turns it's off by a tooth. %$_)@($#_)@(#$_@*&%!!! any way, just wanted to let you know that it's done

thanks for help. a word of advice is if you have to do it, get something to point a right angle of drilling, position your self, and try to make hole in one, with some one else holding a "vaccum" cleaner to suck all the metal out. if you stop and go, you WILL screw up, aluminum is a pain to drill!

once again, thanx
Alex0

 

we got the belt on, no prob. The issue was that the belt was brand new, and not stretched, so even though all the marks ligned up when putting the belt on, after 720 driver side sprockets were off by a tooth.

A subaru tech explained to us, that with the tentioner, the belt stretches just enough to take the slack out.

as i said in other threads, the car idles awesome, and with an increase in power now i am running out of fuel at 5k. (supercharger...)

Currenly working on repaining intake manifold, all brackets, changing all engine wires to chrome, cleaning fuel injectors, custom parallel fuel line mod, and just getting the car ready for the show.