Not that I have changed a lancer timing belt but in the past (my mazda an escort and a K car) I always seem to do better hooking in around the crank and the tensioner and use brute thumb/finger force and a little water to slide it on the cam gear. Ive done 3 in the past and they are all about the same tight as a motherf'er. The water (Ive used spit too) believe it or not works good for sliding rubber on metal and it evaporates so its harmless.

 

I can't get it close enough to get it all the way around.

I need about 1/4" or less of stretch to get it on methinks.

 

Finally some more good news. I got my timing belt back on.

My engine is almost completely together now. The Defi probe has significantly smaller threading than my old VDO so my existing tap is going to need to be plugged or something. Aside from that and a bolt to secure my fans, my engine bay is done.

I installed my Defi-link gauge sensors (boost and fuel pressure), but I need to wire the control unit and move my boost controller and turbo timer around a bit. I wanna put them in the center console. Right now that's (obviously) secondary to getting the car running after its 9mos of hibernation. Basically what I really need to do is finish installing my new battery box. ILP had run the wires under the car (don't as me why) and I ****in' hated it. It was so ugly and dangerous because there was a bit of slack in the line underneath the car (not a lot, but enough to potentially get caught on something). They basically massacred the floor of my trunk as well. I'm just going to fill the holes with silicone, redrill what I need to (5/8" in the fire wall and 3/8" in the trunk).

I'm drawing a blank as to what else I need to do, but I'm so close to startup now that I can taste it. And it tastes like I'm going to be doing a lot of retuning.

 

Drilled the holes and ran the battery wires on Saturday. In addition my Optima Yellow Top came while I was on vacation. I need to install my terminal ends to the wires, connect the battery, and install the strap to keep the box down. Otherwise I'm pretty much done. I just need to slap my intake back on (5 minutes) and fill her up with coolant.

Gonna try to start her up today or tomorrow since I'm not going to my girlfriend's for the weekend (which is a rare occurance for me). After that it's all just finishing up odds and ends (such as my EGT probe which does not fit the bung that my VDO gauges used) and tuning. Man, is the tuning tedious. Wish me luck!

 

Awesome to hear, dude... good luck finishing up.
-N

 

Jesus, after all of this, I wish I could be there for the startup... *road trip*

 

I'll spend a long, long time just getting it to idle correctly again. It's not going to be start and drive. My fuel system has changed with the removal of the FMU and addition of the FPR, and I've got a lot of other work to check on/do as well. So it's back to the drawing board. Hopefully I'll spend less time playing with idle functions though now that my fuel should be better controlled.

 

No, I understand that. I know it'll be a while until driveability.
Just to hear your car come to life after all this time would be good. Even if it sputters out 3 seconds later.

 

Well today I'm working on idle. I know I can get her to turn over, but I need to check compression, and I forget where the BoV vac line was attached so she will not hold an idle. I smell a bit of fuel too, so I'm being extra careful. God knows the last thing I need is a fire to ruin everything I've done now.

 

I did my compression tests as soon as I went out today. I smelled fuel because cylinders 1 and 4 weren't burning. 2 and 3 were within normal limits, but zero compression in 1 and 4. First probable point of failure was the valve cover so I went to make sure it was torque to spec. Snap. Andrew needs a new head...again. Back to square one.

If you know anyone who has a full motor or head at a reasonable price, please contact me via PM (my AIM is not reliable because power outages in my room keep making me lose messages) or via E-mail. (Same name at hotmail). I'll be putting a wanted post in the For Sale/Wanted forums. I'd really appreciate any help, because I'm totally boned right now. I'm working backwards towards taking off the head again. Again, any help locating a head would be deeply appreciated.

 

Hey Andrew...I see you've been very busy with your car. It's been a while since we've spoken. Good luck with your rebuild.

 

Man, I've read this whote thread and have to say that it was exciting to read all the progress up to yesterday. Everything sounded like it was going to work and then to hear that you need a new head. Sorry for all your bad luck. Hopefully you can get a head or motor soon and for a good price. Good luck!

 

Basically yesterday had the same effect as an approximately $200, 16 hour long kick to the groin.

Awesome.

 

So spirits are high then... good to hear ;-)
-N

 

I just wanted to thank everyone for being responsive in my search for a new head. I appreciate it everyone. Thanks.