Last weekend I changed the cam belt on my Escort RST. I changed it since I was going on the seller's word (from two sellers ago) that the 'belt was done two years ago and the fact that with the previous breather setup it was breathing oil fumes over the belt ; not a great thing to happen. It is also a ZVH where a different tensioner is required ; a 1.3 item due to the taller 'block thus I figured some protection probably would not hurt.

I have gone from a Gates 'belt to a genuine Ford item. However, since fitting it the belt now runs around 1mm from the edge of the camshaft pulley (away from the engine) from previously being sat in the middle of it. Over the past 20 miles it has not got any closer to the edge but it is still a little disconcerting.

At the time I checked the water pump and tensioner ; these are clearly only a couple of years old and have covered around 4,000 miles with no signs of wear on them. The difference between the two belts is that the Gates belt had rounded teeth whereas the Ford one has more squared off teeth, like the Dayco belts if you know what I mean. The Piper vernier pulley is a shiny silver where the previous belt has ran.

This could be me being picky, but the belt (or drivebelt) does whine ever so slightly if you are listening for it, but not as loudly as some with a 944 definitely being a louder setup but maybe the teeth design are causing this?

In your opinion what could be causing the above? Is it something I should rectify or should I continue as normal? As far as I can tell the crank bolt is torqued up to roughly the tightening torque (it's IMHO impossible to check with the engine in the car ; the pulley runs fairly close to the inner wing, but I did do it up very tightly), the belt will just about twist to near enough 90 degrees with firm finger pressure. I was planning to retension the belt in 100 miles just to play it safe (I know a few previous cars I have owned recommned to do this (Pug 205 GTi/Porsche 944).

Here is where the belt ran previously on the cam pulley. I'll see if I can grab a pic of how the belt is running now.




In your opinion what could be causing the above? Is it something I should rectify or should I continue as normal and quit worrying?

 

well looking at pics I cant see an issue. If belt or tensioner whines it normally means its too tight as long as its in good working condition

 

For once... I actually agree with Jano! lol
If you moved it over a little on the bottom pulley (crank) when fitting it it may have stayed more like where it used to be but so long as it isn't making it's way closer to the edge I wouldn't worry mate

 

ha, thanks for the confirmation, it really puts my mind at rest when I know you have agreed. pmsl.

 

That is partially the issue. Since I have changed the belt it is running closer to the edge of the pulley. However, it has not moved from its new path ; I.E is not running right on the edge. I did the 'twist' test today and it goes pretty much perfectly to 90 degrees .

Here is how it runs after the belt was changed:









Engagement of the teeth to the cam pulley:



Differing tooth design:

 

it shouldnt go to 90degree sounds a tad loose.

also try turning over by hand and pushing the belt to the place that would make you happier.

 

Again as Jano says mate

 

As always cheers for the help .

I shall retension the belt to see how things go.

Without me trying to sound too thick are the pair of you saying to:

-loosen the belt
-position the belt where the old belt previously ran (i.e a few more mm in)
-retension correctly at a touch less than 90 degrees

or to do it with the belt still on the car? :S. Surely the belt would go back to a 'natural line' of where it is now unless I am missing something . I wonder if I have disburbed something when I slid the bottom crank (cam belt) pulley a little to aid getting the belt off but I am fairly sure that I slid it back in addition to tightening the bolt up very tight, with the crank (alt) pulley seeming to be fully engaged.

That said, would the new path worry you guys or not at all?

That should be the end of the questions with any luck!

 

From looking at the pictures if you slide it in further it will be hanging off the back of the water pump?

 

Well spotted Stu! I would leave it where it is mate, it's fine, but could perhaps do with a little more tension.

 

Has your water pump got an adapter plate....Mine doesn't and the belt sit's the same as yours...

 

Can clearly see the adaptor plate in his pics so yes.
How on earth are you running a ZVH without one? (genuinely interested)

 

Yea i see it now,Only looked at the belt on the end of the pulley which looks like mine,Anyhow engine builder didn't like the idea of drilling near the waterways i guess...