We have a B16A with Arias dish pistons, Skunk2 valves, skunks 110lbs dual valve springs, Skunk2 pro2 cams, gates performance timing belt and an ATI dampener. We set the head down and the dampener is already on and at top dead center, we torqued the head down and put the cams in at top dead center and torqued the rails to spec. We can’t get the belt over the gears it always feels way too tight and if we do manage to get it over then the crank moves even if one of us holds it. We have a cam gear holder and one of us holds the crank but no matter what we do we can’t get it to all stay together to get the belt on. At one point it was on and we tried tightening it down and we heard a snap and a gear jumped a few teeth and we had to start over. I don’t believe anything is damaged but we tried all night and no luck. Is there anything that we’re missing? I know these are aggressive cams and they definitely need to be adjusted for valve lash but I can’t see that being why we can’t get it on straight in the first place

 

Camshaft lobe specifications and valve spring pressure have no bearing on installing a timing belt. The gears are still in the same position and the sames sizes. Do you have a different belt to try and install? I have been told by guys making big power to only use OEM belts. In what order are you installing the belt onto the pulleys?


(1) Timing belt drive pulley (crankshaft) (2) Adjusting pulley (3) Water pump pulley (4)Exhaust camshaft pulley (5)Intake camshaft pulley.