How to do a Cam belt service

[davidr32gtr]

Thx for this post. Really good how to

[GTR PERFORMANCE]

Hi there just like to say thumbs up on this thread mate, very useful and knowledgable top job looks like might be having a go myself lol

[wardiz]

I did changed my timing belt with a friend (actually my friend did most of the job) and this how to was very usefull. I will post some pictures of the job.
One thing I would add : put the car in 5th or 6th gear is definitely not recommanded according to my friend.
Better to block the flywheel this way : on the gear box remove the rubber cap (passenger side) to get access to the fly wheel.
This is a small access but large enough to insert a screwdriver. Then ask your friend to turn the pulley while you're watching the fly wheel for a hole. Insert a strong screwdriver in the hole to block the fly wheel. Then you can undo the crank pulley bolt.

[GTR PERFORMANCE]

Yep mate a very important point there when we do the timing belts on the gtrs thats exactly what i do, just simply lock the flywheel so crank is then fixed

[Marky_GTSt]

Good writeup, I would like to add something though.

After putting the new belt on and turning the crank, I like to line up the marks and recheck the tension as you can sometimes find the belt is more slack than intended once its been round.

Might be worth adding in the torque wrench settings too, if the bottom pulley or belt tensioner come loose it can be quite bad. I was just looking at the figures but I think I have bad data as the difference between the RB25 and RB26 crank bolts is wildly different.

P.S. The Skyline is one of the easier timing belts to do, I can think of a lot of cars that are far worse but not many that are easier.

[geoffree]

Yes ring gear stopper for an Rb26, balancer bolt torque is 330 to 340ft lbs.
You could get away with direct gear+handbrake in a GTSt, balancer bolt torque is only 105 to 115ft lbs.
I use 3/4" gear not 1/2" drive stuff for a 26, too much flex.
Tensioning a Nissan belt is by-the book. If you go Gates I suggest a bit looser or you'll be doing the job again.
Great photos, another suggestion is to rag up those intercooler pipes, you need to be positive nothing has accidentally dropped in.

[Marky_GTSt]

Originally Posted by geoffree

Yes ring gear stopper for an Rb26, balancer bolt torque is 330 to 340ft lbs.
You could get away with direct gear+handbrake in a GTSt, balancer bolt torque is only 105 to 115ft lbs.
I use 3/4" gear not 1/2" drive stuff for a 26, too much flex.
Tensioning a Nissan belt is by-the book. If you go Gates I suggest a bit looser or you'll be doing the job again.
Great photos, another suggestion is to rag up those intercooler pipes, you need to be positive nothing has accidentally dropped in.

Very similar to the torque figures I got, But they seem so very different to each other I wanted to double check.

[Bellis_GTR]

Awesome write up mate. Wish me and my pal had this when changin mine. Ah well it was a fun job! My pal said he rather pay to get it done tho haha

[Owenwilliams]

Good write up, very useful indeed helped me out loads cheers dude

Owen

[wrk]

wow, this is one great how-to. i have to do it soon, so THANK YOU !!

[Callon]

Awesome guide

[SeR GTR]

Originally Posted by Clive S-P

Now the fun begins!!!

Undoing the crank pulley bolt:
Two techniques are widely recommended; first one is to put your car into 5th (or 6th) gear, use a breaker bar on a 30mm socket and give it a damn hard pull towards the plenum side of the engine. This worked for me and was much easier to undo than I expected.
The second technique involves the breaker bar being lent on a piece of wood against the chassis rail, again on the plenum side. Disconnect the electrics to the spark plugs, place car in neutral and give a quick ¼ second flick of the ignition key. It***8217;s said the sudden movement will undo the bolt. I know RIPS New Zealand, use this technique.

(Edit: I have been advised that with R32/33 you should use 4th gear, but preferably a ring gear stopper. Don't blame me if you break stuff!)

Hmmm... I can't help but notice the lower timing belt cover has a hole into it. Is that an oem hole for easy access on the tensioner? Correct me if I'm wrog coz AFAIK there are no hole like that on the 32 and 33 GT-R. If that's what I think it is, it is a very nice idea indeed. I might want a BNR34 lower cover if that's the case.

And some quick Qs.
- Is it required to have loctite on putting in new tensioner studs?

- Do you really need to put oil on the crank pulley bolt when tightening it back?

- And is it safe to say that on 33 and 32 GT-R, 5th gear can be used also when loosening the crank bolt? Because I know many also use 5th instead.

[crewcutchuck]

I'm also going to be trying this before the "summer" shows

[MervinoGTR]

its Fairly easy, when ur radiator is out. u should have plenty of space.
just be careful with the bolts of spanner etc .