Timing belt running on edge of gear

[Mart1n95]

Hi all, just replaced my timing belt on my 2.2 LC, but after I noticed it's running slightly over the edge of the cam gears. Removed tensioner again and tried to press the bearing some more in case it wasn't fully seated, but it was still the same. Looked at the before photos and it was the exact same before I replaced it, so is this okay to run like that? Just worried it will rub the ends of the belt a lot

Before
20250929_093414831 by Martin Gunn, on Flickr

After
20250930_192216369 by Martin Gunn, on Flickr

[Marten]

Hi all, just replaced my timing belt on my 2.2 LC, but after I noticed it's running slightly over the edge of the cam gears. Removed tensioner again and tried to press the bearing some more in case it wasn't fully seated, but it was still the same. Looked at the before photos and it was the exact same before I replaced it, so is this okay to run like that? Just worried it will rub the ends of the belt a lot

check that the pivot bearing on the tensioner is without play. But is the pulleys have worn and formed a ridge, forcing the belt up back the ridge is probably not ideal

[Mart1n95]

Hi all, just replaced my timing belt on my 2.2 LC, but after I noticed it's running slightly over the edge of the cam gears. Removed tensioner again and tried to press the bearing some more in case it wasn't fully seated, but it was still the same. Looked at the before photos and it was the exact same before I replaced it, so is this okay to run like that? Just worried it will rub the ends of the belt a lot

check that the pivot bearing on the tensioner is without play. But is the pulleys have worn and formed a ridge, forcing the belt up back the ridge is probably not ideal

The tensioner has been rebuilt with the new nylon bushes, so there isnt any slop at all side to side. I have tried putting a washer in behind the outermost tensioner bolt spacer, whilst it did help a little it looked like it was putting a lot of strain on the tensioner body.

I then tried sticking a couple of washers behind both spacers to space out the whole tensioner, but although it sits on the bearing better it still walks and rides on the outside of the cam gear

20250930_204332491 by Martin Gunn, on Flickr

[MetBlue]

Was going to ask what the situation is at the crank pulley, but you're answered it in your other thread. Does all look OK at the dizzy / oil pump drive pulley? I can't see how the cams and crank wouldn't be parallel, but the oil pump casing bolts on separately and just might be causing a miss alignment.

[AndrewWebber]

Mine was like that when I got the car in 2021, I did try several times to 'coax' it back onto the pulleys by running it with some light pressure applied with a wall paper joint roller held again the belt edge, but it quickly reverted back to around 3mm of overhang towards the front. I ran it like it for around 6k miles without any issues then last year when I changed the belt, I also changed to the 'later spec tooth profile' pulleys and belt. The new set up runs with the belt completely on the pulleys. So in my case I would say it was probably down to some pulley wear over the 156k miles.

Andy

[Mart1n95]

Was going to ask what the situation is at the crank pulley, but you're answered it in your other thread. Does all look OK at the dizzy / oil pump drive pulley? I can't see how the cams and crank wouldn't be parallel, but the oil pump casing bolts on separately and just might be causing a miss alignment.

Should probably post that photo here too as I'd forgotten to!
20250930_210040610 by Martin Gunn, on Flickr

That would make sense if that whole assembly is throwing it all off, I wasnt aware it bolted onto the block seperately, I didn't pay much attention when taking the pulley off as I was more interested in the water pump bolt that sits behind it!

I think I will invest in some engineers straight edges to see if its off at an angle, saves some guessing

Mine was like that when I got the car in 2021, I did try several times to 'coax' it back onto the pulleys by running it with some light pressure applied with a wall paper joint roller held again the belt edge, but it quickly reverted back to around 3mm of overhang towards the front. I ran it like it for around 6k miles without any issues then last year when I changed the belt, I also changed to the 'later spec tooth profile' pulleys and belt. The new set up runs with the belt completely on the pulleys. So in my case I would say it was probably down to some pulley wear over the 156k miles.

Andy

thanks Andy, I had read about pulley wear causing it, but this car only has 50k miles on it and the belts dont look particularly worn. The round tooth pulleys are a bit too pricey for my taste at the moment, but could be something I might look into in the future, but certainly wouldnt want to change them just to find out the problem has persisted! Thats quite an impressive amount of miles for one of these engines no?!

[AndrewWebber]

Ah, it had a 'Miles Wilkins full engine rebuild' in 1994 at 109k miles: liners, pistons, shells, crank -010 etc but no mention of belt sprockets in the invoice so they will have done the 156k.

Andy

[rbgosling]

Thats quite an impressive amount of miles for one of these engines no?!

Mine did 175k with no major work, just regular servicing, before I rebuilt it. When I did the rebuild, the crank didn't even need grinding to take oversize bearing shells, it was still within original spec. However the liners were honed and re-coated with fresh Nikasil. Done another 33k miles since the rebuild.