Timing belt tension

[wabbe]

Hello. I just changed the timing belt tensioner from my 20v blacktop for a manual one.
But now i need to know how tight it should be. Ialways learned that you should be able to twist it 90° on the long side (exhaust cam to crank).
Is this correct?
It seems very tight between the cams but still ok between exhaust and cam and I can slide it over the width of the camgears (not completely off).

[NH-hillbilly]

the time to check belt tension is when engine is hot, that much I can say.

if you moderately tension the belt when all is cold, once the engine is at operating temp, the belt becomes too tight.

tight timing belts = hot timing belts
tight timing belts = unhappy oil pumps and #1 main bearing.

[yoshimitsuspeed]

The tension spec along with most other specs will be in the FSM. If you go with a mechanical tensioner then use a spec from the FSM of the mechanical tensioner.

[oldeskewltoy]

The tension spec along with most other specs will be in the FSM. If you go with a mechanical tensioner then use a spec from the FSM of the mechanical tensioner.

only silvertop uses mechanical tension. Do to cam placement(distance from each other) 16V spec is likely to be too tight if used on 20V.... he really needs silvertop spec....