How thick of a file? also sounds like a dumb question but what is the rotation of the engine? clockwise? I plan to turn the motor over by hand a few times to get the feel of it. Then I will turn it over by hand after I am done and see what it feels like if it does not feel right I can go back and check it! Where are these orings you mention at? Where on the motor is the motor number, I want to make sure it is just a stock diesel! ----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Romas To: Frederick M. Wasserstein Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 6:56 AM Subject: Re: Timing Belt, Tools and etc.

Your in luck.

If you improvise, you can use a file and shims as required to hold the camshaft. The pulley is NOT keyed to the cam, just a taper fit. So you must be carefull. You can use a 3/8" drive deep socket to hold the pump. Also like some (all?) fiats, the engins is a interference engine where it you hav it wrong, it's history for the valves. The o ring is behind the carrier for the intermediate shaft, replace it by all means. Also the oil seal for the can and intermediate seals should be replaced.

Joe (diesel fan) 99.5 jetta tdi 90 jetta gas 84 vanagon gl gas ----- Original Message ----- From: Frederick M. Wasserstein To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 7:45 AM Subject: Timing Belt, Tools and etc.

Howdy, Well I am really getting into this Vanagon thing, I have come to the decision that I should replace the timing belt/(PO had let my 1982 Westy diesel sit for five years). I know that first I must change the oil and filter and change antifreeze. My regular antifreeze says safe for all materials including aluminum, is this good enough? Back to timing belt I called the local VW shop and they wanted $ 38.00 for the belt and $160.00 for Labor and wanted $ 200.00 to replace a few orings while they were at it! Well I have changed timing belts in a lot of different vehicles including 2- fiats, so I started looking into it. I bought the manual and looked a a lot of websites, but the special tools seem to confuse me. One looks like a flat piece of metal (to hold cam I guess) the other looks like a long socket (fuel injection pump). Is there anyone with good substitutions for these tools? any help would be appreciated!