EvanR wrote: How to change a timing belt without losing valve timing: Cut the existing belt lengthwise, leaving half of it on the pulleys. Add new belt to pulleys. Cut the old half-a-belt off.
My first thought was that this is a genius method. But then I thought about how hard it would be to cut that existing belt. Is there a secret method to actually cutting the belt? Idle the engine while carefully applying a sharp knife?
ultraclyde wrote:EvanR wrote: How to change a timing belt without losing valve timing: Cut the existing belt lengthwise, leaving half of it on the pulleys. Add new belt to pulleys. Cut the old half-a-belt off.My first thought was that this is a genius method. But then I thought about how hard it would be to cut that existing belt. Is there a secret method to actually cutting the belt? Idle the engine while carefully applying a sharp knife?
It's the perfect example of how to take a straightforward job and make it more difficult, because that's what you read on a forum. They seem to specialize in coming up with half-assed, oddball ways to avoid using the factory method. Seriously, the number of extra steps I've seen people come up with on Miata forums to ensure and check proper alignment. Counting teeth, cutting belts, marking random things... all while ignoring the one factory step that gives you a 100% answer every time.
Amateurs leading amateurs in fear.
Keith Tanner wrote:ultraclyde wrote:It's the perfect example of how to take a straightforward job and make it more difficult, because that's what you read on a forum. They seem to specialize in coming up with half-assed, oddball ways to avoid using the factory method. Seriously, the number of extra steps I've seen people come up with on Miata forums to ensure and check proper alignment. Counting teeth, cutting belts, marking random things... all while ignoring the one factory step that gives you a 100% answer every time. Amateurs leading amateurs in fear.EvanR wrote: How to change a timing belt without losing valve timing: Cut the existing belt lengthwise, leaving half of it on the pulleys. Add new belt to pulleys. Cut the old half-a-belt off.My first thought was that this is a genius method. But then I thought about how hard it would be to cut that existing belt. Is there a secret method to actually cutting the belt? Idle the engine while carefully applying a sharp knife?
Went down the same thought process. Keith also knows the only real answer to this game:
I don't even own a Miata, and I want one because of the elegance of the design.
NOHOME wrote:Keith Tanner wrote:Went down the same thought process. Keith also knows the only real answer to this game:ultraclyde wrote:It's the perfect example of how to take a straightforward job and make it more difficult, because that's what you read on a forum. They seem to specialize in coming up with half-assed, oddball ways to avoid using the factory method. Seriously, the number of extra steps I've seen people come up with on Miata forums to ensure and check proper alignment. Counting teeth, cutting belts, marking random things... all while ignoring the one factory step that gives you a 100% answer every time. Amateurs leading amateurs in fear.EvanR wrote: How to change a timing belt without losing valve timing: Cut the existing belt lengthwise, leaving half of it on the pulleys. Add new belt to pulleys. Cut the old half-a-belt off.My first thought was that this is a genius method. But then I thought about how hard it would be to cut that existing belt. Is there a secret method to actually cutting the belt? Idle the engine while carefully applying a sharp knife?
I want one because it holds the cams, is a key ring and opens beers.
Spoken like a true GRM cyclist. 
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