Hello,

1989 740 GL, I'm almost there guys on my new headgasket but I have run into that frustration that makes you wonder why I didn't let the shop do it. I can't get the timing belt on, I 'ver read the Faq over and over again I know how the spring and tensioner function but it is soo tight. Any tricks of the trade to get this thing on, what could I be doing wrong?

THanks, JOhn

You have to slide it on all gears kinda at the same time. If you slide the belt all the way onto one then try for the next. it will bind.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

B230? Did you compress the spring? Leverage a large screwdriver against the water pump, compress the spring and lock it compressed with a nail.

Assuming you did this, slide the timing belt on two pulleys by no more than 1/4 inch to get it started then slide it on the third gear. It is a tight fit and the teeth on the pulleys have to be aligned. I start with the aux and the crank then finish with the cam pulley.
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Tom F. Couple of Volvos Mods, RainX & cup holders.

Did you compress it and get the nail in the hole to keep it compressed? Other than that, it is just snug and should go unless you have it threaded wrong somehow. It is something you will get and never have to pay a shop for again.

Hello,

Yes I do have the nail in there and have it threaded correct. So with these conditions would I need to pull like a madman to get this thing on or should it be easy? Maybe I was given the wrong belt but the lines on the belt match the notches on the sprockets.

Thanks JOhn

Even with that nail there's a lot of fudge left to the spring. Thickness of the nail can even make enough difference. Java's suggestion helps - have it only 1/2 or 3/4 on the three gears, hook the backside of the belt in your 17mm open end to lift it over the tensioner wheel. Just don't damage the edge by forcing it to roll back as it meets the tensioner wheel's outside circumference. The long wrench gives you some advantage.

make it easier yet - squeeze the spring tight and clamp tansioner with the nut with spring full compresed. room to slide on.

Should go on very easily w/ the tensioner spring compressed. Try removing the tensioner unit. If it still won't fit you've got the wrong belt. Or try putting the old belt back on just to see if everything still fits.