Hi, I am in real trouble here (cross post from nasioc- i really need help on this, must have car running by friday)

I was changing my timing belt (and head gasket), and either the previous owner, or the factory tightened the tentioner to a 1000 ft/lb, when the bolt came out, it did so with all of the threading.

At this point i have only 1 option: heily coil (sorry spelling)

My questions are: what's on the other side of the belt tentioner bolt? It seems to be a staight shot into the block. If any of the drill dust were to get in there, where is it going to end up, will it wash up, and get trapped in the filter?

2: If I enlarge the hole my self, what are the chances of the new hole to end up at a slight angle, and what would happen or is it even possible, for the tentioner to come in contact with the belt at a minimal angle?

Sorry to being wordy, but i am at a complete loss, and i have no way to haul the engine to a shop to have the hole drilled by a pro. Would i have to take the engine back apart, and clean it after the hole is done? Would i need another new head gasket?

engine in question: 1998 DOHC 2.5 (from impreza)

Thank you
Alex-

 

Like I said in your other link, simply change the bracket the tensioner bolts to. easily available and only bolts onto the front of the engine. I would not like to take the risk of either helicoil or replacement bolt in this situation. the bracket is only 30.00 but worth a damm site more in the knowledge its not going to allow the bolt to work loose due to a mis fitted helicoil or different threaded bolt. Or do you want to risk the timing belt falling off whilst running??

 

there is no bracker (as some one else mentioned in another post) the bolt goes directly into the block. Thanx for help, but i went ahead and enlarged the hole, and used a heili coil. The car already has 150 miles, and so far no issues related to timing belt.

Idle is really smooth. Compression is up from 68 to 192

Later,
Alex-