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Sunturd...I mean sunbird timing belt question
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Posted by: 92 Taurus SHO

I had to replace the water pump so that required taking off like two million things not to mention its driven off the timing belt and its also the tensioner for it. So, my question is how do I get the crank lined back up with the cam??? I think I should get #1 at TDC and then get the distributor to the #1 spot. Is this the way to do it?? I didn't see any marks on the sprockets like my SHO has. SUnbirds suck, except the turbos. Hope you guys can help!!

Posted by: funstick

look in a book

Posted by: 92 Taurus SHO

Thanks for the advice but it still overheats.... shit

Posted by: OldSchoolPower

What temp thermostat are you runnin?

Posted by: 92 Taurus SHO

I think its around a 192 or something close to that. Although it doesn't matter because it overheats with it out too. Who wants to see some video of a beretta and a sunbird smashing each other in a field????

Posted by: OldSchoolPower

How badly is it overheating?

Posted by: 92 Taurus SHO

Well technically it hasn't "overheated" but I deliver pizzas in it and when it sits idling for about a minute or two the temperature just climbs. It does this when driving at low speeds too which is why I assumed it was the water pump. The fan turns on when I jumper the A and B terminals for the diagnostic test so I assume that its not the fan either. I don't really know what else to look for.

Posted by: MikeT

Chevy motors are designed to run hot. My car came w/ a 195 thermo and the fans set to turn on at 220 for the main and 240 for the aux. For someone used to driving fords this probibly seems way hot.

Unless your car is actually overheating (which you say its not) It's probibly running somewhat normally. If you take the thermostat out it shold overheat, as the water dosen't spend enough time in the radiator to cool down.

Theres a couple things you can do.

1) run a cooler thermostat, 170,180 is probibly the best. A 160 will work good in the summer but will be too cold in the winter.

2) install an aux fan switch. Haltech makes some and can be bought at pepboys for about $25. Its wired in conjuction to the stock fan control system. It uses its own temp sender. They sell one that turns on at 185/ off at 170 and one that is adjustable from 140-220. If it should ever fail for any reason the stock system will still function normally, so it won't overheat.

I did this on my camaro 7 years ago and it still works fine today.

Posted by: 92 Taurus SHO

I'm just paranoid because I already did one head gasket on it and it hasn't ever run that hot since. It gets up to about 220 if it sits there for a second I didn't really check if the fan turns on, because I was working, so I will probably just install a manual fan switch with a relay. I've done that twice on other chevys and haven't had any problems. I'm gonna go work on her right now. Thanks for the help. The next step is to demo it with my brothers shitty beretta. that might be fun???

Posted by: skeezix

Check your cooling fan.

Posted by: OldSchoolPower

I say go with the lower thermo and get this.

Posted by: 92 Taurus SHO

I just had to tighten up the timing belt by rotating the water pump towards the front of the motor. The fan does turn on but not till around 220 degrees. Time for a manual switch. I'm not gonna spend $30 on a sunbird. I got a couple switches and relays layin around the garage. Thanks for the help.

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