New Timing Belt

[LowSL2]

I got my R/T running today. Put a new Gates T206 belt from Italy on it. Also re-greased the timing idler and tensioner pulleys. I set tension to 110 lbs per the FSM. I started the engine and let it idle until it got hot. I noticed at 1500 RPM there's a harmonic noise coming from the cam gear side of the head. It's not a rattle, tap or grinding sound. It's almost like a 'whirr'. It definately didnt do this before. I'm going to assume this is because the belt is tensioned more this time. But I wanted to double check with you guys first.

I drove the car about 25 miles, got home and re-checked tension. It shows 120 lbs at first. Then if I let it sit there it shows 110 lbs. I'm going to keep checking tension every day I think for the next few weeks.

Other than that, the car drives great.

[2.216VTurbo]

And what happened with the frustrating serp belt routing? Was it on the backside of one pulley?:o I replied last night but a dozen or so of my posts were lost in the forum reset:(

[LowSL2]

The belt was just too short. Somehow while it was sitting for the last month, it shrunk. It's the weirdest thing. I went out and got a new gatorback belt that was 1/2" longer. Did the trick.

Now it seems like the timing belt might be too tight.

[iTurbo]

I loosen the rocker shaft bolts up before setting tension on my TIIIs. This will take the valve spring load off the cam gears and make checking it much more consistent. There is a tightening/loosening sequence for the rocker shaft bolts.

[LowSL2]

Yeah I did that procedure. I followed every step in the FSM. Looks like the belt is too tight. I need a garage. Working in this heat is going to kill me.