[Miata] timing belt/water pump

[entropycat at verizon.net]

For Mickey and the list:

   Greetings!

   You wrote:

<snip>

>>>   Question 1- I marked the timing belt and cam pulleys
after verifying the E and I and the sprocket timing mark
were all correct. When I loosened the tensioned, the Intake
cam pulley turned clockwise about 1/4 of an inch.  It feels
like it is spring loaded. I can turn it back and it moves
forward .  With tension on the belt, the cam pulley does
not turn but I am afraid something is not right. Do I have a
problem or is that normal?   <<<

   This is perfectly normal.... the spring-loaded effect is caused by the 
fact that the cam shaft is trying to open a valve at TDC.   There are only a 
few spots in the camshaft rotation where all of the valve spring moments 
cancel out and the camshaft stays put.... and TDC, where cam timing is done, 
is not one of them.   You can build a jig to hold the camshaft in place, or 
use vice grips, or simply place the belt in such a way that you allow for 
the movement and thus cause the cam to return to its proper position when 
tension comes on the belt.   The latter is what I do.

>>>   Question 2 --Is it necessary to remove the thermostat
housing to remove the water pump? I can not move the
pump past the 2 inch ridge or protrusion back of the
thermostat  housing. I did remove the rubber outer seal
on top of the pump.  <<<

   I am not sure if it is necessary or not, but it is so easy to do, and 
improves access so much, that I do it as a matter of course.

Regards,
Jim T.
entropycat at verizon.net
'74   914
'90   Miata  (x3)