[alfa] Rubber belts, chains and other kinky things

[C M Smith <cmsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

See if this gets past Richard's Alfa only spam filter.

There is nothing objectively inferior about rubber belt timing belts. For 
heaven's sake there was a Dutch company that used them for transmissions, 
and didn't Harley use a V belt drive for their moto sicles?

However, the tensioner on the Alfa engine is problematic if the installer 
is not prepared to follow Alfa's precise installation instructions. I've 
had no problems. Touch wood.

Replacing a rubber timing belt doesn't have to be a maintenance nightmare. 
Several Japanese engines use these and replacement is neither expensive nor 
difficult, almost routine.

Timing chains are durable, slightly less efficient than belts, virtually 
impossible to inspect adequately and of course, last the life of the 
engine, however long that may be. Replacing a timing chain is a big deal, 
whatever anyone might tell you.

As for Alain de Cadenet's Victory by Design series, I bought the whole set, 
and they are very good. the scripting and filming are really engaging. The 
driving is expert and the commentary is knowledgeable. de Cadenet is an 
Alfa fan but also presents each marque as if he is a fan of that marque. No 
odious and irrelevant comparisons are made with other marques during each 
presentation, very good. The Alfa TZ he drives at Monterey (??) loses a 
wheel on the last lap, worth seeing that show (speed vision) just to see 
him exit the car casually and retrieve the wheel while cars are still 
circulating. You can almost see him contemplate whether he could simply re 
install it and finish the course. He is a real racer as well as a 
knowledgeable car lover.

Cheers

Michael



Michael Smith
White 1991 164L
Original owner
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