I have a 98 Legacy GT with 2.5 JDM engine. Installed a new T belt with new pulleys and on start up timing belt rubbed the inside cover on right side of engine. The pulleys on the right only have a belt guide on the forward side...... Wonder if there is something different with the JDM engines? thanks :)

What motor were the pulleys from that you installed on the JDM motor? I'm assuming the JDM motor is DOHC?

Bought the car used and the person we purchased it from had a Japan Domestic motor installed. The kit I used came with T belt and four new pulleys. I made sure to install washers under appropiate pulleys. The cam pulleys look stock. The ones on the right side are a plastic material with the cast hex ridge and a pulley fence only on the forward side. The pulleys on the left look stock and have guides on both sides.

Is there a reason you replaced the existing pullies? Were they bad?

 

Can you elaborate on the washers you installed?

I have a 98 Legacy GT with 2.5 JDM engine. Installed a new T belt with new pulleys and on start up timing belt rubbed the inside cover on right side of engine. The pulleys on the right only have a belt guide on the forward side...... Wonder if there is something different with the JDM engines? thanks :)

 

Define "pullies"

NONE of the idler pullies ahould have washers on them. They are installed as they come from the box. The lonly "pulley" with a washer on it is the tensioner and I am willing to bet that the problem is the tensioner being loose and allowing the belt to ride forward. Check it now, before you lose the belt and the valves.

The car had a very leaky water pump. So while I was there I replaced the T belt which came with all new the pulleys.

You may have changed the alignment when you installed the washers and now the belt is riding forward. Also check the tensioner and make sure the mounting bolt hasn't pulled out. The aluminum bracket that holds it is soft and easily damaged. I have done that myself.

I verified the pulleys and washer installation plus proper torque on all fastners.

I did replace the aft belt cover on the right side due to being torn up and now I realize it is doing almost the same thing but not nearly as bad. The car runs great and the belt is not damaged other than one edge rubbing into the cover but nothing visible on the belt. Thanks for your help.

Where are you putting those whashers? The only thing that has washers on it is the tensioner pulley assembly. I don't know where you are getting that the others are supposed to have washers on them. I haven't seen a single DOHC motor that has had any washers on any of the idlers. I think that this may actually be your problem. Also, did you check the bolt for the tensioner assembly? There is no reason other than faulty installation or idlers for the belt to be walking. You need to do a bit more inspecting.

Your right of course......I set asside each pulley as it came off and installed new ones that came in the kit with new hardware. The tensioner pulley did have the washer installed on it. Also there was an instruction sheet that was very clear as to which pulleys got what and as to the torque. I examined the old belt yesterday and it had slight wear on the rubbing edge but that was it. My plan is to monitor the belt condition over time(pulling the covers every 2-3 months)