Burroughs Timing Belt Tension Gauge

["mageiger"]

Greetings all,

I have a Borroughs Timing Belt Tension Gauge to tension the timing
belt on my Esprit (yeah yeah, not Elan). It has a calibrate position
indicated on the tension reading dial, anyone know what weight this
might need to check it's calibration? The gauge is J-26486. The
company that sold it, Kent-Moore is now SPX Kent-Moore. The only
info they had was how to use it. Which in and of itself is amazing as
this toll has got to be 20 years old.

Thanx, Mike G
66 Elan S3 Coupe'
78 Esprit S1

[Esprit2]

21 Feb 02, mageiger <***@***.***> wrote:


Mike,

You might get more responses by posting your message on the turboesprit or
S1S2S3owners mailing lists. Those lists have recently had some
active discussions on timing belt tension, Burroughs Gauges (now SPX /
Kent-Moore) and Gates Kriket Gauges. You may even find something helpful
in the archives there.

I don't recognize "J-26486"... is that the Lotus-specific gauge (blank
white dial face label with one scale mark at "95"), or a generic Burroughs
Gauge with a full-range scale reading from 30 to 180 lbs?

Probably more to your question... the directions that came with my
Burroughs Gauge gives the following steps for calibrating it:

1) Hang a length of timing belt (cut the loop and hang a single strand).

2) Suspend a 100 lb weight from the lower end.

3) Take a reading mid-span with the Burroughs Gauge being checked.

4) It should read 100 lbs, correlating with the suspended weight.

Since the Lotus spec for 9XX timing belt tension is 95 lbs, it may be smart
to also check the gauge's accuracy at 95 lbs. Then, even if your gauge is
out of calibration at 100 lbs, you can make your own index mark accurately
indicating 95 lbs per your test.

Regards,
Tim Engel
80 Esprit S2
79 Eclat

[Harald S. Feeß]

Mike,

I would not trust this gauge.
Always check the belt tension when engine is hot. The belt must not be too tight.
Don?t be surprised by the low belt tension on the cold 900 series engine.

Harry
Munich, Germany
71 Elan Sprint
87 Excel

["mageiger"]

Hi Tim,

Thanx for the info. I chose this list as there seem to more
technical people here (in quantity). The J-26486 the Kent-Moore
generic Burroughs gauge. It is dual scale for two belt sizes. I was
thinking it would be something as simple as you describe. As I have
an old belt I will check it as you stated. I will also check the
other two lists you mentioned for additional info.

Thanx,
Mike Geiger
--- In lotuselan@y..., "Tim Engel" <tengel@b...> wrote:


generic Burroughs Gauge with a full-range scale reading from 30 to
180 lbs?



even if your gauge is out of calibration at 100 lbs, you can make
your own index mark accurately indicating 95 lbs per your test.