Timing belt tensionor question

[aaronb2500]

Hi Guys,
New owner here of a 1998 B2500. I'm in the middle of a timing belt change and have a question - after installing the new belt, do I loosen the belt tensioner to spring out and apply tension and then tighten it or leave it loose? I would think tightening it would prevent it from adjusting to take up slack as the belt wears and stretches.
Thanks in advance!

 

[black_demon69]

if memory serves tighten it..

but take this with a grain of salt as i have not done one in a very very long time......

 

[RonD]

Tighten the tensioner bolts once it has tighten the belt.

One trick for any timing belt is, after new belt is in place and timed, release tensioner and then before tightening the bolts rotate the crank in one direction two full turns, then realign timing marks, this will take out any "back side" slack in the belt and also show you if you are out of time by one tooth.

Crank turns two times the speed of the cam, so timing mark on cam will be 180deg out when crank has been turn one full turn, on the next full turn timing marks will line up again, if installed correctly

Then tighten up tensioner bolts.