Anyone know how to change a timing belt on an 8v?

[Judderi]

I must explain before i go any further that im doing this on a vauxhall astra 1.4 gli (my wifes car) but im sure the principal is the same.

The belt snapped as i turned the key and attempted to start the car. Needles to say it didnt even fire so i think no damage will have been done. Am i right?

Ive stripped it down and removed the existing snapped belt and went and bought a new one ready to fit tonight. But ive never done a timing belt before and dont really know how to line everything up. There is a notch or arrow on both bottom and top pulleys. Do i just need to allign both of them at the top of the cycle i.e top dead centre? Then when the new belt is on do i need to put the car in 1st gear and turn one wheel in the air to make sure it all turns freely? Once its all done will i need to do the timing again?

[stan_deezy]

Hate to recommend another site but here goes: try posting the same question on Honest John technical forum: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/threads.htm?f=4

There's a lot of techs use it so you should get an answer fairly quickly.

Hope this helps...........

[Judderi]

Will give it a go. Thanks

Anybody else able to shed some advice in the mean time?