[V8] Timing belts

[Tony and Lillie]

Ford also had the same design intheir 80's V8's. However, we are talking 
aples to aranges here, as those are of the pushrod engine design.If you want 
low maintenance, go with pushrods and a manual transmission.

As for the timing belt -vs- timing chain argument for overhead cams, here 
goes.

Steve said it, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Timing 
chains are (generally) lower maintenance. Timing belts are lighter, 
cheaper/easier to manufacture, and quieter. Timing belts also require 
replacement anywhere from 40-120K, depending on the vehicle.

However, ever done a timing chain on an overhead cam engine? Do one, and you 
will probably be sold on timing belts. Especially a VR6 or late model S4 
4.2. And, even doing mine at 50K intervals, that still was every two years. 
Not too bad, all things considered.

BTW, if this is all still too much for you, a bicycle is pretty low 
maintenance, and you stay in shape ;-)

Oh, and my daily driver (4000Q) is one of those where when the belt breaks I 
just put another on and go down the road.

Tony

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "urq" <urq at pacbell.net>
To: <V8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: [V8] Timing belts


> ... one of my earliest memories of working on cars with my Dad was a 
> Pontiac
> Catalina Station Wagon he bought from the neighbor ... the car had a 3?? 
> CID
> V8 engine.  My Dad got to rework the engine on that car because the 
> plastic
> gear GM employed to quiet the timing chain wore out ... I don't remember 
> if
> the engine was an interference design or not.
>
> There are advantages and disadvantages to both ... and either mode can 
> have
> inherent gremlins.  In some part the fact that the engine is an 
> interference
> design makes things worse.  I know people who have had the cam belt fail 
> ...
> left them dead on the road, but all it took was a new cam belt to get them
> going again ...