Re: V8Q: Replacing Drive belts

[Eliot Lim <eliot@u.washington.edu>]

there are two different belts on the v8 engine:

1) cam belt:  this has to be replaced every 60K.  it drives the camshafts,
oil pump and water pump.

2) accessory belt: this drives the radiator fan, central hydraulic pump
for steering, brakes and center diff lock, alternator, A/C.  the factory
manual states that this is a "lifetime" part and "does not need to be
changed for the entire service life of the engine".

i have only changed the cam belt at 60K and it was an expensive job
that was mostly labor.  about $500 or more if i remember correctly.
the belt cost me over $100 too.  it's possible that the same belt
could be gotten cheaper but at the time i couldn't imagine anyone
making an aftermarket cam belt for the v8.


eliot