Timing Belt Age

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zak

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I have started looking around for a timing belt, and the newest I've seen on Evilbay are manufacturing dates of 2005. The last Ford timing belt I bought had a date of 1999.

Per the link below, quoting guidance from Gates:

""Timing Belt when properly stored is good as new up to 8 years. Life expectancy is reduced 10% per year for every year thereafter."


I know those of us with stock cams don't have interference engines. Don't think we ever heard of actual timing belt failures during the SHOtimes era, but think there have been a couple of reports on this board.

Thoughts? Anyone buy a belt recently? Date code on it? Manufacturing date on the box?
 

Irish Pride

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I'm at the point now where I consider the timing belt a lifetime part. I have a few Gates belts sitting on the shelf for future use if needed but I've never seen or heard of one actually breaking. I always look the belt over really good for wear or cracks but the last few water pumps I've done I just put the old belt back on. The only time I can ever remember needing to replace a belt was because one of the ribs had a small chunk missing. Could have been like that for who knows how long though.

-Chad
 

thegreatbriguy

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I'm at the point now where I consider the timing belt a lifetime part. I have a few Gates belts sitting on the shelf for future use if needed but I've never seen or heard of one actually breaking. I always look the belt over really good for wear or cracks but the last few water pumps I've done I just put the old belt back on. The only time I can ever remember needing to replace a belt was because one of the ribs had a small chunk missing. Could have been like that for who knows how long though.

-Chad
I agree with this. They are basically never bad. I wouldn't be afraid of an older one from the shelf if you want a "new" one on there
 

Eric B

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I replaced mine every 60,000 miles and no problems. It takes 4 hours. Mine has 190,000 miles.
 

Blk89

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Perhaps their comments are just designed to sell more belts?
 

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