Timing belt covers

[FastAndFurious]

I've searched, but I couldn't really find an answer.

What do you guys think of driving a SHO without top and mid timing belt covers as a daily driver?

When I looked it up on other forums, some people say they are not necessary, but others say I must have them.

I wanna hear from SHO owners. What are your opinions? :thankyou:

 

[LOUDSHO92]

They are there to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting and limiting the life of things like the tensioner. I would leave it.

 

[FastAndFurious]

They are there to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting and limiting the life of things like the tensioner. I would leave it.

I would leave them there too, but I am getting a new SHO, and it doesn't have top and mid covers. It has only about 5k miles since 3.2 swap, so it does not need front 60k service for a while.

Should I find covers and put them on anyways?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

You can drive it but I would get them on ASAP.

 

[sdpatt]

As stated before, the covers protect the belt, bearings and seals from wear and exposure to moisture and grit, but they also protect fingers and loose clothing from getting mangled. Some may think it "cool" to see the spinning hardware. The idea of leaving the covers off for this purpose would go into the category of it's not cool to be stupid.

 

[FastAndFurious]

As stated before, the covers protect the belt, bearings and seals from wear and exposure to moisture and grit, but they also protect fingers and loose clothing from getting mangled. Some may think it "cool" to see the spinning hardware. The idea of leaving the covers off for this purpose would go into the category of it's not cool to be stupid.

I assumed the covers are off because the SHO I am getting is a dedicated autox SHO. I think pre owner wanted weight reduction and, he probably thought the car wouldn't see that much dirt or something.

Thank you for the advice. I will put them back as soon as possible.

 

[HazMatt]

Sorry I have to laugh at the weight reduction considering both cases weigh like 1/2lb together, IF that.

 

[FastAndFurious]

Sorry I have to laugh at the weight reduction considering both cases weigh like 1/2lb together, IF that.

Well considering his mocha SHO weighed only about 2600lb, it is very possible that he was thinking of it as weight reduction. Haha

Oh btw, the car is one of shomesomesho's SHOs he had.

I bet you would laugh at this... The car's gonna be my daily driver... Autox car as a daily driver. It will be fun.

 

[TwistedMunky]

Would it be possible to cut and throw some plexiglass in there protect it and keep them visable?

 

[frosho]

Would it be possible to cut and throw some plexiglass in there protect it and keep them visable?

Phoenix did just that. I'll see if I can find the thread about it...

 

[frosho]

Search button

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=96435

Looks like his picture disappeared, but he might find it for you if you send him a PM. Post #28 has a picture of another variation.

 

[Phoenix]

There ya go

 

[zak]

I bet you would laugh at this... The car's gonna be my daily driver... Autox car as a daily driver. It will be fun.

Best invest in some hearing protection . . . .

 

[frosho]

Phoenix, can you remember off the top of your head the size and pitch of those timing cover bolts? I wanna start gathering SS hardware to clean up under the hood.

 

[FastAndFurious]

Another question.

Would 3.0 engine timing belt covers work with 3.2 engine?

 

[zblackbeast]

I dont think so.. I remember there was a small difference somewhere, but i can't remember for sure.

 

[FastAndFurious]

I dont think so.. I remember there was a small difference somewhere, but i can't remember for sure.

Uh-oh... I will have to find 3.2 covers then. Thanks!

 

[zblackbeast]

Just did a quick search.. the 3.0 cover wont match all the bolts and some of the cover will need to be ground down to fit with the alt. Also, there will be a gap over the oil pump due to the 3.2's pump being smaller.

 

[firebat45]

I left my covers off for ease of maintenance. I can't really say how it affects durability, but I've had no problems at all with it. Until I actually see some evidence of it causing a problem, I'll continue to enjoy my 10 minute crank sensors swaps. I'd even be okay with having to replace the tensioner twice as often, given how easy it is to replace now.

However, it's my opinion that you should not leave the bottom cover on unless all the covers are there. Otherwise you've created a trap for pebbles/etc to get stuck in, right next to the timing belt.

 

[Phoenix]

Phoenix, can you remember off the top of your head the size and pitch of those timing cover bolts? I wanna start gathering SS hardware to clean up under the hood.

Oh jeez I dont remember , its been awhile. I took them in Fastenal - thats all I remember....