Timing belt

[badcamelot]

Like most - Im broke and need to fix...ok overhaul my DD. I have a donor motor/tranny and subframe. It was running and driveable (how well, I dont know) but the tappets (I think in the US you call them lifters) are ticking real loud, the tranny was shot 30K ago and the water pump is all but seized on the current powertrain in the DD. This donor one has served well for parts (alt, starter etc) but I dont have the $$$ to repair all that but need the car for work - so in goes the donor. I have no choice but to buy new water pump, but I can swap the starter and alt etc back on. My question is this: the timing belt looks pretty good on this donor unit, is a visual inspection a good enough guage on how good the belt is? I know and would love to replace cam and crank sensors while there with water pump and a new belt and seals IF I had the dough, but since I dont, I wanted to get feedback regarding the belt.
Thanks.

 

[jelloslug]

If you have no choice but to use a used belt than so be it. If the donor engine did not have any coolant or oil leaks in the timing belt area and there are no cracks in the belt you can probably get away with using the used belt for a while.

 

[badcamelot]

Thank you, thats what I assumed. I removed the water pump from that engine 25K ago to replace the one that was on my DD, but that one is on its way out now too. But the belt seems to be fairly new and certainly no visual signs of cracks and little wear.
Thank you.

 

[sperold]

All the stuff is easy to do with the engine removed. Everything is hard with the engine in the car.
But money talks, so do what you can with the money you have.
The belts do not go bad very often. I have 2 units with over 200k on both of them and no belt issues.