SVT timing belt-IMPORTANT!!

Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:35 am

I started tearing into mine this morning at 89k and found this,

After seeing what mine looks like at 89k I would highly suggest changing these out at intervals less than 90k.

Y2k · Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:50 am

wow playing with fire right there...

Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:07 am

Yep, I'm glad I didn't put it off any longer.

It's done, running and no VCT CEL

Big thanks to Dave aka FocusMech.73155 for his expert assistance, I'm sure I could have managed it by myself but it was nice having someone around that had experience with the timing belt on a car with VCT.

Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:12 am

Damn, definately time to change it!

Wowza! Good to hear you guys got it all done

How long you tackle it in?

PBZX3 · Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:16 am

It's strange that it was that far gone at 89k. I replaced one on my sons 01 ZX3 at 120k and it still looked fine. My 01 ZX3 runs without the timing belt cover so I can look at that one any time the hoods open. It now has just under 120k and still looks good too. I wonder what the difference is between the SVT and ZX3 blets. I would have thought they were the same?

Sat Jun 06, 2009 1:12 pm

I have around 83,000 on my wagon and it needs the belt...looks just like Steve's.

Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:46 pm

The SVT and Zetec use the same belt, The only difference is a different tensioner.

I suppose the belt in an SVT might see more abuse than a standard Zetec due to the fact that the SVT has a factory redline of 7200 rpm.

From pulling it into the garage to firing it up was about 2 1/2-3 hours I suppose and that includes me having to put it back up on stands to change oil after I set it down the first time because I forgot to change it while it was up in the air the first time.

zurno · Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:58 pm

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:The SVT and Zetec use the same belt, The only difference is a different tensioner.

I suppose the belt in an SVT might see more abuse than a standard Zetec due to the fact that the SVT has a factory redline of 7200 rpm.

From pulling it into the garage to firing it up was about 2 1/2-3 hours I suppose and that includes me having to put it back up on stands to change oil after I set it down the first time because I forgot to change it while it was up in the air the first time.

I go to the limiter on every shift on my ZX3. How the hell is this thing still running?

got like 146k on this thing, maybe I should go check that belt sometime

Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:03 pm

zurno wrote:
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:The SVT and Zetec use the same belt, The only difference is a different tensioner.

I suppose the belt in an SVT might see more abuse than a standard Zetec due to the fact that the SVT has a factory redline of 7200 rpm.

From pulling it into the garage to firing it up was about 2 1/2-3 hours I suppose and that includes me having to put it back up on stands to change oil after I set it down the first time because I forgot to change it while it was up in the air the first time.

I go to the limiter on every shift on my ZX3. How the hell is this thing still running?

got like 146k on this thing, maybe I should go check that belt sometime

Remind me to never buy a car from you.

ClOckwOrkSVT · Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:29 pm

timing chains FTW. lol

MNiceGuy · Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:34 pm

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:
zurno wrote:
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:The SVT and Zetec use the same belt, The only difference is a different tensioner.

I suppose the belt in an SVT might see more abuse than a standard Zetec due to the fact that the SVT has a factory redline of 7200 rpm.

From pulling it into the garage to firing it up was about 2 1/2-3 hours I suppose and that includes me having to put it back up on stands to change oil after I set it down the first time because I forgot to change it while it was up in the air the first time.

I go to the limiter on every shift on my ZX3. How the hell is this thing still running?

got like 146k on this thing, maybe I should go check that belt sometime
Remind me to never buy a car from you.

+1

You could just put a spin on it. 146,000 "enthusiastically applied" miles.

Are the Zetecs interference engines?

FocusMech.73155 · Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:41 pm

No the Zetecs are not interference engines

Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:14 pm

Standard Zetecs are non-interference.

SVT's are interference so if the belt slips or fails you get a bunch of smashed valves.

02svtfocus · Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:33 pm

I had taken my timing cover off a few days ago and saw the exact same thing as this. I was debating on grabbing one when i was up there getting the mach lip and bezel but I can get a gates kit for 60 bucks at my PT job at parts plus. prolly gunna hit this up within a week. all-data says its like a 3.5 hours job so you did it pretty fast. Was there anything special you needed other then a camshaft holder to lock the cams down so you dont jump the timing??

Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:32 am

02svtfocus wrote:I had taken my timing cover off a few days ago and saw the exact same thing as this. I was debating on grabbing one when i was up there getting the mach lip and bezel but I can get a gates kit for 60 bucks at my PT job at parts plus. prolly gunna hit this up within a week. all-data says its like a 3.5 hours job so you did it pretty fast. Was there anything special you needed other then a camshaft holder to lock the cams down so you dont jump the timing??

You'll need Torx bits and the timing tools but other than that just parts.

Timing belt, timing tensioner, idler and valve cover gasket, water pump isn't a horrible idea either as apparently mines leaking a bit but I didn't have a pump handy and I couldn't afford to run out and buy one yesterday.