Pinto Car Club of America

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: flyboy1 on September 11, 2009, 08:15:18 PM

Title: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: flyboy1 on September 11, 2009, 08:15:18 PM
is there eny trick to geting a new timing belt on with out taking the crank pully off? its a 2.3l out of a 1980 pinto.
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: douglasskemp on September 11, 2009, 09:04:05 PM
Only trick I know is to remove the large crankshaft accessory belt pulley.  Never had to remove the crank gear though.
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: flyboy1 on September 11, 2009, 09:08:47 PM
yea the big pully at the bottem of the engine. is there eny way to slipp the bellt in there without removing the pully?
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: 72pair on September 11, 2009, 09:48:57 PM
Luckily, the pulley is not a press fit, just remove the bolt, apply a little penetrating oil and lightly pry/tap the pulley off. From experience, its usually easier to spend time getting a few things out of the way than trying to work around them. Most every 2.3 I remember removing the pulley to free up the lower cover and replace the belt. Would like to see other ideas though. Good luck. JT
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: blupinto on September 11, 2009, 11:24:08 PM
I wish there was a way to do it without removing the crankshaft pulley, but if there is I haven't found it. I've had to replace the timing belt on my 2.3 earlier this year (for all the good that did the car!) and Jerry (who helped me) and I needed a pulley puller to get the pulley off. What fun.  :-\
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: flyboy1 on September 11, 2009, 11:41:17 PM
well looks like i get to pull the bottom pully............whats the best way to keep the pully from turning when you take the bolt out?
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: flyboy1 on September 11, 2009, 11:45:23 PM
Quote from: 72pair on September 11, 2009, 09:48:57 PM
Would like to see other ideas though.


i could just bend the belt cover back a little bit around the bottom pully
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: 71pintoracer on September 13, 2009, 09:10:31 AM
I've done it on a 2.0 but not the 2.3. To get the crank bolt out, put a socket on a breaker bar and let it rest on the driver side frame rail, then bump the starter. Spray the pulley with some penatrant and let it soak for a while, take two pry bars and it should come off.
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: pintoguy76 on September 27, 2009, 01:02:04 AM
I've done it without taking the pulley off but it wasnt fun. Last 2.3 I took the pulley off of. Took the bolt off with the impact wrench and the pulley pulled off by hand. I was sure surprised by that.
Title: Re: what is the best way to change the timing belt on a 2.3l?
Post by: TIGGER on September 28, 2009, 01:50:29 AM
Quote from: flyboy1 on September 11, 2009, 11:41:17 PM
well looks like i get to pull the bottom pully............whats the best way to keep the pully from turning when you take the bolt out?

On my 79 wagon, I put it in 4th gear (4spd car) and blocked the wheels and it came off fairly easily with a breaker bar and a cheater pipe.  I will remember the starter trick when I have to do an auto car.  BTW, I have always had to use a puller to get the pulley off the crank. Good luck to you....