Pinto Car Club of America
Shiny is Good! => General Pinto Talk => Topic started by: JoeBob on August 24, 2011, 08:39:29 PM
So the bob is 34 years old. I just had a thought. Timing belt? It is a belt and not a chain on the 2.3. This is important right? I'm not much of a mechanic I don't even know how to find it. What should I pay to have it done. btw it has 62,000 miles.
It is a simple job on a 2.3. Nothing like a Honda. I would think a good mechanic could do it in 1/2 hour. I would guess $65 for the belt.
Dave
I just bought a belt from NAPA a year ago for $21.00. The good thing about the 2.3 is that it is a non-interference engine, meaning if the belt breaks, the valves do not contact (interfere) with the pistons. It will just die and not start. I have had them fail before 62,000 miles back in the '70's, but if you want peace of mind with a 33 year old car, I would replace it.
As was said above, very easy for a mechanic, and not so bad for a shade tree one either! I did my '72 wagon one night in a parking lot with a flashlight in 20 minutes. I was a lot younger then, LOL.
Good luck,
Dave