timing belt, when to change?
 

I remember looking at the service booklet that came with my truck, and it never says to change the timing belt....even after 150K miles?
Do these belts last that long now? Are 2.5's free turning (valves don't hit pistons)?

I know most people used to say to change it around 70-90k miles.

2.5 is a non-interference engine. should be no damage. The standard belt intervals should be a safe guidance (60-100K depending on where you look).

I changed mine around 150K miles (not that it had any issue, just to be on the safe side).

But did it look bad? My fan belt looked ok when I changed the alternator last fall (80K mi).
I have waited for the water pump to start leaking before I change the belt....maybe on this one too.
I wonder why Ford doesn't even mention changing it?

I found it....Gates recommends changing the 2.5 belt @ 120K.

Hey neighbor, mine snapped on me while driving at about 135, it was original equipment. Took a trip to auto zone on Lincoln street cost $35, easy fix

That is good to know....did Auto Zone have the pully puller to lend out?
So it didn't hurt the motor at least?

I see your part of the Hendrix family too :)

I had my timing belt changed at 203,000 miles when it snapped coming back from an arcade/amusement auction in Maryland last Fall. It was a one owner vehicle and the maintenance receipts the owner gave me showed that the belt had never been changed.

I didn't know belts could last that long, but the truck was very well taken care of. I've kind of made a habit of only buying 1 owner used vehicles since then.

Don't want to hijack but I am getting ready to do mine here in a few weeks, and I am wondering if there are any gaskets or seals I need to get before I tear it apart? I got the belt and a new tensioner, what else am I missing?

Yup, they had the tools to lend out. The engine is non interference so all the internals are ok. I remember calling the ford garage right after and asked them how much it was going to cost and they said $1200 cause they had to strip the engine to see if the internals were ok. I did a two second search to find out the answer to that one lol. So your saving a ton of money as you already know. and HELL YEAH to the Hendrix Family!

Nope, your all set

i have a 96 and i just replaced mine at 150k