Timing Belt Conversion Discussion

[kingkilburn]

I recently watched an episode of Muscle Car (from Spiketv) I had Tivoed. In this episode the host showed a kit to convert a small block ford to a belt driven timing system instead of chain driven.

My question or topic starter is, is this a feasible mod for a KADE and do you think it would be worth while?

I would like people to consider all things in their post from the obvious, like that fact that it would cost as much as a new chain setup. To more technical things that you might benefit from it.

I really have no idea about it but Zilvia's tech section seemed to me to be a better place to ask than Nico.
K Kilburn

[sideview_180sx]

the sheer cost of having to redesign the front cover that houses the timing chain. let alone the fact that it lubricates the chain. its not worth it. remember timing chains are usually designed to last the motor. its the guides on the top and sides that usually need to be replaced. remember why worry about getting a new belt every 60k miles. or worry about it snapping or fraying. timing chain doesn't have that.

[jdm538]

second..

agreed timing chains are longer lasting and give you the coolest sounding rattle noises.

[projectRDM]

After recently doing three timing belt jobs on various cars, I don't see the point. A chain will last a shitload longer and you don't have near the alignment issues.

[kingkilburn]

Thanks for the answers guys. I definitely see what you guys are saying.

[95gstnj]

yea, i gotta say timing belts suck alot

[DALAZ_68]

then again belts dont scrap holes to ur coolant sstem causing ur oil to turn into brown coffee lol :bigok:

[Antihero983]

second..

agreed timing chains are longer lasting and give you the coolest sounding rattle noises.

wouldnt be a KA with out the rattle!! :cool:

[projectRDM]

then again belts dont scrap holes to ur coolant sstem causing ur oil to turn into brown coffee lol :bigok:

Is that even English? Tell me how a chain caused a coolant/oil mix, I'm dying to here this one.

[SxMachine]

When your little oem plastic tchain guide/tensioner final gives (that funny rattling noise) your chain has a lot of play and literally saws into the timing chain cover. Your timing chain cover has water jackets that once sawed thu leaks all into ya oil. Thats my prob RIGHT now. Coolant in the oil.

[Gjohnson7]

That sucks.

So to the OP, did the Muscle Car show give any explanation on why they were converting to a belt system?

[KiLLeR2001]

Shit. If I had it my way my alternator and power steering belts would be chains and sprockets instead of the pulleys.

[kingkilburn]

I think it had something to do with quick cam swaps on high end drag racers. I'm not sure though, that was 5 months ago. If it comes on again I'll update this thread to include that info.

[projectRDM]

When your little oem plastic tchain guide/tensioner final gives (that funny rattling noise) your chain has a lot of play and literally saws into the timing chain cover. Your timing chain cover has water jackets that once sawed thu leaks all into ya oil. Thats my prob RIGHT now. Coolant in the oil.

The upper timing cover has no water jackets in it, period. The lower cover has one, to the far side of the intake, and if you've got that much chain slap to damage it you've already jumped a dozen teeth anyway.
And the plastic lower guide is just that, a guide. If no way does it tension the chain. Plus it's on the exhaust side, so if it was damaged you wouldn't have chain slap on the opposite side. Sounds like the tensioner lost pressure and laxed, allowing for that slap to damage the cover. Either way, it's wasn't the guide's fault.

[Gjohnson7]

When your little oem plastic tchain guide/tensioner final gives (that funny rattling noise) your chain has a lot of play and literally saws into the timing chain cover. Your timing chain cover has water jackets that once sawed thu leaks all into ya oil. Thats my prob RIGHT now. Coolant in the oil.

How many miles did you have on that motor?

[super240sx7185]

On my sohc ka the whole guide was gone and it allowed the chain to eat through the timing cover. The guy at the machine shop said it was a common problem on ka24e's because the guide was solid plastic and eventually fell apart.

[KA-T_240]

^some what true.

Also, if you would go to a timing belt you should need to redesign the distributor, cause it is drivin off of the chian. It would never be worth it, on our motors.

[98s14inaz]

After recently doing three timing belt jobs on various cars, I don't see the point. A chain will last a shitload longer and you don't have near the alignment issues.

I agree, timing chains > timing belts. Stronger, last longer, and easier to align.

[codyace]

then again belts dont scrap holes to ur coolant sstem causing ur oil to turn into brown coffee lol :bigok:

No, when belts snap they destroy your valvetrain.

[kingkilburn]

Just so every one is clear I came to the conclusion that belts are weaker, a broken belt = destroyed valve train, no place for distributor, and the cost to redesign the front cover would be ridiculous. The only thing that would be a detriment in the original application(old Ford V8) is that belts are weaker.

[superJoy]

Besides, if you want a belt, get an RB or a CA. Modifying a KA to belt drive would be silly.

[IIIXziuR]

Is there even any benefit of a belt versus a chain?

It seems like belts maybe would run quieter but other than that I don't really see the point.