retarded question...

[rurouni20xx]

hi guys my name is ed they threw me out of AA and decided to relocate me here...just kidding. i am the proud new owner of a 92 2.3 2wd ranger w/ m50d, it has a busted tranny and i picked it up for 400 bux, im getting a tranny from the picknpull for 158 bux sometime this week so not to worry. my question is this: i have had a bad experience w/ timing belts in the past (the demise of my beloved 91 integra...) and was wondering if there is an external timing chain upgrade for this motor. i know it sounds crazy but id like there to be a chain on my motor rather than a rubber belt, i know the belts are reliable changed many and seen them last long time on others vehicles but if i can have a lil peace of mind ill spend the money. thanx for any replies or wtfs.

 

[baddis]

i am not saying there isn't one but i have never seen one. the good thing about the 2.3 is it is a non interference engine meaning the valves and pistons will not hit if the belt fails.

 

[ceraboy]

I am guessing that an external chain upgrade is not going to be any off the shelf item. The problem being that the timing chain should be oil lubricated which is why they tend to be so reliable. Modifying your 2.3 with a chain and oil lubrication is going to be pretty serious work, nothing that can be simply bolted on. On another note as far as I know none of the 2.3 lima's are interference engines so other than stranding you, you wont destroy the engine. Furthermore, my experience with timing belt breakages on these ranger is from far over exceeding change intervals, very very few premature failures.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

change the belt every 80K like your supposed to and you wont have any problems. like ceraboy said, the only people that hate timing belts are the ones that ignore the belt change interval. $25 every 80,000 miles isnt asking much.

 

[locovaca]

Also, your Integra is FWD, which is more of a pain to change. My Ranger was my first timing belt I've done myself and it was dead easy.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I had a 2.3 with over 200k miles, and I never changed the timing belt on it (I know, don't yell at me I was 16)... I still see it running around today, I hope the current owner changed it... I don't recommend doing that, I'm just saying it to let you know you don't have anything to worry about... Change it when you're supposed to and you will be fine...

 

[TheTopher]

Also, your Integra is FWD, which is more of a pain to change. My Ranger was my first timing belt I've done myself and it was dead easy.

The timing belt on those isn't too bad, you can put a jack under the engine to take the weight and pull the driver side motor mount and then it's about as roomy as the front of a 2.3 engine.

 

[rurouni20xx]

thats correct the timing belt set for my integra was 90 bux couldnt get the tensioner spring anymore (the part that failed causing it to jump time) and the interval was a lil sooner. went to have it done and the shops were closed that sat and the dealer wanted 700 bux to do it and i didnt know how at the time. then went to lunch that sun and popped the belt in the parking lot, changed the belt myself in the parking lot and it ran...w/ 10 bent valves...hence my fear of them. i looked at the trk today i agree it isnt dif to change and i should be able to as often as required just was looking into a nicer arrangement to do it and have peace of mind. (that too much to ask for sometimes? lol) since it is a used trk i will be changing it along w/ the regular maintenance items just wanted to know if anybody had heard of one and id rather spend the money to install it now while im doing it anyway. thanks for the replies and im going back standard belt, just wanted to know if anybody heard of one.