crapichris Posted June 21, 2015 Report Posted June 21, 2015 had the cambelt on my 2 litre pinto'd capri break on the way to a local show. Car was happily cruising along at 55mph when the engine cut out and we coasted to a halt. Didn't suss it out at first but soon found the dizzy wasn't spinning around. When we looked more closely noticed one end of the cambelt lying at the side of the engine. Had the RAC bring me home so something good came about. Question: believe the 2 litre pinto engine isn't trashed by the cambelt breaking - true or false? Also what would have cause the break - cam belt was changed 5 years ago but has only done 6000 miles? Thanks
colr6 Posted June 21, 2015 Report Posted June 21, 2015 Not sure if it's non interference engine or not. Reasons for failure could be as follows,poor quality belt/oil on belt causing failure belt badly adjusted cam or distributor seizure or if you don't have a belt cover on something getting in between belt and pulley. Easiest way check cam and distrib for rotation after putting Pistons mid stroke retime and fit new belt start and see how it runs before pulling the head off 1
crapichris Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Posted June 21, 2015 cheers for the reply. Took the distributor out of the engine at the roadside and seemed fined. Concerned that the dizzi drive in the engine possibly seized tho. There was a bit of old oil on the belt so that's another possibility. Will forget about it for a few days and then strip the timing cover off and have a look. Guess that if the dizzi drive is seized I won't be able to move the pulley on the l/h side of the engine. Frankly never heard of the drive seizing tho
colr6 Posted June 21, 2015 Report Posted June 21, 2015 Just a possibility got to check these things. I always use GATES belts and never had any problems with them.
crapichris Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Posted June 21, 2015 been out the garage and the dizzi turns if you grasp the thing by the rotor arm so assuming the drive ain't seized. Suspect oil contamination but will have a better look when I strip it down later in the week. Mate has told me the 1.6 pinto is an interference engine, the 2 litre isn't so fingers crossed. thanks again
SmokeEm Posted June 21, 2015 Report Posted June 21, 2015 Std 2.0 will be fine. Mileage is irrelevant, that inferior rubber belt is 5yrs old. Fit a new FORD one. Just make sure you time it up properly.
Moderator Rally Pack 2000 Posted June 21, 2015 Moderator Report Posted June 21, 2015 No standard Pinto engine is an interference engine. However when you start fitting higher lift cams, larger valves and skimming heads then that may no longer be the case. Age and oil do always create problems for belts. I remember when i had a group of friends with Pinto engined Escorts that those that had weepy or leaking old camshaft seals would always break belts alot more. Ideally 10,000kms is what he Australian Ford Manual specifies as a average service life but seen them go for 30,000. But we dont have he freezing exposures to the rubber like you guys do in Europe. I would imagine that takes its toll on belts as well. Unlike the poster above the only one I have had let go was a Gates one. I changed it for a Kent competition one thats many time more expensive but it should last for ages hopefully.
mk1del Posted June 21, 2015 Report Posted June 21, 2015 Fit a new good quality belt ,don't think you will have a problem, 2000cc usually ok, distributor timing probably only awkward bit,
Admin Vista Posted June 22, 2015 Admin Report Posted June 22, 2015 No standard Pinto engine is an interference engine. However when you start fitting higher lift cams, larger valves and skimming heads then that may no longer be the case. Age and oil do always create problems for belts. I remember when i had a group of friends with Pinto engined Escorts that those that had weepy or leaking old camshaft seals would always break belts alot more. Ideally 10,000kms is what he Australian Ford Manual specifies as a average service life but seen them go for 30,000. But we dont have he freezing exposures to the rubber like you guys do in Europe. I would imagine that takes its toll on belts as well. Unlike the poster above the only one I have had let go was a Gates one. I changed it for a Kent competition one thats many time more expensive but it should last for ages hopefully. how many of us do you think take our Classic Fords out when there's ice and salt on the roads
The Transplanter Posted June 22, 2015 Report Posted June 22, 2015 Reaching back into the depths of time as Ford mechanic, im sure the belt service times on all pinto cambelts was 36 months or 36k miles. those tiny belts dont last nothing like the modern ones! The early pintos didnt even reach the service interval without needing a new camshaft anyway But as everyone has suggested use a Gates one, im sure the probably make them for Motorcraft anyway
Guest kohahok29 Posted June 22, 2015 Report Posted June 22, 2015 Fit a new good quality belt ,don't think you will have a problem, 2000cc usually ok, distributor timing probably only awkward bit, agreed with you 1
crapichris Posted June 22, 2015 Author Report Posted June 22, 2015 thanks for the help guys. Will strip it down tomorrow to check that the belt didn't go for any other reason other than age. Keep you posted
colr6 Posted June 22, 2015 Report Posted June 22, 2015 The reason I use gates belts is they do make them for major manufactures and a lot of engine builders use the so can't be that bad.
mk1del Posted June 22, 2015 Report Posted June 22, 2015 Gates belt kits are fitted to most cars as original equipment, nearly all cambelts we do at our garage are gates
Moderator Rally Pack 2000 Posted June 23, 2015 Moderator Report Posted June 23, 2015 how many of us do you think take our Classic Fords out when there's ice and salt on the roads Strange we just put salt on our chips! I dare say not many would though. I wasnt directly referring to doing that per say, (although that would be bad on belts) I was more thinking of the freezing and unfreezing processes that would impact on belt life just sitting in the garage or storage over the cooler months. Luxury heated ones exempt of course and those that have their cars as lounge room ornaments during the winter.
crapichris Posted June 23, 2015 Author Report Posted June 23, 2015 now stripped down the cambelt assembly and the cover. Sure enough the pulleys are all free running so must have been the belt that just let go through old age and my ignorance. Strange as I have had capris for nigh on 20 years and done a couple of 100 000 miles in them and, yes I have changed them periodically, but never had one go before. However this one hasn't been changed for 6 years but only done 10 000 miles, been pampered and cleaned religiously, so must be something to do with age rather than mileage or care. You learn something new every week!! Gates belt ordered from Burton, now need to wait for my mate who is an ex ford engineer to come around and remove the crankshaft pulley and viscous fan, get the timing marks in the right place and fit the belt.
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