[travlnman]

My timing belt went out and I was told that it my have damaged my lifters, is this true?
I was also told I will not need a timing light to replace the belt, is this also true?

Thanks for your help

[turbo4cobra]

It's a possibility that your lifters may have been damaged. Since the timing of the camshaft and crankshaft are run from the same belt, that determines when the piston hits TDC and when the intake/exhaust valves open accordingly. When a belt breaks, the intake/exhaust valves won't be in time with the crankshaft anymore, and the piston could potentially bend the valves in, causing damage to the lifters. Some engines can have a belt break, and have enough space between TDC and the valve to where damage won't occur. Others on the other hand can make for an expensive afternoon...

As for the timing light, it may or may not be necessary. Once you replace the belt, a timing light would be handy if you want to check how far advanced/retarded your ignition is and whether or not you want to adjust it...

Hope this helps!

[Pedal2TheFloor]

Same thing happened me a few weeks ago. My grandpa is a car guru. He helped me change mine out. He said there is enough clearance between the pistons and lifters that it couldn't possibly bend them. He said only in older (like early 1960s) cars would bend the lifters. We didn't use a timing light when we changed it out. You just gotta be very careful. another tip is its either right or its 180 degrees off so mark the location of the top timing belt pulley and the bottom one with the timing sensor on it. swap them out. Its a pain to get the new one. Start it up just long enough to hear if its in timing. Mine was retarded one tooth and it wouldn't run over 50 very easily LOL.. so you will know. It wont hurt if its only boosted 1 tooth. Hope that helps..

[heavy metal]

welcome to the site,enjoy!!!! just change the belt,the lifters are not hurt.

[93stangfutr5.0]

most cars now days are called interference motors meaning that when the piston is down the valve is were the piston will be when it comes up which means that you could bend or break you valve so your best option before you drive it again is to tear your motor down to check so you dont damage it futher meaning just pull your head off. the biggest tool you will need to be able to tear it down is probably a breaker bar to loosen the super tight bolts that havent moved in 15 years. if you dont want to or dont know how get some one you trust to do it to make sure they wont jack you on things you dont need.

[NavySVO]

You are fine. These engines are NON interference motors, meaning the piston doesn't come in contact with the valves.

You won't need a timing light to replace the belt. I am not sure what year DIS came out, but it you have a distributor, you will need to set the ignition timing when it is all said and done. The Aux Sprocket turns the distributor.

[travlnman]

So how do I set the ignition timing?

[NavySVO]

Do you have a distributor?

If so, then get the crankshaft and cam timing set at TDC, then reset the disrtibutor to the plugwire terminal at the terminal before Nr 1 plugwire. This will get you in the ballpark. I think you can "rent" a timing light at most auto parts places.
Timing should be set at 10* BTDC.

Oh, and once you have the new belt on and in place, rotate the engine by ratchet on the crank 2 full revolutions and then recheck the alignment again. Take the plugs out to help it turn over easily, and turn it in the clockwise direction (while facing engine).

If you go over to Mustang SVO Website Sponsored by the SVO Club of America and go into the forums, you will see a cool sticky on a belt replacement in the ENGINE and DRIVETRAIN section.

[93stangfutr5.0]

so on mine just get it near the right time and it will adjust itself.

[93stangfutr5.0]

got mine in if you put your car in tdc and then put the cams in tdc you could have them backwards but dont worry because like navy said it is a non interference motor i scared myself cause i put mine on 180 degrees wrong started the car and thought i heard clicking but checked the compression and it was good just spun the cams 180 degrees and it runs better than before so when you put the belt on put the crank shaft pully back on alighn it withe TC on your tm belt cover near your crankshaft make sure the cams pully is lined up with the mark on the inner tm belt cover (center of the two notches) with out putting on the belts start the car water pump will not work so not to long you dont want to screw up your motor but if your car runs really ruff spin the cams pully 180 degrees and put every thing back together should run like normal.

[NavySVO]

Originally Posted by 93stangfutr5.0

cams pully is lined up with the mark on the inner tm belt cover (center of the two notches)

Another rule of thumb is the "string method".
Line the pointer of the cam sprocket up in a straight line to the Aux sprocket center bolt. Ends up the same if you don't have the timing cover.

[93stangfutr5.0]

yea i broke the bottom peice of my outer tm belt cover the side the timing mark arent on.