!991 LX Mustang. Please Help.

RLN · 05-31-2007

Ive got a non turbo 1991 LX 2.3l with the D.I.S. that keeps eating Timing Belts.I think Ive narrowed the problem down to a bearing,shaft and gear that is driven by the auxillary shaft and in turn drives the oil pump.I have no idea what the technical name for these parts are besides bearing,shaft & gear thus making it very difficult to find them.It looks like a headless distributor with the driven gear at the end of the housing.Ive asked all the local parts stores and nobody knows what im talking about.Please Help.

b_chandler · 06-01-2007

I don't think I've ever seen the oil pump drive cause a timing belt to fail. Forget the local parts stores. Unless they're real parts guys, they'll have no idea what you're talking about. The guys at the Ford dealership will know though.

What exactly is happening to the belt? Is it shredding on one side or are the teeth getting stripped off? What condition is the timing belt tensioner in?

scruffman · 06-01-2007

belt tensioner??

RLN · 06-01-2007

The car runs great until it hits operating temp and then see ya later timing
> belt.I think whats going on is the shaft is expanding when it heats up and
> seizing in a waisted bearing or to much play and stopping the aux shaft from
> turning in turn chewing the timing belt.you can see the gear wear is only on
> one half of the gear.from about a 1/4" of play.The shaft gear and bearing are
> all damaged, I just dont know what there called .
> The tensioner is new(replaced it with the first belt)
> thanx for the response I appreciate any help I can get.
> Rob

b_chandler · 06-02-2007

I think you already know this, but you're going to have to replace both the auxiliary shaft and the oil pump drive. My concern now is what caused that to happen. I've got a '91 myself that now has 193,000 miles on it and is still rockin the original aux shaft and oil pump drive. I'm wondering if you have an oil pump issue. What do the aux. shaft bearings look like? Are they scored or worn through the babbit material?

RLN · 06-03-2007

the aux shaft bearings look good,I think what caused the oil pump drive to fail was the sealed bearing on the top of the oil pump drive is waisted but now at least I know its called an oil pump drive.ill give you an update after I replace it and well see how it runs.Thanx for the help,Rob

RLN · 06-03-2007

oh,the teeth on the timing belt are getting stripped off at the crankshaft.

b_chandler · 06-03-2007

Make sure they give you the right part. They might end up quoting and ordering just the hex shaft that goes between the drive and the pump. While it's a good idea to replace it if it's worn out, it's not the part you're looking for.

If you lived closer, I'd let you try mine since I'm not driving the car much these days.

Actually, it may not be a bad idea to try to find one in a junkyard. You won't be out much money if that doesn't entirely solve the problem.

mustangcar · 06-04-2007

hmm i know that the belts notches are different on the 1989 2.3,they are square and the newer 2.3s 90 or 91 and up are U shaped with larger grooves,different camshaft pulley,,all the pulleys are different,,,I hate DIS,love distributors

b_chandler · 06-05-2007

He does bring up a good point. '92 and '93 had a round tooth belt. while '91 still had the old square tooth belt. I think they ask which belt at the parts store. Check your pulleys, they'll show you which belt you need.