Chains are great for cam-in-block OHV engines. Unfortunately US manufacturers still found ways of screwing up what should have been simple and reliable. For example, my 351W that had a plastic/steel chain gear, or my "Iron Duke" chainless gear-to-gear engine that had a "phenolic resin composite" gear (plasticized cardboard). Both failed. So, I'm not overly stoked by the idea that chains or even gear-to-gear cam drives are more reliable.
Multiple cam, multiple head engines, with multiple chain guides, tensioner(s), etc., are a complexity nightmare.
I guess a good argument can be made for not using belts on a simple single head SOHC engine, but belts are quieter.
I've heard that Toyota has a policy of always using chains on interference engines and saving belts for non-interference engines. I haven't surveyed their entire engine history to know if this is strictly true, but it sounds like a good idea.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: Trav
If you do this yourself Aisin makes a very good kit with the double bearing idlers, Aisin water pump, a new OE tensioner and Mitsuboshi belt.
A timing belt job for a Subaru (Fiji) has compontents made by Mitsubishi (another Japanese industry giant) and Aisin (Controlling interest by Toyota)
Mitsuboshi belts is not Mitsubishi.
Multiple cam, multiple head engines, with multiple chain guides, tensioner(s), etc., are a complexity nightmare.
I guess a good argument can be made for not using belts on a simple single head SOHC engine, but belts are quieter.
I've heard that Toyota has a policy of always using chains on interference engines and saving belts for non-interference engines. I haven't surveyed their entire engine history to know if this is strictly true, but it sounds like a good idea.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: Trav
If you do this yourself Aisin makes a very good kit with the double bearing idlers, Aisin water pump, a new OE tensioner and Mitsuboshi belt.
A timing belt job for a Subaru (Fiji) has compontents made by Mitsubishi (another Japanese industry giant) and Aisin (Controlling interest by Toyota)
Mitsuboshi belts is not Mitsubishi.