Maybe I'm retarded but I'm having a hard time finding information. Anyhow I need to do a timing belt on my girlfriend's SC400. For my Mitsubishi's I know there are some critical components like the timing tensioner that have to be OEM since the auto parts store ones usually fail. For doing her timing belt which kit should I go with? Any critical components I need to replace with oem parts? Or should I just grab an ebay kit and call it a day?

Matt

 

you want the waterpump to be OEM, and you want to do the waterpump while you are in there.
The OEM waterpump is AISIN, even whey bought from toyota/lexus.
Try and find a kit that has the oem parts from toyota but you can get them online nowadays as most of the toyota stores have ebay stores now.
generally you do belt, tensioner(s), idle pulley roller(s), and the waterpump.
I am not sure how many rollers the v8 has, but if you get the kit it should have the right #.

a cheap replacement gasket set that works is the erisitic brand, but I always use an oem headgaskets for a build. for regular gaskets it seems to be fine though.
so basically you could use an ebay kit in it since its just a regular timing belt job just make sure the waterpump is an Aisin unit. belts probably all come from the same place anyways.

 

Aisin makes a kit with tensioner and idler, available on rock auto for about $180. Gates brand is still quality parts for just a little less. For those components vs price, going with Aisin in an easy choice. Since the front of the motor is going to be torn down, go ahead and do the distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, and a thermostat. And just for the hell of it, change the oil and put in a new air filter. Sounds like a full weekend of wrenching.

 

I actually just did a thermostat and ignition tune up on the car so that's already done.

Does rock auto have a full kit? I havn't checked yet. It's just easier than sourcing things individually.

I've done plenty of timing jobs on my 3000GT so this should be no worse lmao

 

yep, the 180 is the full Aisin kit. This will probably be 100x easier than working on a 3000GT. I learned all of my wrenching on turbo celicas and MR2s and working on the SC400 is a piece of cake.

 

single cams non interference? sign me up!

I pretty much cringe every time I start either of my 3000s hoping that the tensioner didn't go in the middle of the night lmfao.


I also have an SR 240 drift mobile, and an FD RX7. I'm a sucker for pain in the *** cars

 

I would have to agree with that. I have never envied anyone with a DSM or a rotary. Although an unmolested 240sx was on my short list of cars that I was looking for. Still haven't found one.

 

I think all rotary owners wonder, is today the day the seals will go...