soviet

iTrader: (10)

If you're making X times more power than stock then its a no brainer. The reasoning is simple - crankshaft rotation is not smooth. The crankshaft accelerates with every combustion event. If you're making 3 times the stock power, then guess what, that acceleration is 3 times higher. The belt rides directly on the crankshaft and therefore it is subject to much higher forces as well.

Hence I have the blue belt.

good2go

iTrader: (2)

Looks like they're already listing again. Shows three available. I agree, for that price, why the hell wouldn't you go blue.
Gates T179RB Engine Timing Belt High Performance Automotive Timing Belt | eBay

Rallas

iTrader: (9)

Yup, that is the same guy. They ship fast too!

Rallas

iTrader: (9)

I just cranked it for the first time since I did the turbo install and timing belt swap. I forgot I stuck the blue belt in there since it didn't sound any different. My car isn't quiet by any means, but I don't hear any sounds that would be considered annoying on the street. I have not tried a 30 degree cold start, which might be a different story.

Rallas

iTrader: (9)

SOB!!! While getting ready to pull new wires for sequential fuel and COP I noticed something strange.


I noticed a small bolt sticking through the upper timing belt cover right below the valve cover. I pulled the valve cover and timing belt cover and found this.


That is freaking less than 100 miles on a brand new belt. Luckily I found the first one for cheap and picked up a replacement from the same guy for $35 again. I am glad timing belt replacements are easy on these cars. I am used to the hell of front wheel drive timing belt replacements on 1.8T VW engines (i've done 8 of those) and rank 2nd on my worst jobs to do, right after FWD clutch replacement.

I found the culprit.


I found one of the timing belt cover backing plate bolts missing and three others were loose too. I knew I should have used locktite on these too, i did on every other bolt. Bad news is that I think the one that came out is stripped on the head side. I will have too drill and tap for a slightly larger bolt or come up with some way to prevent this from happening in the future. Right now I wish I could just leave all these covers off!

I never heard any strange noises or anything. By the look of the belt I am lucky to have made it home. These belts must be real strong if it can stay in tact with half of the cords being cut!

slammed200

iTrader: (8)

Nice front thermostat block off btw!

soviet

iTrader: (10)

I had that happen to me, except the bolt went through the valve cover O_O
Thats the story of how I have exposed timing belt.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Be careful with those bolts. They are different lengths and you really need to pay attention. The holes are blind. If you put a too-long bolt into one of the holes and torque, the result is either a sheared head or stripped threads.

Oh . . . and loktite FTW!

curly

iTrader: (25)

I've started to just use my drill to "torque" those M6x1 bolts. It says 19ft/lbs. Whatever that means.

If I try to put any force on them I snap the heads off.

Rallas

iTrader: (9)

I might look into running an exposed belt. I have always been worried about getting crap in an exposed belt, but after this crap I might just get some adjustable cam gears and run with an exposed belt. I need to do some research first. Do you guys take all the covers off? I always thought most people just trim the valve cover so you can access the can gears but leave other covers on.

Rallas

iTrader: (9)

Thanks! Made it out of 1/4" 6061 plate tapped for 1/4 NPT and used 1/4 NPT tee and barbed fittings. Works great. 3 years and 5 track days with no leaks or issues.

Preluding

iTrader: (10)

I've been running fully exposed with blue belt for 3 years...no issue yet as daily driver...

homo question to thread jack this a little....is there a safe way to clean this belt to keep it shiny blue and pretty??

SchmoozerJoe

iTrader: (2)

Yes. Leave it covered.

Preluding

iTrader: (10)

Landrew

iTrader: (2)

Who's run these consistently in sub zero weather and can comment on the cold start (literally) noise?

Rallas

iTrader: (9)

I have had a few PMs now about the source of the $35 blue belt.

Engine Timing Belt High Performance Automotive Timing Belt Gates T179RB | eBay

Just do an EBay search for Miata gates timing belt and this guy pops up. He seems to relist frequently.

julezer

Glad to know that it's properly listed. I was convinced that he had accidentally listed this as a timing belt rather than a serpentine/accessory belt.

Let's hope there is no such thing as a Gates "rep"

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

I'll give anyone a $20 bounty to find a Gates Blue belt for an F2T.

julezer

Is it the same belt as the F2?

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

12v F2, yes. No idea if the 8v F2 uses the same one.