'93 2.3L Timing Belt Broke

[HighMileage93]

Getting ready to change out a broken timing belt. It let go at about 30mph while decelerating to a stop. Should I be concerned about internal damage to pistons? Does anyone know the built in advance of the cam?

 

[fastpakr]

No concern whatsoever - the 2.3 Lima is not an interference engine. Just replace the parts and drive on.

 

[HighMileage93]

Any tips for getting this type of crank pully removed?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Pull the bolt in the center of the pulley out first, easiest way is put a long breaker bar and socket (I think 7/8" or 15/16") on with the handle resting either on top of the drivers side frame rail or on the bottom side of the passenger frame rail then bump the starter. From there the whole pulley should slide off with some wiggling, if it wont a puller is likely going to be needed (but worth giving it a couple taps from the side with a soft headed hammer or a 2x4 and regular hammer)

 

[Dirtman]

The lima I just worked on didnt need any puller for the crank. Remove bolt, pulley falls off. Not press fit at all.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, not a press fit, just keyed, but they do get jammed on on occasion, you know, rust belt problems

That's why I mentioned a puller on the pulley which is normally a bad idea but it "shouldn't" take much to get it moving.

 

[HighMileage93]

Thanks for the insight guys. After I got the center bolt loose, the pully hub came right off. I used a pipe wrench (pics below) with the handle pinned against the steering linkage to hold the crank. Interesting observation, one of the four bolts for the hub line up with the keyway. It helped me keep track of where top dead center was.
Also, the factory jack handle (the long one that stores above the radiator) works great to pull the tensioner back. LOL

 

[scotts90ranger]

That works but I'm serious about bumping the starter, there's a LOT of torque available there... not as helpful with putting the bolt back in but I just leave it in gear with the parking brake on (manual trans) and go for it...

 

[snoranger]

You find out real quick if you have a bad motor mount bumping the starter to break the bolt loose.

 

[Shran]

Yeah... and 2.3s are notorious for broken motor mounts. That trick does work well though!

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm a magnet for broken motor mounts, I've broke two mounts on the '90 over the years (first was a passenger side I think), and the passenger side mount bolts on the 5.0L in my Explorer are stripped...

I think it's more torque in first gear low range than just the starter directly to the frame rail, should be anticlimactic unless you put the breaker bar on the wrong side of the frame rail

 

[Dirtman]

Wtf is a motor mount

 

[Shran]

I'm a magnet for broken motor mounts

Me too, I have trashed several. Driver's side always goes first in my 4 cylinder trucks. It's pretty obvious when it happens - hit the gas and the shifter flops WAAAAY too far over.

Passenger side on a 4x4 truck is a mother fawker to replace, I hope I never have to do that one again.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've had a harder time on drivers side if memory serves, but I've broken both at least once (things meld after 20 years) but mine is the round mounts, never dealt with the older '87 and older version... I have cut the stud off of at least one mount though...

I agree, low range is a beoch on motor mounts, had one go out while snow wheeling once and was backed into a spot so just went with it... one of the passenger side mounts broke while in the sand... in the Explorer had the second bolt break off while in low range cruising around hunting (better gear selection in low range, too much shifting between first and second in high), forgot the parking brake was on and backed up a hill and the T case shifter moved ALL OVER THE PLACE