Had somebody on miata.net recommend getting a timing belt kit on e-bay. Something like this. Comes with belt, seals, pulley, and everything, including a water pump.
Any experience with these? I'm a bit hesitant to trust a kit that costs only slightly more than a water pump usually does.
There are some that are a bit more expensive. But I'm a bit more trusting of their parts, since they actually list the brand on the parts, and I can find retailers selling the same brands.
CoryB
Reader
7/15/08 8:02 a.m.
I got one a month or so ago for my '93. The parts were brand name stuff except the seals weren't boxed so I don't know what brand they were. Everything fit well and, so far at about 500 miles, there are no leaks or problems.
I had an OEM valve cover gasket so I used that but I didn't replace anything else in the kit. Mine came from ebay seller theautopartsconnection.
Personally, I'd reccomend Flyin' Miata. I've always had great service & support from them, and it's realy convenient being able to ask Kieth questions on here!
petegossett wrote:
Personally, I'd reccomend Flyin' Miata. I've always had great service & support from them, and it's *realy* convenient being able to ask Kieth questions on here!
I ordered my shocks from them. As much as I like their stuff, it would cost double to triple ordering from e-bay. And I just had to get a new radiator recently too.
Miatas are non-interference engines, so if the belt breaks you just get to do the job again.
skruffy wrote:
Miatas are non-interference engines, so if the belt breaks you just get to do the job again.
I'm aware of that. I'm more worried about the water pump than the belt.
Dashpot
New Reader
7/16/08 6:13 a.m.
I did it. So far so good after a couple of thousand miles....
The FM kit is quality through and through. My NAPA kit used Gates branded products and was what I would call a step under FMs for the same price (both are good quality one is better) remember that Mazda sells these as well and they are pretty good stuff.
dansxr2
New Reader
7/16/08 4:19 p.m.
I used a Napa/Gates Belt on my Miata as the H20pump was on its way out so I swapped it while the front of the engine was apart. Its a realitively easy job.
I've had pretty good luck with ebay no-name performance crap in my Zx2. The only thing that would stop me is if it were an interference engine, which I'm pretty sure the Miata is not.
I've had good luck from the timing kit on my volvo white block, I use IPD for harder for find stuff like lifters.