How old is too old for a NOS timing belt

Bought a car a while back with a 2.3 Ford Lima with just about everything Esslinger had available...in 1990, including a wide timing belt and gear set. That wide timing belt is no longer available from Esslinger.

Luckily I got a lot of spare (circa-early 90's ) parts with the car which includes a new Ford (Dayco) belt with M-6268-B221, 92-08-1, 62-0824, High Temp & High Perf printed on it. I've been unable to find a new belt, and I assume the 92-08-1 is a date code, making it ~30 years old.

Considering the existing belt is an unknown age and the motor has ~400 lb  open valve spring pressure, would you use the NOS belt.  I've barely driven the car around the block since I got it, I was hoping to put a new belt on before assessing the rest of the motor. Normal 2.3 Limas are non-interference motors, I'm not so sure about this one as only the block and waterpump appear to be factory Ford parts... shaved aluminum head, .620" lift cam, decked block, etc.

If you have full dimensions you can source a newer replacement belt.

Belts age just like tires.  If it is more than 7 years old, cut it in half so you aren't tempted to use it.

I remember a story about someone starting a Metro 6R4 that had been in storage for 20 or so years, and the belt shed its teeth within minutes, trashing the engine.

That's really nice motor........get a new belt. I get it may take time.

Definitely get a new belt and then enjoy that incredible machine. 

In reply to AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) :

Any idea where? The tooth profile and length is likely the same as pre-'89(?) 2.3 Fords, just wider. 

Esslinger still shows the "wide round" belt for the Ford SOHC 2.3 available: 

https://esslingeracing.com/belts-13/ford-sohc-timing-belts

As well as the whole kit: 

https://esslingeracing.com/gears/ford-sohc-wide-round-tooth-timing

If the wide belt isn't available can't you just switch back to the narrow gears and belt?

Y'alls answers confirmed my suspicions, I knew of the age limit for belts in use, just wondered about NOS... not worth the risk on an interference motor. If it was a non-bend-the-valves motor I'd probably try the old belt. Looks like Essilnger has an updated timing belt/pulley kit for not a whole lot of $$$, just a bit of a drag as I was thinking I could swap a $30 belt and move on...  I'm not sure why I was thinking that, not much else on this car has been like that... fun stuff!

CrustyRedXpress said:

Esslinger still shows the "wide round" belt for the Ford SOHC 2.3 available:  <snip>

Yeah, I was typing my post as you posted... I was hoping to find just a belt, but the kit will be the way to go for sure, just 10X what I was planning to spend...

Thanks

Hayduke said:

CrustyRedXpress said:

Esslinger still shows the "wide round" belt for the Ford SOHC 2.3 available:  <snip>

Yeah, I was typing my post as you posted... I was hoping to find just a belt, but the kit will be the way to go for sure, just 10X what I was planning to spend...

Thanks

He gave you the link to buy just the Esslinger belt alone. It's not too expensive.

This page, last belt on the list. There's also some good tech info about the belts in the paragraph at the bottom of that page.

CLICK HERE FOR JUST THE BELT

Hayduke said:

Y'alls answers confirmed my suspicions, I knew of the age limit for belts in use, just wondered about NOS... not worth the risk on an interference motor. If it was a non-bend-the-valves motor I'd probably try the old belt. Looks like Essilnger has an updated timing belt/pulley kit for not a whole lot of $$$, just a bit of a drag as I was thinking I could swap a $30 belt and move on...  I'm not sure why I was thinking that, not much else on this car has been like that... fun stuff!

The eternal plague of the auto enthusiast. The optimism that our project is done nickel-and-dimeing us to death. 

I drove a Mk 3 Cortina (the US never got these) with the 2.0 SOHC engine in it. Made around 80,00 miles before the belt gave up - as the car coated into my driveway at home.  OTOH, changing them isn't that big a deal so a bit of insurance would be to spend a day putting a new one in and doing any other maintenance needed.

Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:

Hayduke said:

Yeah they have a variety including a standard width square tooth , but what was their hot setup in 1990 (wide square tooth)is no longer made. I'm ordering the 'standard' round tooth kevlar belt kit and tensioner as it's supposed to be a 'drop-in' replacement for what I've got. And I'm concerned the standard width belt may not play well with the triple valve springs.

He gave you the link to buy just the Esslinger belt alone. It's not too expensive.

This page, last belt on the list. There's also some good tech info about the belts in the paragraph at the bottom of that page.

CLICK HERE FOR JUST THE BELT

Yes when ordering them for industrial equipment I had catalogs like this.

https://www.continental-industry.com/en/solutions/power-transmission/industrial-applications/drive-belts/service/products/service-tools-catalogues/endless-timing-belt-catalog?gclid=CjwKCAiA-dCcBhBQEiwAeWidtWq_tDrlcm9QqNpvGF46f842L-ZYYtwGIgu_bzX7mPv1C7-77_xFUBoCXJIQAvD_BwE
 

Gates and Goodyear should have them too.

Grainger can probably help too.