timing belt shelf life

Yes, they are actually Dayco/Isoran now. So they are older.

 

The Dayco's have both the model number and batch numbers on them, 096s254 and 94485 being the part numbers (in blue) and batch numbers i.e. (in white) printed on them, the batch number is sequential every 5mm or so on the belt so they tend to have 5 numbers printed in a Colum on each belt, in the case of the one I've got in front of me 05053119,05053120,05053121,05053122, 05053123. with the first 6 numbers indicating year(05) month (05/may)and date (31st) of manufacture

Personally I wouldn’t fit something older than a year or so on a car, after all we change the belts to ensure there are new ones on.....why replace an old belt with another old one, when Daniel at Ricambi can supply new ones for only a few dollars

 

who did you buy them from ?

 

I'd bet you can't get belts that were made less than a year ago.

Dave

 

Dave the 31st of May 2005 is 7 months ago...............always pays to read before you type

 

?? Here are two 111334 belts:
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Daniel

it interesting to see the different markings for the Ferrari branded belts over the Dayco branded belts (when they come off the same production line)
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Okay, possible dumb question, but how do we know '05 refers to 2005? Does it actually have to mean that, or could it also mean '95? I would really feel good knowing when I put on new belts that they are really that new. This is one of the best posts in a while. Now I have to go look at the belts I bought and check the dates.

Lastly, is there any better made belt on the market, something more robust, or more indestructable? Kevlar, anything? Heck, I wouldnt even flinch paying over $100 per belt if I knew they were almost bulletproof for the same maintainance period. Also, is there any other cog pulleys on the market that can use a upgraded belt design? Better and larger idler bearing?

 

Okay, I just went and drug out some of my new parts. My belts are 107833, Ferrari belts, Dayco Isoran 101 R 254, all letters in white. Also, in another area of the belts, white numbers 4132037, 38, 39, 40, 41, on one, and 4132093, 94, 95, 96, 97, on the other. If '05 on the other belts is the year, what the heck is '41? If '05 is May, what month is '32?

 

Hill Engineering/Ricambi carries better tensioners.

John DiGiacoma at East Coast Jaguar builds (re-builds) superior 348 water pumps...at a fraction (typically a mere $199) of the cost of OEM (often more than $800). These water pumps have twice the Ferrari warranty and they lower parasitic drag by using better bearings. He also uses better seals. Call him at (302) 475-7200 or 1-800-475-9257. An old example of his work is here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ORIGINAL-FERRARI-348-WATER-PUMP-2YR-WARRANTY-NO-RESERVE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42606QQitemZ4599528001QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

This company makes some interesting silicone and EPDM, Hypalon®, urethane, Mylar, Kapton®, Melinex®, neoprene, fiberglass, polyester, Kevlar® and steel reinforcement custom belts: http://www.beltcorp.com/products/custom_fabrication/default.asp

Interestingly enough, for less than $50 Porsche put a timing belt tension sensor on their giant rubber timing belt system for their old 928 (see picture).
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Good point.

Also, I'll spring for the $200 to buy John's 348 waterpump if you're willing to rig up some sort of side by side or back to back test against an OEM (say, for turning resistance, pressure before leakage, etc.).