Forum:
Hi all. I've just purchased a 98 2.8TD Rocky with just 46k genuine miles on the clock with only slight surface corrosion on the chassis and generally good condition.
I'm going to do a cambelt change ASAP as at almost 18 years old and with the original belt still in place I don't want to push my luck given the belts age. So my first question is where can I get a cambelt kit at the best price and how good are the kits that are available.
I'm also considering adding a pair of rear light clusters where there are currently two panels fixed to the rear quarter panels (mine currently has the rear lights in the bumper). Is this an easy mod and does the wiring loom have redundant connections behind these panels to allow me to connect the rear light clusters to?
Finally and because I don't believe published performance figures, what MPG can I expect to get. I live in a rural area so no town work and I don't have a heavy foot.
Thanks and if there are any helpful tips you think I may benefit from then please feel free.
Found it
Hey rogcal,
I found your post!
From my experience, changing cambelt is easiest with OEM kit (OEM belt has alignment marks that make it a breeze to replace, while the aftermarket I had bought before did not and made it hell to replace - it would skip a tooth everytime I tightened the tensioner and I had to re- and re- and re- countless times before I gave up and bought OEM and was done at first try). If not OEM, find a belt that has alignment marks (at least one or two marks, if not all three - cam, fuel pump and crank alignment marks like OEM).
www.milneroffroad.com is the source recommended by most on the forum through the years I'v been a member, for 4TRak and Sportrak. They have lots of parts, good prices, good service.
Otherwise, you could try sourcing aftermakets on Ebay or the such:
CONTITECH CT 810 Timing Belt
GATES 5315XS Timing Belt
DAIHATSU 13568-87306 Timing Belt
and many more.
I can´t help you with the rear light concern, I have no idea.
About the MPG, there's been lots of debate on the forum before. Make a search for the topic and you'll find countless input. From what I remember and from what I get in mine (´98 F73 DL52 2.8 TD) it should be between 26 and 30 MPG mixed (city/highway). From my experience, heavy city traffic and hills where I live really drops that figure to 22. But on the highway (I get to drive her 350 km highway from time to time), it's much better, sometimes 32.
There. Hope it helps.
Cheers