It the SVT motor an "interference" engine? In other words, if the timing belt breaks will the pistons contact the valves?

I just bought mine. It has 38K miles. What should I be checking for wear wise? I pulled the coil cover yesterday and it's filthy under there. The engine was really clean externally. It has an aftermarket battery and there is some corrosion under the battery box. I ran a Carfax on it and it came back clean. A one owner , California car. I installed my first mod yesterday, a week after purchase, a Steeda CAI.

i believe the SVT is... and the regular zetec isn't...

a mechanic told me that if the timing belt broke , you would just be stranded on the side of the road, but nothing would happen to the engine.

if the timing belt bropke on an svt you would be screwed because it is an interferance engine and the pistons will hit the exhaust valves i believe. but i know that if it brakes most likely you will screw up the engine!

if the timing belt bropke on an svt you would be screwed because it is an interferance engine and the pistons will hit the exhaust valves i believe. but i know that if it brakes most likely you will screw up the engine!

Yes it is an interference motor and everything will be pooched if the belt breaks. I talked to Ford and it's rated at 180k km (100k Miles) and most people replace at 80miles because of some people finding that it will break early. Check for cracks, etc. in the belt on a regular basis will show you the wear & tear... replace if there are a lot of cracks in the rubber.

Thanks guys. I'll keep a close eye on it.

oh gee great another svt perk!

^^dude it happens on a LOT of cars. the svt is no exception. every car has its perks...trust me

lol giggity giggty ol' lay

Its is an interference engine but it doesnt mean that if the timing belt breaks that your engine is done. Depending on what stroke its in then you might be good.

whaaaa? that makes no sense, there is always one cylinder in each stroke... If #1 is on compression then #4 is on exhaust and #3 is on intake while #2 is on power. One or more of these will result in a bent valve or a holey piston

and even if the trans is in neutral and the engine at 900 rpm there is enough momentum to carry the crank through at least 3 more strokes (1.5 revolutions)

whaaaa? that makes no sense, there is always one cylinder in each stroke... If #1 is on compression then #4 is on exhaust and #3 is on intake while #2 is on power. One or more of these will result in a bent valve or a holey piston

and even if the trans is in neutral and the engine at 900 rpm there is enough momentum to carry the crank through at least 3 more strokes (1.5 revolutions)

good call.

dejavu? seriously this question came up a month or so ago; there have been accounts of SVT timing belts breaking and the valves surviving, but more often than not, you will bend valves should your timing belt snap... that said, most svt-ers change thier belts at 60-80k, i have 94k on mine and havent done it yet, but my driving is mostly at 2750rpms and below, so most of my components are in great shape due to that fact that i dont push the car often, and run it every day. I plan on changing it at 100k+/-
I'm also on my stock clutch/Pressure plate/Flywheel - that guy is getting done at 125k+/- depending on the financial situation. pay attention to your level of chatter, the worse it gets the worse shape your pressure plate is in (thats the component that is the trouble maker in the clutch system) if your clutch starts to slip, replace it; once they start to slip they begin to wear way the hell quicker. good luck with the car, i love mine, most others love thiers, even though they have thier quirks (but serioulsy every car has its quirks)