Dreading the "To Do" on the SVT... need pointers...

[Missourileo]

The t-belt is an easy job for the mechanically inclined, not so easy for others. If you do take it to a shop(which I don't recommend), make sure it's one that has done this before, on an SVTF. Reason being, most shops screw this up. I have done 8 of these and know it takes about 3 hours, you should change the water pump as well as the serpentine belt and you DO NEED the timing tools. Forget about the white dot crap. The belt walks 6 teeth per revolution. I have the Ford workshop manual on this that gives you specific step by step pics and instructions, if you're interested. I can email it to you. Also, did you change your valve cover gasket before changing the T-stat housing? If not, that's the reason the O-ring goes bad in the housing. Oil leaks down the head and onto the housing, look for yourself.

[MustangCRZY302]

Yea I can see how it would leak down. My Valve Cover gasket is just fine though. Its not even seaping above the Tstat housing. I will be changing that gasket though when I do the timing belt.

[loc0gring0]

timing belts are a cake walk.. if you sit and read the ""book way"" it seems scary... you do not need timing tools or even have to take the valve cover off.. just make sure your mark everything correctly and you don't need tools or have to time anything.. ive done about 10 and knock them out in a few hours with a lunch break..

[cmajaa]

Do it with the alignment tools and exactly the way its explained by ford and you won't have any problems, I've done two cars so far and have never had any codes.

[LD5050]

I had a shop do my timing belt, and I provided them with the cam tool since it's cheap. After researching on here I also had the following preventative maintenance:

timing cover seal
valve cover gasket
VCT solenoid
water pump & gasket

I didn't want to deal with any of these known-issue parts giving me grief down the road, one fell swoop kinda thing.
I should have also done the cam and crank seals.