Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing T16 cam belt swap

Heinz the sigma has a belt and my dealer told me needs doing every 8 years. I think the miles interval is 90,000 miles ( not KM) but would need to check that to be sure. Personally I'm thinking I'll get it done every 6 years just to be safe.

Andymot, thanks, in the meantime I have found similar info at a Ford page, they say 8 years or 160.000 km (100.000 miles) concerning the 1.6 VCT TI. So in 2021 I should change it, better a bit earlier than too late.

BTW our 4/4 engine is a nice piece but it is often a victim of DIY timing belt changer. The fora are full of sad stories.
It might be definitely a job of an experienced mechanic, which should be possible in every Ford garage of good reputation. Or at least it should not be the first belt change of someone and you need all the special tools because it is not so easy to make because you cannot fix the cam and its control gears easily without the tools.

I suggest you don't do it this way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQhfcdQf1QA

That‘s funny and impressive, like the the surgeons have to work when they swap hearts, they can't shut off the engine.

Thank you!

Literally meaning ‘long may your chimney smoke’, this is the best way to wish someone a long and healthy life.

Exactly as I see it. Brands hatch Morgans top mechanic told me it was a tricky job - but one thankfully they are happy to do so that's where I'll be heading in a few years. But any decent Ford garage should be Ok anyway - if they understand how the bonnet works!

H&S obviously plays no part of his life. If it does I would love to see the risk assessment.

I changed the timing belt on my T16 at 5 years.
On the internet you can find out how tyres are age coded by year of production. If they > 5 years old I would replace them all.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

I have an M16 1989 +4 and had my cam belt changed by BHM last year at 40k miles. Although there is a fairly comprehensive file with the car there was no mention of the cam belt being changed. As I recall Len had a tricky job doing it, lining things up, as apparently some part on the car had been replaced with a later version than he expected, which a non-Morgan garage may not have realised. The belt was worn but nothing serious. Cost was around the £250 mark - a bargain having an experienced main dealer do it and giving me peace of mind it was done correctly.

IIRC, the CVH engined Morgans have been known to have their cam belts changed with the engine turning for part of the job. Use a Stanley craft knife to slit the belt along its axis. Fit the new belt beside the remains of the old one. Then remove the old belt completely and slide the new belt into position. This is not a recommendation on my part - just something I heard about - possibly on TM!