I am new here and cannot quite find the answer to my question...

I was driving down the interstate today in my buddy's 87 Mazda B2200, when the engine, in a split second, shut off. I though it may have run out of fuel, but when I took off the air filter, eliminated that possibility. When I opened the timing belt cover, I found a nice, shiny, broken timing belt. $25, right? Maybe...here is my question...

Does the engine in this truck have the clearance in the valves so that when the timing belt breaks it does not bend the valves?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Yes, the B2200 engine has clearance. I have a 1988 B2200, just re-did my timing belt last May, and then rings and cylinder head last October (smoking issue).

It's a non-interference engine, that's the correct term, meaning the valves will NOT hit the piston heads. Note though: you will find some lists that state that the B2200 is an interference engine, but they are incorrect.

Added: buy a decent-quality timing belt, such as Gates. While in there, make sure the water pump spins freely, and the tensioners. Do those if questionable.

See http://www.mazdatrucking.com/B2200//...ming_Belt.html

http://www.mazdatrucking.com/B2200//B22Timecheck.html

 

I really appreciate the input. I was looking across the B2200 areas and saw your posts everywhere. I nearly skipped to just sending you a PM, but I figured I would give the rest of the community a fighting chance. I am (as we speak) in the process of replacing the timing belt. Wish me luck as I have never done this and am completely unfamiliar with this engine.

 

Thanks. But guess what: I had never done a timing belt of any kind before last May, and had only been inside old air-cooled VW engines before I got into mine last October.

I almost decided to do the engine rebuild in May when I did the water pump and timing belt, but realized I'd have to "jump" on that before it got too hot here, and I didn't have the parts for it then. But every time I now look in the driver mirror backwards -espeically at night where my smoke used to be visible in trailing cars' headlights - I just smile !!!