911 Timing Belt...does this exist?

[83 sc euro cab]

just wondering if the 911 has a timing belt.

if so, should it be replaced at 100k miles??

my 911 has 106K miles and i dont believe the timing belt was replaced.(if it has one)

[emcon5]

No timing belts, timing chains. (The way the Good Lord intended)

You know the popular carerra tensioner update? The tensioner is for the timing chains.

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82 911SC Coupe

[roGERK]

In his excellent "Porsche 911 Story" Paul Frere describes how the factory considered using toothed drive belts for the 911.

But in the early 1960s, the use of belts for this task was highly unusual, so they chose the then conventional solution of chains instead.

Typically, they were concerned about the reliability of chain drive, especially as Jaguars were reported to be troublesome in this area.

So Porsche specified a duplex design (essentially two chains in one) manufactured by Reynalds - the finest quality in the world at that time.

It seems to have paid off. While 911s have suffered their share of problems with bad chain tensionors, chain streaching or snapping in unknown in normal use.

- roGER

[radcon]

Glad they decided to go with chains, one less thing to worry about/replace. I know one thing about timing belts - they are inherently bad. Everyone I know that has an import car that utilizes timing belts, has spent a lot of money to replace it. I have heard plenty of horror stories about timing belts snapping, but don't think I've every heard of any timing chains flying off. Thank goodness Porsche took the sensible route. I heard the timing belt replacement on Ferraris is part of their normal maintenance at every 15K or 30K and costs around $5K to $7K. Ouch.

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'80 Targa

[D911_MEE]

timing chains are not infalable, well non porsche ones anyway, ive had extremely painfull experience with broken chain on my mercedes 230 ce (eyes still water at thought of it!!!)

Thankfully no such worries with the 911. touch wood!!

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mike 87 coupe'

[BMB]

are you saying i don't have to change the chain. i'm having valve job done now so i thought i would change it since it's accessible. it looks fine(heard that before).