DIANNE BARKER wrote:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> newsLWdnbwowIR6cxbfRVn-2A@speakeasy.net...
>
>>disallow wrote:
>>
>>>Well that sucks. Though I'm not an engineer,
>>>hopefully Honda had their reasons for doing
>>>this, and it wasn't just a cave to pressure from
>>>everyone who is scared of timing belts.
>>>
>>>t
>>>
>>
>>i'll bet you that's exactly what /did/ happen. look at all the whining
>>about belts in recent threads. it's one of those situations where chains
>>have been out of the picture so long, all the new kids have no experience
>>with all their problems and think they're some kind of "great new idea".
>>
>
> I wonder why the best engines in the world use chains.
> or gears not belts.

what engines are those dianne? are you referring to 2500 rpm diesels?
are you talking head mounted or block mounted cams? how long is the
chain run? single row?

> I wonder why all of those trucks that do 500,000 miles before a major
> overhaul use chains.

so you /are/ talking about trucks? you're not talking 100bhp/liter 9000
rpm honda engines?

> There must be something to they not trusting belts.

that's the same argument that's kept detroit stuck on solid axles for
about 100 years past their end of life. we don't use horses for
traction any more, so there's no need to use horse-drawn technology on a
car.

> Belts are cheaper , quieter and the dealers are guaranteed some schedule
> maintenance money.
> They must be replaced at a range of 60 to 100 K miles based on
manufacturers
> recommendation usually owners take them into the dealer for that type of
> service.

to a manufacturer, the cost between a chain & a belt is practically
identical. when you factor in fewer oil seals & simpler gasket
procedures, the chain's probably cheaper.

> I had a new car in 1974 and 50 miles from the dealership the belt
slipped
> and stranded me on the highway.

what manufacturer? be specific. by that logic, no one would every fly
in case a plane crashed.

>
> I hope Honda starts to put them on the V6's soon.
>
>

as stated in other threads, belts offer the substantial advantage of
much better cam timing. in a higher preformance/low emissions engine,
this matters. unless chain wear can be compensated for with variable
valve timing, belts are the way to go.