What brand of timing belt is the best?

[07_aveo]

i guess my idea was trying to find a solution to the 60K replacement period. i was hoping to find a solution of a bulletproof belt that had the strength of an actual timing chain.

You won't find one, belts will never have the integrity of a chain.

[petrified.rabbit]

8 valve belts tend to last a little longer than 16 valve belts. but the maintenance is the same. i have seen aba vw engines got 120k on the original belt(that same car also never had an oil change since new). i would never recommend it, the first time it is usually $600. the second replacement (if you still have the car) is typically cheaper because its not done at the dealer. but even a $600 maintenance every 60k is only like $.01 a mile driven. thats about the same rate as a $30 oil change every 3000 miles..

[NYChevoo]

i guess my idea was trying to find a solution to the 60K replacement period. i was hoping to find a solution of a bulletproof belt that had the strength of an actual timing chain.

You won't find one, belts will never have the integrity of a chain.

i know that there is a huge difference between the two different materials. i guess i was hoping to find a "lifetime" belt.

[loose]

when i worked at autozone our best belt was the gatorback goodyear belt. It was specially ribbed to have less road noise and definitely appeared better quality than the others we sold. Also I was told but never confirmed they come with a lifetime warranty from goodyear. all i know is whenever our local auto shops were working on their personal cars these were the ones they bought.

[Monzaveo]

you talkin serpentine belt or timing belt?

[atcovan]

you talkin serpentine belt or timing belt?

I'd assume the timing belt, as the idler pulley is not cogged and runs on the backside of the belt.

[Monzaveo]

What?

'Loose' says something about a specially ribbed belt quiet , and you say something about the idler pulley riding on the back of the belt? If the ribs ride over the idler, wouldnt that be noisy?
Surely the toothed side isnt ribbed? is it?

You guys are either both talkin 2 different things, or someone needs to add some details here.

Please everybody stop making so much sense and being so informative...

[petrified.rabbit]

gatorbacks are serp belt that have a "riding" face on the front and back, where most serp belt actually only have one face... it is sort of ribs and slits, on the back of the belt, like the skin of an alligator. it supposedly make it last longer since it doesnt were the structure of the belt on the backside.. i used gatorback conventional V belts and the squealed a lot when they were wet.

i have never heard of a gatorback timing belt.

[aveodude]

every belt will squeal when wet

[loose]

typically belts have vertical striping for grip, gatorbacks are criscrossed.
http://www.goodyearep.com/gatorbackclub/gb_belts_kits