How do you Change timing belt 1998 Ford Ranger?

Answer 1

not enough info,need motor size

That all the info one needs. In 1998 the only engine on Ford rangers having a timing belt was the 2.5L Lima engine. The 3 and 4L has timing chains. The 2.3 came later.

Rotate the crank shaft to top dead center using a breaker bar and 7/8" socket. The truck should be in neutral with the park brake set. Rotate the engine clockwise. There is a mark on the outer timing belt cover marked "TDC". Align the long mark on the crank shat balancer with the TDC notch. You DON'T need to remove spark plugs or drain the coolant or disconnect the radiator hose.

Remove the serpentine belt. Use a 3/8" drive socket on the tensioner and rotate it towards the passenger side and remove the belt from the alternator. You now will have enough slack to take it off. Remove water pump pulley held on by 4 bolts. The fan will also come out. Remove the radiator shroud by removing the 2 bolts at the top corners. Unbolt the ac compressor bolts and set it aside as best you can (no need to disconnect hoses). Next, you'll unbolt the bracket the ac compressor was attached to. It is held on by 4 bolts. One of these in underneath the compressor (before it was removed). One is rearward on it. The other two are between the Power Steering pump and compressor and are close together. Just let the bracket hang out of the way.

Next you will have to remove the crankshaft pulley/balancer. This bolt is TIGHT. Some people suggested using an impact, but you'll have to remove the radiator to have room for that. I did it a different way. First just try to break it loose with your breaker bar. Set the brake and put it in 5th gear. It is a right hand thread so just loosen it as you would any bolt. If you can't break it loose, disconnect the wires on the coil pack, position the breaker bar with socket on the bolt so that the handle rests or almost rests on the driver side frame. Hit the starter very briefly and it will break loose. Verify that it is loose and again realign the timing tdc marks. Remove the crankshaft pulley. You may need a puller for this available for loan at advance auto parts. Once this is off a stamped dot on one of the gear teeth is visible and will line up with a notch on the engine.

Remove the outer timing belt cover. It is held in place by 1 10mm bolt and several interlocking tabs around its periphery. Look at the camshaft belt guide at the 5 Oclock position. You should see a timing mark (triangle pointing to another triangle on the inner cover. If not, rotate the engine one more rotation and it WILL.

Loosen the pivot bolt on the tensioner and the other bolt allowing a arced movement in a slot. You DON"T need the special tool to release the belt tension. A crow bar will work fine. Position it so that one end is on the pulley and the other is on the pivot bolt. The old timing belt will protect the pulley. Release tension and simultaneously tighten the tension bolt (not pivot bolt) Take the old belt off and put the new one on starting at the crankshaft and going counterclockwise. Try to get all the slack out before releasing the tensioner or else you'll have the cam rotate a tooth off once it's released. Release the tensioner. Make sure all the marks are in alignment. Crank it up before you put all that stuff back on only to learn it is out of time.

I just did this yesterday and replaced the serpentine belt while I was at it.