1996 LS400 “build”

[454cid]

Don't skip it. It's a 26 year old belt on an interference engine....

Yup, same with my Volvo. Mileage wasn't too bad over the limit, but time was WAY over, assuming it was an original 1996 belt.

 

[HeavyAsAChevy]

Don't skip it. It's a 26 year old belt on an interference engine. I actually found the cheapest place by me was the Lexus dealership, but these days I don't know.

Did you replace your own? I watched some videos and it doesn’t seem to terribly bad, but you have to have a special tool to hold the camshafts in place.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

Did you replace your own? I watched some videos and it doesn’t seem to terribly bad, but you have to have a special tool to hold the camshafts in place.

I didn't. I was too busy at the time and the Lexus dealership gave me a free loaner. It's a completely different world from owning a Chevy, even a Corvette, LOL.

I've read posts where they just marked the belt and the pulleys and then transferred the marks to the new belts and put the new belt in the exact some spot lined up with the marks.

 

[454cid]

Get on a forum and take a look at past threads and ask for advice. There are cam lock tools for my volvo but lots of people including me do it without.

 

[HeavyAsAChevy]

Thanks a lot guys. I already miss my GMC truck. It was so much simpler. Lol

 

[HeavyAsAChevy]

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So I ordered this on Thursday of this week and it is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday this coming week. It was $247 after tax and shipping.

 

[WhiteUCF]

Good buy on that car! I parked my LS400 when I bought my OBS. Haven't driven it but once in 2 years..

The timing belt is a fairly simple job on uz's. Just set it to tdc and get started. Make sure you spend the money on a timing kit from Toyota/Lexus. It'll be much cheaper than the ebay "Aisin" kit after you get it all back together and realize it won't run right because the new "oem" belt is missing a tooth. Also, make sure everything stays at TDC when you install the new tensioner. Some people have bad luck and it pulls the cam gears a tooth off. I've never had that problem but I see it all too often.

I wish your air bag would fit in a '98 steering wheel or I'd send you my spare..

 

[Erik the Awful]

Also, make sure everything stays at TDC when you install the new tensioner. Some people have bad luck and it pulls the cam gears a tooth off.

I used binder clips like these when I put the timing belt on my wife's Chrylser 300. www.amazon.com/Extra-Binder-Clamps-Office-Supplies/dp/B07GGSDFVY/

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

On my Dodge Intrepid, when I did the timing belt, tensioner and water pump job on it, I used some small spring clips to hold the belt in place. Any small clips will work, as long as they fit over the edge of the pulley or sprocket. I also use these on the serpentine belt on my Burb; on the crankshaft pulley to hold it in place while I get the belt around the other pulleys in the correct order. That way I can do the job by myself, instead of needing a helper for holding the belt on.

 

[HeavyAsAChevy]

Good day to all! I received my catalytic converter on Tuesday morning and it was in good shape. Just this morning I went to put it on before I went to class at 11:00. I was fully expecting bolts to shear off, nuts to round off, etc. I was right. 2 out of 5 nuts rounded off. I was tryna be careful with it, but………..
So now I guess I gotta cut the cat off, get some new nuts, either cut the studs and get new studs or figure out some impossible way to get the nuts off. I did soak it with WD-40 for two days.