Ford Thunderbird: Timing Belt Or Timing Chain? (1980 - 2005)

All Ford Thunderbird engines, apart from the 2.3L Turbo, have timing chains and are interference. The 2.3L has a timing belt and is interference.

Scroll down to see detailed timing belt data for your particular model year of the Ford Thunderbird.

Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Year	Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference
1980 - 2005	3.8L, 3.9L, 4.2L, 4.6L, 5.0L	Timing Chain	Interference
1983 - 1988	2.3L	Timing Belt	Interference

Check out the Belt Or Chain specifications for other makes and models.

2005 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2005 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

2005 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.9L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2004 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2004 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

2004 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.9L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2003 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2003 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

2003 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.9L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2002 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2002 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

2002 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.9L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1997 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1997 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
4.6L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1996 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1996 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1996 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
4.6L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1995 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1995 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1995 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
4.6L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1994 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1994 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1994 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
4.6L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1993 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1993 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1993 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1992 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1992 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1992 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1991 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1991 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1991 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1990 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1990 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1990 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1989 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1989 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1989 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.8L V6 Supercharged	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1988 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1988 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8L and 5.0L engines have timing chains while the 2.3L engine has a timing belt. All are interference.

1988 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbo	Timing Belt	Non-Interference	60k

1987 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8L and 5.0L engines have timing chains while the 2.3L engine has a timing belt. All are interference.

1987 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbo	Timing Belt	Non-Interference	60k

1986 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1986 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8L and 5.0L engines have timing chains while the 2.3L engine has a timing belt. All are interference.

1986 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbo	Timing Belt	Non-Interference	60k

1985 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1985 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8L and 5.0L engines have timing chains while the 2.3L engine has a timing belt. All are interference.

1985 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbo	Timing Belt	Non-Interference	60k

1984 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1984 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8L and 5.0L engines have timing chains while the 2.3L engine has a timing belt. All are interference.

1984 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbo	Timing Belt	Non-Interference	60k

1983 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1983 Ford Thunderbird with the 3.8L and 5.0L engines have timing chains while the 2.3L engine has a timing belt. All are interference.

1983 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.3L 4 Cyl. Turbo	Timing Belt	Non-Interference	60k

1982 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1982 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1982 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
4.2L V 8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.8L V6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.3L I6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1981 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1981 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1981 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
4.2L V 8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.3L I6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

1980 Ford Thunderbird - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1980 Ford Thunderbird engines have timing chains and are interference.

1980 Ford Thunderbird Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
5.0L V8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
4.2L V 8	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
3.3L I6	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

Timing Belt Basics

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).

A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.

A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.

Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.