I'm about to get a timing belt kit but I don't know which to get. How do I tell what I need?

 

What year is your engine? The belt is the same for either one...

 

Early 90's had a spring, and later 93-95's have the hydraulic tensioner. Be sure, pull your timing cover off and look!

 

Mine's a 1990 so I guess it's a safe bet that it's a spring tensioner then.

 

here's what mine looks like. if you can see it, it is a spring tensioner.

 

If you are not the original owner, don't assume anything. Do you know for sure that the motor in your truck is original? Not every seller is honest and tells you about all the things they changed.

 

The people before us treated it pretty awfully so I doubt they changed anything besides the belt. (I was even surprised they did that). I think I'll just pop off the cover and look to be sure. Is there any benefit to having a hydraulic tensioner and if there is could I put one on somehow?