Yep, it is an an interference engine all right. I'm getting liability ins quotes for it now and i'll be likely paying much more than I was on the dodge. When my mech buddy can find time, he'll come put a fuel pump on my '94 dakota so I can drive it and keep the ins. cost the same.
It would be an ordeal, legally, to go through the process of obtaining a salvage title in order to keep driving this wrecked '91.
Life can be unfair it seems.
first things first - I may not even get the accident repot till monday.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

If the belt broke on the honda, the head is toast. Changing the belt won't help at this point. The valves are likely bent.

 

I think most of these automakers got rid of timing belts awhile back though I believe there may still be a few cars still using them on non interference engines. I gathered from his comment that his Honda belt hasn’t snapped yet. Can’t be the original belt with 330,000 miles on it unless the man upstairs blessed that car.

 

Good Point.

 

Oh no; it hasn't broke, YET. thank goodness. No one knows when or even IF it's Ever been replaced so i know i'm on borrowed time. There's a shop here that will do that job for around 700.00 but unless I can find a reasonable rate on liability ins. I won't be fixing or driving it. i've only been paying 140.00 /six months on the dakota and the honda is Twice that! I couldn't believe it. I just got antique tags ordered for it.. if I can't come out good on liability then I'll sell the honda as is and put the money on my 94 dakota, waiting on my buddy to find time to come replace the fuel pump so it will drive again.

 

I'd have a hard time believing those timing belts would last 330,000 miles. That's a 80 - 100,000 mile maintenance item. Not to pile more on you at a time you don't need it, but many/most of those Honda water pumps are very easy to get to while tearing the engine compartment apart getting to the timing belt. It's rather common for people to replace the water pump at the same time they're replacing the timing belt "while they are there" so as to save big on labor charges. Labor makes up most of the repair bill. Just a consideration for you.

BTW, $700 is an excellent price for replacing a timing belt. $1,200 - $1,500 is common.

Maybe shop the parts yourself.

 

I know right; i find that hard to believe as well. My mom is old and someone could have done that repair and she just doesn't remember - still, not knowing how many miles are on this belt warrants getting it replaced - and yes, the water pump comes with the belt job!. I may go ahead and get robbed with that ridiculously high ins. premium, pay it for one year and see how the car runs we'll see.
Thanks for the thoughts!

 

Good luck! There aren't many automobiles I would have anything good to say with 330,000 miles but those Hondas and Toyotas can last seemingly forever provided they were decently maintained. 400 - 500,000 miles is not uncommon if folks changed the oil and other fluids on a regular basis.

 

I do know what you mean Thanks for the concern and I'll let y'all know 'the rest of the story'!

 

Life can suck at times. To live is to strive. In Indiana if the insurance company pays you and you keep the truck, nothing happens to the title. However, every state does things differently.

If the truck is beyond repair, I'd keep it and part it out. The drivetrain ought to still be good. The right front tire and wheel may or may not be damaged but you have a full set of tires and wheels.Is your bed rusty? A lot of folks up north would like to have it. It's just one corners of your truck damaged. Maybe it's not worth fixing, but it's worth parting out. Once you get all the stuff off it, call the scrap yard to come get it and give them the title.

As for the Honda, I've seen them go 400K.