Just became owner of sad looking '89 Dakota with 2.5-liter 4-banger, super low 53,400 original miles. Truck needs lots of TLC in general, but one question I have is about the timing belt -- original never changed (I think).

In an engine almost 25-years old, even though less than 60k miles, is there any chance at all that the timing belt is OK and not rotten?

Second question: Is this engine an 'interference' design, i.e., if the belt breaks do I get valves crashing into pistons and destroyed engine? Anybody know the answer, please and thank you!

 

best thing to do is inspect the timing belt for small cracks and missing ribs. and pre-96 2.5l are non interference

 

I would just change the Timing Belt and seals in that thing. As I recall, they're not that hard to do based on the 2.5 I had in a Dakota once.