Juancho,
I just did my timing belt this past weekend. My engine is the SOHC 3.0. I replaced the timing belt, water pump, and front crank seal. It definitely took a while to do, I think close to 10 hours of labor. For a while I'll be checking the conditon of my radiator fluid and front crank seal to make sure there is no leakage. So far so good. One thing I find an advantage doing the timing belts is having a 5 spd manual. For one, when you need to align the marks you simply put the truck in 5th gear and push it till the marks line up. And then when you need to remove the big crank nut, you put the truck in 5th again so that when you crank on the nut the engine won't budge and thus the nut comes off. I'm kinda at a loss for what to do in those situations with an auto trans though. I'd say definitely do it yourself if you feel confident in your skills. Just be fully concentrated and patient when you are putting the new parts in. It'd really suck if you had to go back in to do something over again.
Parts are pretty cheap too so I figure you'd save a bundle. Plus if you have the time on the weekend its actually quite fun. I just marvel at the precision of these engines as I'm doing the whole thing.
(EDIT) just my opinion, but when my trucks hit the first timing belt service period (70,000 odd miles) I didn't feel the need to change the water pump or front crank seal. I managed to have no problems with three trucks on the first belt change just replacing the belt itself. But definitely on the second or third belt change I would definitely do it (though I didn't on one of my trucks, just replaced the factory water pump at 170,000 miles past weekend 3rd timing belt job). Of course water pumps aren't too expensive so... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> might as well but maybe not the front crank seal unless you've done oil seals before. They can be tricky since they are 1 delicate and 2 must be aligned in perfectly straight (at least I believe). Ok I'll shut up now. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
Adam
<small>[ April 23, 2003, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: Adamont ]</small>
