As described in a similar thread in recent weeks, some resourceful owners found an alternative to the Ford GT (Motorcraft) oil pump belt. The alternate belt is a Continental ContiTech "SilentSync" Y-720. The attraction is that this Continental belt is quite a bit different in price - approximately 1/4 the price of the Motorcraft belt ($40 versus $160).
As we have probably changed more than 30 oil pump belts in just the past few months (we have been recommending that to owners whose cars that we service just as a precaution since the OEM belts are now some 13-14 years old.) I ordered and received the Continental belt and I have both it and the Motorcraft belt in front of me as I type this. My hope was that it would be physically obvious that the two belts were the same (i.e., Continental was manufacturing the belt for Motorcraft), but it seems maybe obvious that they are physically different.
Critical dimensions - belt width, belt track pattern, and width all appear to be identical so I am pretty sure the belts both adhere to a specific fitment spec. However, the Continental belt is stiffer and seemingly more robust. On an edge view, the Continental belt has a fractionally thicker woven thread reinforcement band and the belt itself - perhaps mostly due to this, is a lot stiffer. In contrast the Motorcraft belt is more flexible/twist-able.
In summary, the Continental belt seems more industrial and heavy duty. Conceptually it appears stronger and more robust. The belts ARE different. Now, you might think that, as a result, I'd give the Continental our endorsement (that +$3 might buy you a cup of coffee), but I WON'T endorse it. I was hoping that the belts would be physically indistinguishable - essentially the same belt and then we might be able to use them. While the Continental seems heavier duty and more robust, the fact that it is different causes me some pause. I know from personal experience that the Motorcraft belts will go pretty much any number of miles for 14+ years without a single failure. Good enough for me.
Any of you may have a different opinion but unless you ask us specifically for the Continental (~$10/year savings over the lifespan of the belt - Woo-hoo!), we'll continue on with the Motorcrafts.
As we have probably changed more than 30 oil pump belts in just the past few months (we have been recommending that to owners whose cars that we service just as a precaution since the OEM belts are now some 13-14 years old.) I ordered and received the Continental belt and I have both it and the Motorcraft belt in front of me as I type this. My hope was that it would be physically obvious that the two belts were the same (i.e., Continental was manufacturing the belt for Motorcraft), but it seems maybe obvious that they are physically different.
Critical dimensions - belt width, belt track pattern, and width all appear to be identical so I am pretty sure the belts both adhere to a specific fitment spec. However, the Continental belt is stiffer and seemingly more robust. On an edge view, the Continental belt has a fractionally thicker woven thread reinforcement band and the belt itself - perhaps mostly due to this, is a lot stiffer. In contrast the Motorcraft belt is more flexible/twist-able.
In summary, the Continental belt seems more industrial and heavy duty. Conceptually it appears stronger and more robust. The belts ARE different. Now, you might think that, as a result, I'd give the Continental our endorsement (that +$3 might buy you a cup of coffee), but I WON'T endorse it. I was hoping that the belts would be physically indistinguishable - essentially the same belt and then we might be able to use them. While the Continental seems heavier duty and more robust, the fact that it is different causes me some pause. I know from personal experience that the Motorcraft belts will go pretty much any number of miles for 14+ years without a single failure. Good enough for me.
Any of you may have a different opinion but unless you ask us specifically for the Continental (~$10/year savings over the lifespan of the belt - Woo-hoo!), we'll continue on with the Motorcrafts.
