When and Where to Change Timing Belt + Cost

The manual should identify items that require/recommend replacement; either via Maintenance Schedule (like the timing belt) or in the course of service. For example...
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Your list is good. I also had the thermostat and housing changed while everything was apart. I had my dealership do it so I'm covered under warranty for their work. No complaints so far. The mechanic has over 28yrs of engine building under his belt!

Is the thermostat accessible while doing a timing belt?
Because I understand that it's very difficult and time consuming to get to, so when I have my timing belt done next summer I may consider having my thermostat changed also, thanks.

Replacing parts that weren't actually worn or bad, always backfired. It took several examples before that sunk in. For anything as important (or just hard to get to) as what you're doing, at least use the overpriced dealer parts. No remanufactured or aftermarket parts.

It took a good amount of effort to get to this point so I can definitely see why it should be replaced at the same time as the timing belt (and water pump).

That jack stand on the crash bar? I don't think that's designed to support any weight. I use two points of the cross-member behind the engine.

Just providing a slightly different perspective, born of experiences with a prior vehicle. First, aftermarket parts were absolute junk. Replacing parts that weren't actually worn or bad, always backfired. It took several examples before that sunk in. For anything as important (or just hard to get to) as what you're doing, at least use the overpriced dealer parts. No remanufactured or aftermarket parts.

Yes! You're already saving thousands of dollars on labor doing the work yourself, don't try to save $75 on timing belt tensioner or water pump. That said, I didn't hesitate to install a Gates accessory belt kit a couple months back. They make excellent belts and that stuff is on the outside of the motor. If their tensioner or idler pulley doesn't last 8 years like the factory parts, I can pivot back to OE Ford in an afternoon.



That lower radiator hose (C1BZ-8286-A) you can see the top of in your photo is also a bear to get to. Since you're draining the coolant to do the water pump and the thermostat, consider replacing that. Or at the very least clean it off and inspect it for signs of wear like little cracks forming.

I didn't hesitate to install a Gates accessory belt kit a couple months back. They make excellent belts and that stuff is on the outside of the motor.

Has anyone hear run into this before? Is there a cheaper tool or a different method for removing it?

These are my figures:- Timing belt - $57.90, Belt tensioner - $86.33, Water pump and gasket - $88.00, Serpentine belt -$27.50. These are the prices I paid shopping around. During the replacement I also had the overflow coolant bottle (leaking) replaced along with the hose which was brittle at $72.30 plus the radiator cap $27.27. Thermostat assembly $117.95. Now the expensive part, labour came to $2,200 and I used my Ford Pass points which brought the total charged to $2,376.50. Now the car will outlive me! So now I have enough points to get quite a few oil and filter changes!

I bit the bullet and had my timing belt, water pump and other related parts, and the other drive belt done. I decided to do it based on time, 8 years, not mileage because I'm doing low mileage and would basically never get there. As I said above, this is an interference engine and if you break a timing belt it's basically destroyed, so I did it now to be on the safe side .
I have an independent shop that I trust and have done business with for a long time and I'm friendly with the particular mechanic who did the job. Even though they're an independent shop, they have the Ford tools to hold things in place.
The labor came to about $1,150, much less than one member reported above, and the parts were about $600, which was much more. I could have sourced my own parts and saved money. This shop lets you do that and I brought my own coolant and some unrelated parts for other service, but I wanted them to get the timing belt parts so they would be responsible for them, even though that meant paying a considerable markup, and they got OEM parts from Ford for me.
The shop gives a 3-year/36,000 mi warranty on parts, which is good. Let's say I supply the water pump and it goes bad in 6 months. The place I got it from would be responsible for the part, but I'd be responsible for all that labor cost again to get to it and reinstall it.

..... I wanted them to get the timing belt parts so they would be responsible for them, ............... The shop gives a 3-year/36,000 mi warranty on parts, which is good.

How long did they warranty it for? Just asking. I have a comeback if I ever need one, the dealer did the work on mine!