Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance Engine Rebuild Time

I have an extra engine, and mine just hit the 150k mile mark and is starting to give me problems, so I figured I would rebuild the extra.

Have any of my fellow CEG'ers undertaken this yet and if so, does anyone have any good advice or links for sites with aftermarket performance goodies to put back into the motor to attain more power?

This is the first time I will be rebuilding a 4 cyl engine, been rebuilding V-8's since I was 15, just having a hard time finding info on this engine as far as performance engine internals.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks.

'97 Contour 2.0 Zetec

It should take half the time to rebuild the 4cylinder compared to the v8's you've done.

Yeah seriously, does anyone know where to get some good zetec-compatible racing cams or something? I'm not rebuilding my engine, but I think it would be interesing and I'm sure 'Touring would appreciate it.

Also, I bet it's easier to put these sorts of mods in WHILE you're rebuilding the engine, not afterwards, right?

Look up Burton Power or Dunnel Racing. Both are in England, but they do/did a lot of Zetec tuning stuff. Also Esslinger here in the states.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes Savior, it is always easier to put internals in an engine while its already apart and being worked on.

ChatavegasSE, thanks, I will check them out. The first thing getting done is the Head and Block are gonna take a nice hot bath, then have some port and polishing done.

Thanks again.

Would you do us a favor and keep us updated. My 98 has about 170,000 on it. I am thinking of purchasing a used engine and rebuilding it as well. My intention is a mildly modified engine that will last another 50 or 60k. I am not looking for boost or even a racer but an extremely effecient engine.

Just search for focus stuff on yahoo. Plenty of sites will come up. seanhylandmotorsports, zxtuner, and ford racing are all companies with zetec stuff off the top of my head. There are plenty of cam manufacturers, as well as a few piston choices,etc.

My pile of info.

Some links...

NewEdge Performance - FRPP Head, ARP Head Studs, ARP Main Studs, Crower Camshafts, Eagle Con Rods, Focus Central Throttle Body, Multiple Cam Gears, Under Drive Pulleys

Steeda Focus Online - FRPP Head, FRPP Intake Manifold, Cams, UDPs, Cam Gears

McNews Automotive - FRPP Cams, Cat Cams, Crower Cams, Comp Cams, FRPP Head, FRPP Intake, pretty much everything at very good prices

CTA Motorsports - Cat Cams, Pulleys, Ignition Coils, FRPP Ignition Wires, Chips

Ford Parts Online - OEM parts at pretty much the best prices

Sig LM aka Bill Jenkins - OEM parts at good prices

BAT - Mostly non-engine related parts

Also, beware that the Contour Zetec uses hydraulic lifters and the Focus Zetec uses solid lifters. You will have to match the type of lifter to the cam.

I've been doing a little research over the past couple of years.

HTH,
Ben

www.focus-power.com Turbo Tom's site.

He does mainly Focus's but he can do our engines as well. His built blocks have done 400+whp FI and 200whp NA in full race trim. Only problem is you get what you pay for and he has a 3 month backlog. If I had the cash I'd get one of his built short blocks. He's the only Zetec builder in the U.S. I'd trust to work on these engines.

I have 147k on my 96. It was driven by a woman before me from 80k till 146k. It runs fines minus some minor lifter noise. Oil is perfectly clean, no knocks, no smoke, good power, sounds awesome, also engine is really clean. It runs great and I know it is a 96 block so that does reduce the possibility of it already being swapped out. I do know that the head has been off before. It also appears possible that the engine may have been removed and put back in, due to marks on certain bolts. Plus the cams are perfectly clean and so is the valve cover on the inside aka no build up. So what do you think? Has it been well taken care of or partial rebuild, or replacement?