Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Timing belt now won't start

Replaced my timing belt and tensioner and idlers today and car won't start now. There are no marks on the crankshaft pulley. I took out the number 1 plug and used a screwdriver and thought I got it to TDC and used tool to align cams. Loosened the cam sprockets and got all slack out. Put it all back together and cranked it and it wouldn't start. Pretty heart breaking. How can I be sure it is at TDC. Will I have to take the belt all the way off or can I loosen the cam sprockets and get it to TDC if I can figure when that is, and then use the tool to align the cams?
It is a 1998 Zetec 2.0L

There are two sets of notches on the crankpulley. The second set that comes around when moving the pulley clockwise is TDC. They should match up with the flat slot on the oil pan at 4 oclock. Use a small straight edge to make it perfect.
Since you moved the cams you better start over. Use a flat piece of steel to align cams on the flat surface of the head by cyl #4. There is a tool for this and holding the cam sprockets in place when loosening them.
Search the posts-lots of good info and pics.

There are no notches on the crank pulley. I have all the tools, the bar to align the cams. I bought them just to do this job.

Read these threads and come back if you have any questions.

Timing Belt


98+ Timing

Where exactly is the hole where you can put a crankshaft TDC timing pin in to keep it at TDC. I know you screw a plug out and then screw the pin in.