Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A couple of timing belt TDC questions

I'm in the process of replacing the timing belt & tensioner on a 96 2.0 4-cyl Contour. I'm being assisted by a not so trusty Haynes manual...it doesn't do a good job outlining the procedure for finding TDC on the 2.0 4-cyl engine. Can anyone give me some info on finding TDC for 1 & 4 on this engine? One more question,the manual says I need a 0.20" thick piece of metal to place in the cam slots while changing the timing belt (to keep the cams aligned). All I can find is a 3/16" thick piece (0.1875" as a decimal). Is this slightly smaller piece going to cause problems? Thanks for your help!

I am not possitive but the number one cylinder would be at the top of its stroke when the engine is at TDC. I am not really sure what the best way is to find this.

the part about locking the cam down you don't have to worry about if you are careful. When you find TDC mark where that is on the bottom of the engine and mark it on each cam. Be very percice about labling these three points. When you take the belt off the cams should only turn a tooth or two in one direction. When you go to put the new belt on just make sure the three marks are lined up and you will be all set. My father and I did this and took our time and there were no problems.

I suggest changing all three pullies that come in contact with the timing belt. The tensioner on my car was about to split in half. Also with the plastic being worn the timing belt was not centered on the cam gears.

Make sure you get the one time use tensioning spring from Ford so that you can tension the belt.

stop by the Zetec forum and search and ask questions you should be able to get any answer that you need