Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting just bought 95 contour.... need a lil' help

so just bought a 95 zetec contour. has a couple of bumps and doesn't run yet but for 200$ who's gonna complain.
first step is to get a starter. apparently someone needed it. as for my questions: the cable coming off the negative cablr on the battery is not connected to anything, so if a friendly zetec owner would trace it down I could really use the info.
I have the Escort haynes which covers the zetec in the ZX2 and it isn't very clear about the timing. I think it didn't run because of improper timing. (need to get a starter to find out) I guess the question is: do the zetec cams have index marks on the pulleys or some where or is there a trick to placing them properly.
my little 97 Escort spi is slightly less complicated.. and I am a little lost. of course the way i see it there are only four combinations of cam placement so the right one shouldn't be hard to find.
thanks in advance
Andrew-Contour newbie!

buy a special tool from ford that they use to find the timing on the cams. Just slide the tool into the right side of the cams (the side opposite from the gears) and there is only one way they will fit. It's kinda easy.

Are you sure it was ignition timing that was the problem? Could it be valve timing. That would make more sense as to why someone would give up on a car and sell it for $200.
If this is the case you would need a new timing belt. I don't know if there is a valve clearance issue with those engines though. If there is, the valves get bent when the timing belt slips. Someone with a zetec will have to chime in to answer that.

Luckily my vavles were fine after my timing belt problems. Check out the Zetec sections here on the board. I just ran outside for a second and looked really quick. But couldnt follow the wires too well. I'll try again before I go to work tonight.

valves, according to some focus buddies are a non-issue on the zetec (thanks god) but I think the last guy who worked on it wanted the car. he offered to buy as soon as my buddy looked at selling. fishy???
I think the timing may be out 180 degrees??
need to get a starter.. and then i'll have a better idea..
thanks for all your help. i'll let you know what happens...