Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Cam Timing Marks

Hi y'all need some help here. I'm working on an 98 2.0L Zetec, 124k, with exhaust variable valve timing. One of the idler pullies broke making the belt come off the gears. My timing belt book says to use the Ford tool #blah blah blah, to align the cams. My question is how can I do this without the tool? I set the cams about where I think they go and the motor runs, but with some hesistation right off idle. So it's not quite right. I replaced both idler pullies and the belt tensioner too.

Thanks.

The haynes manual has a pretty easy procedure but I don't know what it is off the top of my head. I'll check my manual when I get home if an answer doesn't show up today.

Hey man withouth that tool..it will be very difficult..My dealer once told me to use a file or a flat piece of metal...shh, my timimg was off every time..I went to a metal shop and had the tool made using the dimensions in the manual...They will only be set correctly with the proper dimesions of the piece of metal or either the tool...you can get it from Zxtuner.com

OK, today I tried using a 6mm allen wrench on each cam in the solts at the rear of the cams. Kinda like what the Ford tool does. It still doesn't run right, sounds like it's popping thru the intake. I called Napa to get the tool and they said it's on backorder from OTC. Well isn't that just swell? Sounds like this ones going to the dealer to get fixed.