Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Is a 2.0L Zetec an interference engine?

I'm a newbie.
Is the 95 2.0L Zetec 16V engine an interference engine? I've searched Google and came up with conflicting posts. So I figured I'd come to the experts here.
I recently aquired a 95 Contour with 2.0L and automatic for my brother who has no money and just starting a low paying job.
Any way. I pulled the timing belt inspection cover and can see the belt has small check cracks in it. I figure it won't last long before it breaks. Is this an engine killer when it snaps?
I've been reading a few how to replace the belt articles and found out about loosening the cam sprokets when tentioning the belt. I'm OK with that. Sounds good.
How big of a job is this entire timing belt issue?
I build and drag race rear wheel drive cars so this transverse mounted engine is new to me. How long does it take to do? Anyone in Michigan, near Pontiac care to do it ? If so , how much do you charge?

Danford1

please visit the zetec forum, all your answers will be there

it is a non-interference engine

takes about 4 hours to change timing belt if you have the tools and knowledge

i posted the instruction from the 95 shop manual in the zetec maintenence forum

just change the belt now if it looks bad

you don't need to loosen the cam sprocket bolts to change the timing belt

make sure you replace all the pullies

if you built drag cars this should be easy, just low on space

There is contradictory information out there about whether the zetec is a non-interference engine. (Note: just because someone has a timing belt failure and doesn't lose any valves does not definitively prove it's non-interference.)

REALLY bad start #2

Cross posting...

I have seen hundreds of these towed in with broken timing belts and non of them had any engine damage. As far as I know, it isn't possible, but there have been a very few reports of valve damage here on CEG.

The chances of damage are extremely remote.