Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Holding camshaft pullies while loosening bolts

The first time I tried it with out loosening the cam bolts the locking tool was stuck. If your going to do that job do it right, timing belt kit, and locking tool to lock not only the CAM but the CRANK as well. You will be rewarded with a perfectly timed engine.







JD

Definitely don't just use a bar to lock the cams. To keep the crank and cams from not moving, I had the belt on and put a piece of wood against it and pried while my dad did the work. Kept everything still, but I wouldn't recommend doing it that way.

OK, I finished the car over the weekend and wanted to post for anyone interested and maybe future searchers.

Loosening the camshaft sprocket bolts was the trick. For some reason, when I put in the new timing components, nothing would line up unless I left some slack at the top between the two pullies. Of course it didn't like this and ran rough, and there was slack, so I loosened the camshaft sprocket bolts and allowed the sprockets to freewheel while I tensioned the belt.

Worked perfectly. Nice even tension and the engine runs smooth and crisp as ever. Thanks for all of your suggestions/help.