eplacing Zetec cam belt & fuel filter qn.

[Guest]

Hello all,

2 questions:

I want to replace the cam belt on my Zetec but the Haynes manual says I have to remove the cam covers to lock them with a tool. Thing is, being a tight-wad, I don't want to cough up £20-odd for a new gasket if I can avoid it by simply being very careful not to move anything once the belt is off (& marking the sprockets & casing just in case, as recommended by local auto shop). How bad an idea is this? I was thinking that if teeth on the new belt didn't quite line up then I'd be kinda screwed....

Secondly, I'm using a red top fuel pump but so far have not put in a fuel filter (anywhere! ) - do I need to? I'm sure the fitting instructions said it wasn't necessary.....

Thanks,

- Dan.

[Blatman]

You MUST fit a filter between the tank and the fuel pump, no matter what sort of pump it is.

I was thinking that if teeth on the new belt didn't quite line up then I'd be kinda screwed....

And you don't think that peace of mind is worth £20............

Plus, you'll have the right tool for doing it next time, and you could lend it out at, what, a fiver a time to all the other Zetec boys, and get your money back.......eventually..........

[Matt Seabrook]

The rocker cover gasket is rubber so a replacement if you are that hard up is not always required. You will need the tool to line the cams up if you do not want to loose BHP as just marking the cam sprockets is just not good enough. If Ford say this is the way to do it the follow there advise. If you go for performance cams at a later date the plate is not going to help as you will have to set them up with max lift at # of degs or # lift at TDC but for standard cams there is no better way of getting it right.

[PeteBishop]

Dan

I have reused my gasket loads of times just make sure it stays in the cam cover when you put it back on,put some grease under it in between the bolt holes.You should be able to buy the locking plate from Partco/Brown brothers, it is just a flat plate that slides in across the back of the cams.

If you are running a red top pump you need to run a pressure regulator after the pump because it is 7psi which is far too much causing the carbs to flood 2.5-3.5 psi is all it needs.

I have seen more cars without a filter before the pump and they have no problems but for the cost i would fit one.

Cheers

Peter

[Guest]

Thanks all,

I have to go into Ford tomorrow so I'll find out what they charge for the cam-locking tool and if it's a lot then I'll make one as described in the Haynes manual.

I've already got the pressure regulator; it's just the build manual made no reference to fuel filters so I thought I'd better find out.

[Kevin Wood]

If it's the mechanical red top pump you have (cylindrical item) it has a pre-pump filter inside the bottom of the cylinder. You would be advised to fit something like a "filter king" pressure regulator and filter combined between the pump and the carbs. This has a much finer filter than the pump.

The Ford cam locking tool is just a flat metal bar 5mm in thickness. You might be able to improvise but I can't imagine it costing a lot.

Kevin

[Mark Stanton]

Even though the pump has a filter fit one of those small clear plastic jobs before it      They're cheap and worth it - I've seen loads of pumps screwed up cos "stuff" has got into them        

Tommo will be along shortly to confirm        

[neo]

Haxsaw Draper do a kit inc the plate anf crank pin only cost me £9.00 sves chewing on as well.local mdc got me mine