Zetec Silvertop Cambelt Change - Newbie Questions

[wesacosa]

Hi All

Just in the middle of doing my cambelt change on my 2.0L Zetec Silvertop and now read through so many forums my head is hurting !

The Ford procedure doesnt say how much play there should be between the 2 cam pulleys though. I recall reading something on forum somewhere but cant for the life of me find it now.

There is a little bit of play between mine at the moment, althought its similar to the old belt, and if you start to bar the engine over the slack gets taken up and becomes pretty tight.

Also, some people dont seem to like tensioning with the spring which comes with the Ford kit. I have used this so if anyone thinks its a bad idea then would appricate a shout.

Cheers

Wes

[Stuart]

All the Ford procedure says is "ensure belt is taut between sprockets on non-tensioner side'. So I do this (on my silvertop 1.8) both between the crank and the first pulley + also between the 2 pulleys. That way there is no slack to be taken up anywhere so you don't see any change in tautness when the engine is running. My idler has never had a spring - so again it's tighten the adjuster holding bolt when the belt is 'taut'.

I have changed the belt twice now - first time I got away without adjusting cam sprockets, second time no chance there was so much slack the belt was thrumming when I turned it over. Sprockets adjusted and all fine. No idea why this difference but someone more techie than me could well be along to advise soon.

[BLiNK Motorsport]

There is an excellent article in the FAQ section written by MGF255 regarding replacing cams which covers a cambelt change:

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php?/topic/85508-zetec-e/

[fatbaldbloke]

I was taught to take the longest length of belt between the pulleys and you should be able to twist it through 90 degrees with your thumb and forefinger, but with quite a bit of effort.

[wesacosa]

Thanks for the replies, tried the 90 degree twist rule on the long span down to the crank pulley and seemed to be about right.

Putting it back together now and realised one of the bolts for the front cover is longer than the others, has a similar sized threaded portion but then a long unthreaded shank before the bolt head. I tried it in all of the holes I can see for the top and bottom covers but it wont screw down into any of them without sticking out. I took the cover off in the fading light so didnt realise and make a note of where it came from. Anyone got any ideas ?

Cheers

[Alwest]

With both the crank locking tool in place and the cam locking tool in place the cam shaft pulleys should be loosened enough for pulleys to rotate freely, ensuring engine is still in place on locking tools, tension belt with pulleys still loose! When tensioned and locked up then tighten cam pulleys, remove locking tools and rotate engine by hand, 2 full revolutions, bring back close to timing marks and reinsert locking tools, if you have it correct crank will lock against pin and bar will insert in cams. If all goes well and timing is correct, then remove locking tools and reassemble, done mine last week and dozens when in motor trade

[Alwest]

Left hand side looking at engine from front, top bolt middle cover, 99% without looking

[wesacosa]

Thanks Alwest, but should the head of the bolt be flush with the cover or stick out. Tried it by hand in all the holes and seemed like it was not going to go all the way in on either but didnt want to force it with a ratchet until I was sure which hole to use!

[Stuart]

If it's the one I think you mean then it shouldn't be a bolt (set screw) but a threaded bar with a nut on it - and the thread does protrude somehwat through the nut. Could be someone's replaced it with wrong screw?

[Alwest]

No the bolt you are talking about is correct for the engine, it defo fits in the middle cover top hole on the left hand side looking at engine from the front of the car, it is standard on Zetec engines so that when engine is fitted to Escorts etc the bolt in question acts as an anchor point for the air con or P.A.S pipes that run across the cam belt covers ( can't remember exactly which ) but it should be there, however no need to have it on a Westfield and if you have a bolt same as other cover bolts then no harm in replacing it.

[wesacosa]

thanks everyone for the help. Cheers.