Does anyone know of a how-to on replacing the tiiming belt. Im approaching 108k in miles and Id like to get that done before I go on my trip. Ive done timing chains before, but never a belt and I certainly dont want to mess that up.
TXFO, Im sure you got info on that, any tips or directions?
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
I haven't personally done the install but the worst thing about it is the motor mount needs to be pulled to get the belt on and off. At least that's what I read when I was researching to put my cam gears on. (still haven't installed them) It said if you change the belt you have to pull the mount, if you use the same belt then you can push it aside. The mount appears to be right in the middle of the damn belt. Not a very good design.
Last edited on Thu Jun 30th, 2005 11:17 am by smoknzx3
Hey smokinzx3, thanks for the info. Do you remember where the how-to was? I had thought I may have to yank the motor mount, which as you stated is not a good design, but not a biggie either. I just want to make sure that belt gets replaced. I got 110k miles on the Focus and its OEM as far as I know. Id like to be able to put on some cam gears at the same time, but those things are so blasted expensive. I keep hoping I find someone with some red ones that wants to dump them off at a better price.
At any rate, are their any particular recommendations on brand name for timing belts? Ive done my share of timing chains, but Ive never done a belt before.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
I think for the best belt I would go direct to the dealer. I'm sure they would provide you with a good belt. It will cost a few more dollars but this isn't something you want to go cheep on. Tony at Newedgeperformance.com is selling Focus Central cam gears for $169 and they come in red. That's the color I got
Oh yeah the how too is on FF.com but it was for cam gears not the timing belt. since the belt has to be removed to do the gears you could get some good tips from the how too
Last edited on Thu Jun 30th, 2005 01:42 pm by smoknzx3
I watched it done on "two guys garage" on a Focus(!) so I can tell you how to do it from what they showed:
1st off, remove the valve cover, timing belt cover and spark plugs.
Next, get a big effing ratchet and a socket to fit the crank pulley (5/8 worked from what I remember)
Using the ratchet/socket, turn the crank (Clockwise!) and line the cams up. Using the stupid Zetec cam alignment tool, lock them in place so they won't move (or else you're FUCKED!)
Remove the motor mount.
Remove the acc. belt and crank pulley (NOT the crank timing pulley!)
REMOVE AND REPLACE the timing belt tensioner pulley. DON'T SKIMP on this and say "oh, it's fine". REPLACE IT.
Remove and replace the timing belt. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD don't mess with the cams or alignment tool! If you have to, loosen the cam pulley bolt and align the pulley but don't mess with the cam timing!
Re-install everything in reverse order. Don't forget to take the cam alignment tool off. Do it last before you put the valve cover back on just to be safe!
Just curious...if you buy aftermarket cams, do they come with cam gears? If not, would there be any benefit to getting different cam gears when using aftermarket cams?
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I just saw that episode too.
I don't think there are any aftermarket cams that come with gears. Most cam gears are the same, they allow you to advance and retard timing. The only think to look for in a cam gear is regular bolts that can be torqued down, and not the ones you tighten with an allens wrench.
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Mr. Versatile wrote: Just curious...if you buy aftermarket cams, do they come with cam gears? If not, would there be any benefit to getting different cam gears when using aftermarket cams?
The focus timing is not standardize as I understand it, so most tuners use the cam gears to get the optimal timing setting. The same would be true for aftermarket cams. If you are going to spend the money on aftermarket cams, you might as well get the cam gears so they can be tuned to maximize your current state of tuning.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
ProjectFocusFast wrote: I watched it done on "two guys garage" on a Focus(!) so I can tell you how to do it from what they showed:
1st off, remove the valve cover, timing belt cover and spark plugs.
Next, get a big effing ratchet and a socket to fit the crank pulley (5/8 worked from what I remember)
Using the ratchet/socket, turn the crank (Clockwise!) and line the cams up. Using the stupid Zetec cam alignment tool, lock them in place so they won't move (or else you're FUCKED!)
Remove the motor mount.
Remove the acc. belt and crank pulley (NOT the crank timing pulley!)
REMOVE AND REPLACE the timing belt tensioner pulley. DON'T SKIMP on this and say "oh, it's fine". REPLACE IT.
Remove and replace the timing belt. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD don't mess with the cams or alignment tool! If you have to, loosen the cam pulley bolt and align the pulley but don't mess with the cam timing!
Re-install everything in reverse order. Don't forget to take the cam alignment tool off. Do it last before you put the valve cover back on just to be safe!
Okay James, what is the Zetec Cam Alignment tool and where would I get such a beast? Is the alignment tool and the locking tool all one thing?
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
The cam alignment / locking tool is like a flat piece of metal that locks into the opposite side of the cam fron the timing belt side. It will lock into place at TDC (Cyl 1) or possibly at BDC.
I forgot to mention: Your cams may be off time (this happens!). If they don't both lock into place at TDC, you have to turn one of them a few degrees to line it up. I'm not sure the easiest way to do this, but I think I figured out a method:
Lock the cam that is of correct time into place at TDC with the tool. Loosen the cam gear bolt on this cam only enough so the gear will spin freely and not turn the cam. Using a small amount of paint or marker or something, mark the CRANK's position. Now, turn the engine using the crank (the good cam should not spin but the off time'd cam will). Line up the cam that is off time and lock it in. Now loosen this cam's bolt just enough so the cam will not turn. Line the crank back up and tighten both cam bolts back tight. Now both your cams will be right on time
First off no cams do not come with the cam gears, but yes, it is a smart move to buy some with the cams. A focus strait from the factory can very 15HP and that's because of the cam timing. Even with the cam lock tool you still should buy the crank pin. The two tools usally come in a tool set which can be bought at Newedgeperformace.com. I think it's $25. The crank pin goes in the block from the bottom. That way the crank is lined up with the cams on the top. Just because you line the cams up doesn't mean the bottom half of the engine is lined up. once you remove the timing belt the bottom end of the engine will turn indpendent from the cams. This tool will place the #1 cylinder in the proper location (TDC)
mchedd wrote: Regarding the camshaft alignment tool -
DON'T FORGET TO REMOVE IT BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE!!! Are you talking about the Crank pin? I don't think you can put the valve cover back on until the cam lock tool is removed. But you are right about the crank pin. LOL That would suck donkey balls. LOL
Last edited on Tue Jul 5th, 2005 08:42 am by smoknzx3
Im wondering if it wouldnt just be better to have someone do this for me. Though I did ask a quote from the Ford dealership and as I recall they wanted near $400 to do the job. Its going to cost me around $100 for the tools, tensioner and belt. So Im not sure at this point. I would like to do it myself but I sure dont like tackling something unknown to me like this without someone else around that knows what they are doing.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
I know the feeling. That's why I'm going to end up with cams and cam gears sitting until I get back to the states. I think I know enough to be dangerous. LOL
