Can anyone give me simple (as in I'm simple) intructions on replacing a 2 litre blacktop cam belt, done loads of searches but can't find one that gives the start to finish step by step how to do it.

not sure if it's 100% right...but took 15 seconds to find..

http://www.ehow.com/how_4590598_check-replace-timing-belt-ford.html

Not too sure if all Zetec's are the same. I believe mine is a blacktop (North American SVT, Same as ST170). There is a flat metal plate that slots into both cams and the head to lock the top-end neatly into place.

http://www.etoolcart.com/ford-cam-alignment-tool-otc-6474.aspx

Pin locks bottom end.

Buy a complete kit, with new belt and all the pulleys, my tensioner pulley let go, belt was perfect but lost tension, busted 8 valves and dinged 3 pistons.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400016972272&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

This is a decent price, you may be able to find a vendor in UK with something similar.

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I have done them, but never used a locking pin...
Just locked the cams with a bit of 5mm steel (I used a bit of the flat bar with lots of holes in it from Wickes, used by builders for holding houses together or something)
Mark the bottom pulley/block with tippex, or there is a timing mark at about 5 o'clock IIRC.
Def worth replacing all pullies if at all suspect or you do not know when they were last replaced. Kits often very cheap on the bay. And def use a genuine/gates belt. Worth the extra couple of quid for peace of mind....

edit....should say my experiences are with silvertop, but marking with tippex has always workrd on all the engines I have done, whatever the make.

[Edited on 26/7/10 by cliftyhanger]

As the cam pulleys are not keyed to the cams, you really should lock the cams and crank in place with the locking kit.

Then loosen the cam pulleys, fit the new belt/tensioner etc, tension, nip up the cam pulleys, remove locking kit, turn engine over a couple of times by hand, recheck the timing and tension, refit locking kit and torque cam pulleys up.

you can get the locking pin kits off ebay for a few beer tokens

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=zetec+timing&_sacat=0&_dmpt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&_odkw=zetec+2.0+pin&_osacat=0&bkBtn=&a mp;_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313

and your supposed to use these pulley holder things to tighten the cam bolts:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=18956&Referrer=froogle

I could copy the pages out of my focus manual if that helps you...

DO NOT rely on the cam timing tool to hold the cams whilst slackening/tightening the cam pulley bolts, you WILL break the cam

One thing I don't understand, why do you have to loosen the cam pulleys?
Once the cams are at TDC and locked why not just slacken the tensioner and change the belt.
Apologies if it's a daft question, just don't understand why.

^^so that the belt tension is even and not cought on the teeth of the pulleys.... (there are no keys on the cam pulleys so they turn to let the belt tighten properly between them)

could be worse, the zetec SE (sigma) engines have no keys on any of the pulleys

[Edited on 26/7/2010 by mcerd1]

[Edited on 26/7/2010 by mcerd1]

Thanks for your help on this guys, another first for me, just changed a cambelt

Way to go John. Not as scary when you've done the first one.