Originally Posted by
SnackaJacques
Yeah mate it was a fun week. Basically a bought a fairly nice 2001 Focus and thought I'd just give it a full service. Mileage was at 75K so wanted to do timing belt too.
My mate restores Porsche and TVR engines so I thought it would be a doddle! (So did he). After the timing going tits up (but it still running - just like a dog) we eventually did timing again and it sorted it. Second time round learned that its best to use a timing pin! DOH! Went for a test drive and drove like a dream - then as he pulled in to the workshop and had it idling, something slipped and it conked out. He said two of the valves are fairly damaged and other ones have been hit too. Slight mark on piston heads but because it was just idling I guess it doesnt do as much damage as regular driving.
We're sourcing a new head or thinking about just replacing the valves (would this suffice?) - but need to find out compatibility!
Of course he's paying for all of this
Just annoying not having a car!
timing kit is only a few quid from motor factors and makes the job a lot easier, only way to do it imho on those engines, unless you use a load of dial guages and know the specs of the cams.
if the pistons are only slightly marked they should be fine. if just the valves are bent and theres no damage to valve seats and guides then you could just replace the valves that made contact with the pistons. may aswell put new valve stem seals in too. cost wise it may be no more expensive to get a good salvaged head which would save dismantling the head.
unfortunately these things happen. hopefully any differences in head design are minimal and not going to affect anything as Rich170 has proven the black top and silvertop se's are interchangable in the focus so you may well be able to use the silvertop head.
good luck in getting the porblem solved. when it comes to timing it back up use the timing kit with the pin and bar for the cams. then once fitted and tensioned you can remove the bar and pin, turn the engine over a few times, refit the pin and then when you reach tdc and the crank stops as it hits the pin you can check if you can get the bar back in the cams. if you can timing is spot on! oh and remove the spark plugs when turning over by hand, makes it soooooo much easier though i'm sure your mate knows this.
good luck with it, i hate being without wheels tooo
