How to Install the Timing Belt and Cams on an SVT Focus (After Rebuild)

[@YellohFoxGaming]

Happened to get an 2004 SVT this year for Christmas, I will be using these videos as a reference for when I happen to replace my head gasket and timing belt thanks for the free knowledge my friend.

[@605BOLT]

That's what we're here for. Stoked for you to start the journey. They're fun cars to drive for sure. If the head gasket isn't gone, it would save you a ton of effort to skip the head gasket and just do the timing cover. Only reason I dug as deep as I did was because the engine was fried. If you have any questions at all along the way, hit me up in the comments. I watch them very closely. 👍

[@Stock.e60]

Very clear, informative, and detailed video. Happened to get a customer with 2 identical 04 svt. Both orange 😂 blew the head gasket on both. This literally saved me hours of headaches.

[@605BOLT]

Oh man!!! That sucks. Hopefully the timing belt didn't break or skip or anything because if it does, the head usually needs work. What caused the head gasket? Two orange SVT's would be a very nice pair!

[@BigPermGarage]

Glad to see someone still rebuilding these!

[@605BOLT]

Seems to be a small list anymore! Thanks for being here!

[@Petrolhead99999]

Helpful advice for anyone doing this. These insights were discovered while doing my cam belt. Cam over/under advance is solved by the correct timing. There is some rumor on the forums that this can be avoided by leaving the intake cam sprocket tight, or some other hacks... The tensioning procedure is a critical part of getting the timing right. With the Massive tool kit, the crank and cams are held in time. By loosening the cam sprockets and using the tensioner to draw up the slack, the sprockets will clock themselves into the perfect location, as the tension in the belt has to resolve by finding the shortest path. It isn't possible to be off a tooth or to have them half a tooth out of phase, since the tension will clock the sprockets such that the belt is happy. I found it helpful to verify that the intake cam was on its dead stop position before even starting by twisting towards the rear of the car with a pair of channel locks. It isn't possible to slot the cam alignment tool in unless the intake cam is on its dead stop.

[@605BOLT]

Excellent advice. Can't agree more!!! 🍻

[@EEI605]

Cool, love that u had a second block to demonstrate what's going on inside

[@605BOLT]

Lots of junk laying around haha

[@recoilrob324]

Very nice video with everything done properly! Wanted to mention the HUGE problem that scads of members on the SVT Forum's had with timing belt installs....they often got cam timing codes. The cause was not how they installed the cams...it was when they did the 'double-check' of the timing by rolling the motor forward a couple turns then trying to put the cam bar back in place to verify their timing. This will NOT work because the spring in the VCT hub that pushes it to the rest position isn't as strong as the valve springs fighting against the cam trying to open the valves so the intake cam will be retarded. To 'double-check' the cam timing (as you should) get the crank back in the TDC position then use an adjustable wrench to advance the intake cam to the internal stop inside the hub. Then the timing tool will fit and you're done!

[@605BOLT]

@@recoilrob324 excellent info!!

[@605BOLT]

@@recoilrob324 also thank you for watching and commenting!!

[@imactuallyahero]

Got a video of what you described? I've confused myself and trying to chase down lumpy engine/on idle

[@605BOLT]

@imactuallyahero I don't have the car anymore sadly but that description from recoil rob is exactly right.

[@kennethfrazee2540]

Ok I know what I did wrong now thanx, try this tomorrow. It makes sense for the cam to be initially advanced for low rpm response then dial back through the power band. Works really well considering it's stuck with just 1 fairly aggressive cam profile.

[@felipemontez8754]

Just have to say thank you man. Your video clarified exactly what I needed to know for proper timing.

[@605BOLT]

That's great to hear! Happy it worked!

[@antn8387]

SVE etched on the cylinder head is my favorite nice build man

[@605BOLT]

It's cool. I agree. Didn't know if they all got it or not but I'm assuming so. 🤷‍♂️

[@YellohFoxGaming]

Going to attempt to replace my head gasket on my 03 svt, This video helps so much more than you would imagine lol

[@605BOLT]

Good deal. Sucks you have to do the job but hopefully it goes well.

[@h1mike2]

Awesome videos man, they're super high quality. I just got a new engine in my 02 svt and you'll love it when you get this thing running

[@605BOLT]

Thanks Mike for saying that. I got to bomb around in it most of the weekend. Has some kinks to work out still but definitely a fun little car when I got on the loud pedal 👍

[@dantrue6227]

Great videos...have 2 svt's 3 doors given to me...1 rollover and 1 running and driving..your videos are awesome. Going to try to do an engine rebuild with your videos. Keep it up!

[@605BOLT]

That and a good service manual!!!! Thanks for the kind words. 🙏

[@dantrue6227]

Ha...1st thing I bought 👍

[@poopsicle1629]

I’m in the same boat this will be my first time pulling a motor so this will definitely be helping trying to rebuild my svt I got for 800$

[@605BOLT]

@@poopsicle1629 yep haha got mine for 500 so we're in similar situations for sure. Hit me up if you have any hangups along the way and I'll do my best to help. 👍

[@godoboca8]

Excellent!!!!

[@605BOLT]

Glad you like it!

[@12345nope12345]

Nicely done and explained, thanks

[@605BOLT]

Thanks for watching!!!🍻

[@Petrolhead99999]

This video is a godsend. Prepping to do a TB on my 04 SVT. I'll come back to this video when I get cat cams from Massive xD

[@605BOLT]

Nice. Ya those will cost a few bucks!!

[@criven3128]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You’re a lifesaver man!

[@605BOLT]

Happy to help! Keep them running!

[@alanh4024]

Love these videos! Keep it up

[@605BOLT]

Thanks man. Glad u commented so I know. Not many focus guys left out there!

[@SuperPimp49]

Bro this is a amazing video thank you

[@605BOLT]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@FarFromNormalProductions]

I really appreciate the detailed explanations and examples. When will we see more of the Lightning!?

[@605BOLT]

Soon. Next project up for sure

[@FarFromNormalProductions]

@@605BOLT If you have any 3d printing needs please let me know. I went off the deep end and I'm starting a printing business i have volume of 48X24X24.75" i was thinning if you get that 4V manifold molded we could prototype it. Possibly even make it out of a high temp material and test it. Crazy? probably...

[@605BOLT]

@@FarFromNormalProductions daaaaamn ya thats awesome. I will hit u up if I have a need for sure. That's a big sucker. What printer is it?

[@FarFromNormalProductions]

@@605BOLT its a Modix "big120X" I got the enclosure and filtration system as well. It should really open up some material options. I also have a smaller machine set up and running production currently. But any thing that it can print you already have access too.

[@605BOLT]

Dude that's huge haha. The Cadillac of printers! Stoked for you. Now u need to make printing vids!

[@denigrator6399]

I noticed you mentioned in another comment that svt timing tensioners are 2lbs and zetec are 1lb? I just had the bolt on my tensioner snap thus destroying the tensioner or vice versa either way crazy

[@605BOLT]

Dang it that sucks to hear. You can hit up Matt Rowe of 5 Acre Focus on Facebook and he can get you the proper 2lb spring to put in a new, regular zetec tensioner. So yes, although Ford doesn't specifically make them anymore, there is still a solution for these cars. Hope you get it fixed easily!!

[@praiseworthy]

Good job thanks for the video. Very helpful. Specially the tool unfortunately where we are. Where is new Amazon delivery? We have to fabricated from scratch.

[@605BOLT]

You can make that tool. I don't have the dimensions of it exactly but any bar that fits across in that same manner would work. It should touch off the ends of the cams and also the top of the head. That makes everything line up perfectly. Order from Amazon if you can.

[@garyp1930]

Great Job !!

[@605BOLT]

Thanks!! ⚡

[@kennethfrazee2540]

Sigh just snapped my belt and will assume valves are munched. Pistons are usually ok after this but I can't find an svt/st170 replacement head. Maybe guides aren't cracked and I can lap new valves in?

[@605BOLT]

@@kennethfrazee2540 nooooooo. That sucks. Used heads are pretty available on Facebook I think. Used market. Might not be a big deal to have yours fixed. That's the shits though. Time to rebuild.

[@kennethfrazee2540]

@@605BOLT I've seen it Honda D, in which the only damage is a few valves and crescent shaped dings in piston tops. Really hoping I can save this head, I gather they respond well to port work, not like a Honda k but there's plenty of flow left on the table.

[@605BOLT]

@@kennethfrazee2540 most say the head is totally maxed out but maybe you can find some gains. Hoping your damage is minimal.

[@kennethfrazee2540]

Yeah just bent valves and 1 cracked guide. Rebuilt 2m5v head just showed up on my porch but I'll tinker with the old one, the exhaust ports suck and those chambers are hot spot city- aluminum is easy to work with

[@605BOLT]

@@kennethfrazee2540 nice. Get after it. Good luck.

[@matthewmoore661]

Can parts still be reliably obtained for the SVTs? Had one but the mechanic didn’t repair with a new clutch successfully, after spending $2,000 on the Getrag and looking at spending more I just sold it. My son was very upset and Im thinking of ZVT no FI or a ZX3 FI. Which way to go?

[@605BOLT]

I don't know about the last part of your comment but parts are definitely hard to find new. Lots of used parts available if that doesn't bother you though.

[@granprixgtp23]

For the timing belt tensioner can you use the regular one can’t find it for the svt one 😔

[@605BOLT]

I wouldn't. See the link in the description to get right one from Matt Rowe at 5 Acre Focus

[@BigPermGarage]

Do NOT use a regular one. My SVT had a regular tensioner on it from the previous owner. I happened to check my timing belt when doing valve cover seal and it was about as wide as a rubber band! Very close call. The regular tensioner is half the spring tension as the SVT one.

[@granprixgtp23]

@@BigPermGarage so it stretches the belt with the regular one

[@BigPermGarage]

@@granprixgtp23 no it doesnt have as much tension so in my case, it allowed it to rub against the motor I believe, slowly eating it up!

[@Leotheninja]

My Cam sprockets are still attached to my cams, would you recommend I remove them to replace that gasket?Also how crucial is it for the cam buckets to go back on top of the valve spring it was pulled from?

[@605BOLT]

I didn't set up my cylinder head. I had a shop do that since I needed machine work. There is a specific clearance between the bucket and the cam so I would say yes it actually is pretty important to get that right. As for the cams, this was the only procedure I could find for doing the timing as it was in the Ford manual. Many people say though that you can leave the sprockets attached and just do the belt and be done with it but I don't really know that procedure either. Sorry to not be more helpful. My understanding having not done it before is that you can just take the cams with sprockets and sit them in there and time it like normal but I'm not sure on that and I've obviously never done it that way. 😬🤷‍♂️

[@Leotheninja]

@@605BOLT Ok thanks for all that info .My OEM service manual just came in actually so I'll be doing it by the books as well.

[@605BOLT]

@@Leotheninja right on. You can do it! Great way to learn I say.

[@brendanbouwers6936]

Hey man I'm not sure how else to contact you . Im from south Africa. Using the same (ST170) Engine. Do you know if any shop that stocks vct solenoid? Or even a 2nd hand working one. Friend of mine in the states is willing to help me. Any assistance highly appreciated. Thanks for the awesome videos. Will definitely come in handy for when I strip my engine.

[@605BOLT]

The original one on my engine was broken so I bought one second hand off a parted out car. There are lots of guys selling parts on the "SVT Focus" Facebook group. There is also a Focus Classifieds group that has part outs. I have also heard of people using some sort Volkswagen solenoid as a replacement. It fits I think but you need to put a different connector on the harness to accept it. Not too bad of a job. Hopefully that helps you some. Crazy this video is seen in South Africa! Very cool car you have an I hope you get it running! Do not hesitate to ask questions or message me anytime. Good luck!

[@brendanbouwers6936]

@@605BOLT thanks bud. Are you on any other socials? My car has been running since last year July and been thrashing it since Feb lol with locked welded vct gear . Would like to show you the setup and car it's in

[@605BOLT]

@@brendanbouwers6936 I'm on FB (Neil Kaltsulas). 👍

[@EstebanToledo-in7vz]

Amigo que medida tienen los tensores de la distribución el focus??

[@605BOLT]

@@EstebanToledo-in7vz I'm sorry I'm not sure what you are asking. Can you have someone type it in English? Google translate didn't help me much. The tensioner is a 2lb tensioner made specifically for the svt.

[@EstebanToledo-in7vz]

​@@605BOLTcompre kit de distribucion y me queda floja la correa,pienso que el tensor fijo es más chico quería saber que medida tiene

[@605BOLT]

@@EstebanToledo-in7vz oh ok. I'm sorry. I don't know what size it is. Sorry. Sold the car a while back so I can't check for you.

[@nathanhotsko6002]

Hey do you have a part number or store where you got the o-ring for the front cam caps?

[@605BOLT]

I reused on that. I would try tascaparts.com maybe or just go to the dealer for that one. The little blue one for the VCT solenoid?

[@nathanhotsko6002]

@@605BOLT Hey thanks for replying fast, and yea the blue one, I'll try that website, thanks!

[@605BOLT]

@@nathanhotsko6002 if you find it, do me a favor and hit me back here in case someone else asks then they can browse the comments. Good luck!!!

[@jerryslagle8627]

I'm also looking for that part number, I couldn't find it on that website. If anyone has it, that would be super helpful!

[@605BOLT]

Part number is 2m5z-6d250. Sounds like it's discontinued though. Dimensions are 18mm OD, 12.5mm ID, 2mm thickness. that's just from me digging through the forums and whatnot. I did not verify any of that. Just what I found anyway. Hope it helps some.

[@criven3128]

Hey man, just doing timing on my motor this morning. Mine seems to have a lower idler pulley, is that common to this motor?

[@605BOLT]

To my knowledge, these engines are all the same. This is an SVT Focus you're working on?

[@criven3128]

@@605BOLT yessir. The previous owner(s) have done a lot of hokey work with the car so it’s very possible that it’s just wrong, but it’s got an upper and lower idler pulley on it and I wanted to check. I’ve done some research and I can’t find anyone else using a lower idler, just the upper

[@605BOLT]

Can't say I've ever heard of that. Sorry I can't help you.

[@criven3128]

@@605BOLTall good! I couldn’t find any info on it anywhere so I just took it out. Runs just fine. Forever thankful for these videos man, they’re lifesavers.

[@605BOLT]

That means a lot friend. Glad you got her running! These cars are getting to be hard to find.

[@karltruty3469]

You should put the link to the real massive tool in the comments. Not the knockoff. The knockoff one's pin is not the correct length and the machined reliefs in the bar are incorrect as well.

[@605BOLT]

Oh I didn't know that. I'll change that thanks for the heads up!!!

[@605BOLT]

Got her changed. 👍

[@LifesAbe-ach]

Really ? the cam bar only needs to be parallel and correct thickness to fit relief in cam end, I use a piece of bright bar and a pin that's cheap as and I build these and zetec turbos all the time upto 400bhp never a issue . Standard the 170 St / SVT Zetec/ Duratec is boring to drive that's why I run a RS .

[@605BOLT]

@@LifesAbe-ach I've only ever used the massive one and it obviously worked fine. Can't speak to what other ones are out there but I agree it doesn't seem to be an overly technical piece.

[@jonathanblotzer6492]

No part 2???

[@605BOLT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpOqqHeElt2Vl7c I think this is the next one. 🤔

[@605BOLT]

But this is all of the vids on the focus in order. SVT Focus: kzbin.info/aero/PL0MO5fWKbO-sqb_aayrFoH11f4woxMrOd

[@HACKDivisionOfficial]

Where are you located lol I have an svt that’s been trouble

[@605BOLT]

I'm in southeast south dakota on the Missouri River.

[@HACKDivisionOfficial]

@@605BOLT awe far from me to bad, may be commenting more if I run into trouble timing lol.

[@605BOLT]

@@HACKDivisionOfficial thats absolutely no problem. Please do. Also the SVT Focus Facebook page is helpful

[@jerryslagle8627]

Did you have any issues with over retard / over advance cam (p1383 or p1381) after doing the timing belt and running the car?

[@605BOLT]

No issues whatsoever.

[@jerryslagle8627]

@@605BOLT Hmm ok thanks! Currently struggling with that issue! Lol

[@605BOLT]

@@jerryslagle8627 dang it! Ya I haven't had any issues. Is the vct system operating I wonder?🤔

[@jerryslagle8627]

@@605BOLT it is! It's just sometimes really finicky to get set right. Actually, it seems finicky more times than not! I'm surprised you didn't have that problem honestly!

[@605BOLT]

@@jerryslagle8627 beginners luck is a thing!!

[@PhillyDee215]

👌👌👌

[@605BOLT]

Lotta work went into this video. 🥵

[@PhillyDee215]

@@605BOLT i see😉

[@LifesAbe-ach]

SVT tensioner isn't unique it's fitted on other ford's , if you know you know .

[@605BOLT]

Educate me.

[@LifesAbe-ach]

I make a living selling so called unique parts such as all the ones fitted to the MK1 RS , currently the tensioner for the SVT is on my list . Give me a email to PM as giving this info takes away my customer base so don't want it public , if you get what I'm saying . I break and sell loads of the SVTs and other sports marque Ford's in the UK . RS, ST XR badged . Shame you didn't get the RS focus mk1 in the US .

[@605BOLT]

@@LifesAbe-ach I respect your business and whatnot but I'm not in the information withholding business. Haha. I'm just here to help people work on their own cars and keep them on the road. Matt Rowe sells the parts and is very pleasant to work with in all manners so he's a great resource for US SVT owners.

[@LifesAbe-ach]

@@605BOLT Fine pal whatever you like . The tensioner made by the oem supplier is only £35 about $50 . You can fit the standard Zetec 2.0 tensioner but some say they have had belt snap or walking on tensioner pulley although I sold a engine with 1 fitted that had covered 35k miles previously according to service history and receipts and it looked perfect regarding the belt . Is that a genuine oil pump fitted or pattern part ? as most in the UK are rebranded India or China sourced so I bought stateside genuine from massive speed systems clearance for RS engine builds .

[@605BOLT]

@@LifesAbe-ach I used a melling brand oil pump. Can't say about it's country of origin

[@markblaisdell7066]

Imaginary lover imaginary lover play

[@605BOLT]

Lol what?