01 escort 2.o dohc

Belt went out on my escort, so i replaced the timing belt and it acts like it is out of time. It has the VCT. Do u have to do something different when installing the belt? It runs but just not that good.. Compression is from 130-140. I even tried both timing marks on the crank pulley and it runs better on the one i used the first time. Any help would much appreciated!!


Thanks

Mark

Are you using a camshaft aligning tool to hold the camshafts into the TDC position? With the valve cover off it fits into the slots on the back side of the camshafts. Turn the crankshaft until you feel compression at the #1 cylinder. Put a long screwdriver into the plug hole and stop turning the crank as it reaches the top and just before it starts to go down. Take note of the notches in the outer rim of the crank pulley. As you turn the crank clockwise (facing it) there are 2 notches on the pulley. The 2nd notch lines up with the raised edge on the oil pan. To determine if you are at TDC compression check for free play between the lifters and the cam. If one side is tight you are on the TDC exhaust stroke instead of the compression stroke. With both cams lined up with the camshaft tool and the #1 cylinder on top dead center of the compression stroke put on the belt. Make sure you are using a camshaft alignment tool to set the cams. If you don't have one you can make one from a flat bar of metal or angle iron. just make sure it fits tightly into the grooves at the back of the camshafts. Rotate the crankshaft 2 complete turns and check the camshaft alignment with the mark on the crank pulley. If the engine is sluggish the valve timing is retarded too much. You'll have to redo the timing marks.