contour cylinder head issues

vatech1625 · 07-04-2009, 12:52 PM

no good deed goes unpunished!! trying to help my brother-in-law with some engine work. he's got a '98 contour 2.0 zetec with a bad head, so he found a wrecked '96 contour 2.0 zetec & took the head off it. problem is, the '98 has vct, and the '96 does not. my question is, can the heads be swapped without causing computer issues? the cam gears on both heads have exactly the same # of teeth, but i'm not sure how to time them if it would work anyway!

canuck623 · 07-04-2009, 02:25 PM

There is no reason why it wouldn't work other than the fact if the VCT equipped exhaust cam decided to back up (retard) with out the solenoid to control it the thing would be a dog. You need oil pressure to activate it and keep it in the correct position. If the oil galleries all match I am pretty sure the default for the solenoid is off so the timing would be the same. Crap shoot for sure. Don't think I would try myself. Snake eyes in this situation would be expensive.

vatech1625 · 07-05-2009, 08:47 AM

with the exception of the passages for the vct solenoid, the heads are identical. i agree it is a crapshoot, but at this point my options are limited (i'm not putting any of my $$$ towards this deal!) the '96 head still has the cams included, so i'm hoping it's possible to install complete & just leave the vct wiring harness unplugged. if there isn't a signal to tell it to retard or advance, it should just maintain a baseline timing???

canuck623 · 07-05-2009, 09:02 AM

If the oil pressure works yes it should do that.

vatech1625 · 07-05-2009, 09:08 AM

thanks. hopefully i'll let you know if it worked tonite!!

JohninGeogria · 07-06-2009, 04:52 AM

just for safety sake I would have the head pressure tested and resufraced before I would install - more our less a $100 investment = the aggravation of a blow head gasket.
Make certain the head bolts are new ($20 more or less) and torqued to the proper values in the recommended 3 step torque values and in the proper sequence. These aluminum alloy heads are nice for better cooling but are delicate if you do it incorrectly. Then you get to do it all over again.

vatech1625 · 07-06-2009, 05:29 AM

thanks for the info, did have a new bolt set, but i don't have to worry now. two problems came up: (1) cam position sensor on the '98 is on the exhaust side, on the '96 it is on the intake side. (2) idler & tensioner setup for timing belt is completely different, no place to put the adjustable tensioner on the old style head- the casting is different on the end. oh well, at least i do't have to give up any more free labor!!