Ford Contour specifications

Last Updated on May 12, 2024 by Mutiara

The following specifications are for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique manufactured throughout 1995-2000. Unless otherwise noted, all unmarked measurements are in inches. For some more V6 and SVT specifications please see the Contour SVT specifications list.

Fluids, lubricants, capacities	Both engines	I4 Zetec	V6 Duratec
AC Refrigerant	R134a
AC Refrigent capacity	24.5-27.5 oz
Brake fluid	DOT 3
Engine oil viscosity	5W-30
Engine oil capacity (w/ filter change)		4.5 qt	5.8 qt, 6.0-6.5 (safer recommendation)
Engine coolant	50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water
Engine coolant capacity (w/ heater core)		7.5 qt (95-97 automatic),7.0 qt (98+ automatic), 7.0 (95+ manual),	9.1 qt (95-98 automatic), 10.2 qt (98+ automatic), 8.9 qt (95-98 manual), 10 qt (99+ manual)
Power steering fluid	Mercon automatic trans fluid
Trans auto & manual fluid	Mercon 5 automatic trans fluid
Trans auto capacity dry fill		9.0 qt (95-97), 7.6 qt (98+)	10.3 qt
Trans auto capacity drain & refill	4 qt to start, then add as necessary
Trans manual capacity	5.5 pt
Trans manual clutch fluid	Dot-3 brake fluid
Cooling system
Radiator cap opening pressure	16 psi
Recovery tank filler cap pressure	13-18 psi
Pressure test	20 psi for 10 sec
Thermostat	Opens 189-194, fully open 216 F
Radiator fan activation	stage1: 100 deg C stage2: 103 deg C
Radiator fan deactivation	stage1: 93 deg C stage2: 100 deg C
Temperature sensor	68 deg F 35.0-40.0 K-ohms, 212 deg F 1.9-2.5K-ohms, 248 deg F 1.0-1.3 K-ohms.
Fuel system
Fuel filter	Motorcraft FG-800A
Fuel pressure idle, regulator hose connected	27.5-33.5 psi (fpr vacuum connected), 36-42 psi (fpr vacuum disconnected)
Fuel system hold pressure	26 psi
Fuel injector resistance	13.7-15.2 ohms
Idle control valve resistance	6-14 ohms
Idle-increase solenoid valve resistance	50-120 ohms
Ignition & electrical
Firing order		1-3-4-2	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder & coil terminal order
Spark plugs		Motorcraft AYSF22FM (95-97), Motorcraft AZFS32FE (98+), Autolite XP5364 (95+)	Motorcraft AGFS32FM, Autolite XP104
Gap		0.050	0.054
Battery rating	540-650 CCA
Ignition timing	10 ± 2 deg
Ignition coil output min	37.0 kilovolts
Ignition coil primary resistance	0.50 ± 0.05 ohms
Alternator output	130 amps
Alternator brush length min	7/32
Alternator reg voltage at 2000 rpm	13.0-15.0 v
Crank position sensor resistance	200-450 ohms
Cam position sensor resistance	200-900 ohms
Intake air temp sensor ±15%	68 deg F 37.30 kOhms, 194 deg F 3.84 kOhms
Throttle position sensor	400-6000 ohms
Power steering pressure switch	contacts open inifite resistance 456-460 psi, contacts closed 0-2.5 ohms 196-348 psi
Charcoal canister purge solenoid valve	50-120 ohms
Pulse-air solenoid valve	50-120 ohms
Manual trans MTX-75
Gear ratio 1st	3.42:1
Gear ratio 2nd	2.14:1
Gear ratio 3rd	1.45:1
Gear ratio 4th	1.03:1
Gear ratio 5th	0.77:1
Gear ratio reverse	3.42:1
Gear ratio final drive		3.84:1	4.06:1
Pressure plate runout max	0.028 in
Disc lining thickness min (to rivet heads)	1/32
Flywheel runout max	0.008
Engine information
Displacement		2.0 l (122 cu in)	2.5 l (153 cu in)
Oil pressure (hot)		20-45 psi at 1500 rpm (95-97), 35-65 psi at 2000 rpm (98+)	20-45 psi at 1500 rpm
Direction of crankshaft rotation		Clockwise (from right hand side of vehicle)
Brakes
Disc brake pad thickness (min)	1/8
Drum brake shoe thickness – bonded (min)	1/8
Drum brake shoe thickness – riveted (min)	1/16
Front	Ventilated disc, single-piston floating caliper
Front disc thickness	0.95 (new), 0.87 (min)
Front disc run-out max	0.006
Front disc thickness variation max	.0006
Frong hub face runout max	.002
Rear drums	Leading and trailing shoes, automatic adjusters
Rear drum diameter	8, 9.0 (new), 9.04 (max)
Rear disc	Vented disc, single-piston floating caliper
Rear disc thickness	0.787 (new), 0.71 (min)
Rear disc run-out max	0.006
Rear disc thickness variation max	0.0006
Rear hub run-out max	0.002
Torque specifications
Tensioner drivebelt mounting bolt		35 ft-lbs	15-22 ft-lbs
Spark plugs		108-156 in-lbs (95-97), 132 in-lbs (98+)	84-180 in-lbs (95-97), 144 in-lbs (98+)
Engine oil drain plug	15-21 ft-lbs
Wheel lug nuts	95 ft-lbs
Valve cover bolts		53-71 in-lbs (95-97), 62 in-lbs (98+)	72-108 in-lbs
Timing belt idler pulley bolts		47-53 ft-lbs (95-97), 38 ft-lbs (98+)
Camshaft cap bolts		stage1: 90 in-lbs stage2: 180 in-lbs (95-97), 132 in-lbs (98+)	72-108 in-lbs
Cam rear seal retinaer			72-108 in-lbs
Cylinder head bolts		stage1: 15-22 ft lbs stage2: 30-37 ft-lbs stage3: Tighten 90-120 deg (95-97), stage1: 18 ft-lbs stage2: 33 ft-lbs stage3: Tighten additional 105 deg (98+)	stage1: 27-32 ft-lbs stage2: rotate 85-95 deg stage3: Loosen one full turn stage4: 27-32 ft-lbs stage5: rotate 85-95 deg, stage6: rotate 85-95 deg
Timing belt cover fasteners		27-44 in-lbs (upper cover), 53-71 in-lbs (center & lower cover except 98), 36 ft-lbs (center cover 98)
Cover studs to cylinder head or block		78-96 in-lbs
Timing belt tensioner bolt		26-30 ft-lbs (95-97), 18 ft-lbs (98+)
Timing belt tensioner back plate locating peg		72-96 in-lbs (95-97)
Timing belt tensioner spring retaining pin		71-97 in-lbs (95-97)
Timing belt sprocket to camshaft bolts		47-53 ft-lbs (95-97), 50 ft-lbs (98+ intake cam), 88 ft-lbs (98 exhaust cam), stage1: 44 ft-lbs stage2: 89 ft-lbs (99+ exhaust cam)
Drivebelt idler pulley		35 ft-lbs (95-98), 30 ft-lbs (99+)	15-22 ft-lbs
Intake manifold nuts & bolts		144-180 in-lbs	72-108 in-lbs (upper & lower)
Intake manifold studs		84 ft-lbs
Alternator output terminal	80-97 in-lbs
Alternator pulley	33 ft-lbs
Alternator	15-22 ft-lbs (95-97), 33 ft-lbs (98+)
Alternator bracket		35 ft-lbs (95-97), 48 ft-lbs (98+)
Starter through-bolts	45-89 in-lbs
Starter motor mount bracket	18 ft-lbs bolts, 150 in-lbs nuts
Starter motor mount	15-20 ft-lbs
Starter solenoid	45-89 in-lbs
Cylinder head support		35 ft-lbs (front & rear)
Front engine lifting eye bolt		120-156 in-lbs (left hand), 29-40 ft-lbs (right hand)
Exhaust manifold heat shield		60 in-lbs (cyl head), 84 in-lbs (dip stick), 17 ft-lbs (coolant pipe to manifold)
Exhaust manifold nuts		132 in-lbs	13-16 ft-lbs
Crank pulley		81-89 ft-lbs	stage1: 89 ft-lbs stage2: loosen one turn stage3: 35-39 ft-lbs stage4: rotate 90 deg
Oil pump		72-96 in-lbs	72-108 in-lbs
Oil pickup		71-97 lbs (screws) 156-180 in-lbs (baffle)	72-108 in-lbs (nuts & bolts 95-98), stage1: 44 in-lbs stage2: Tighten 45 deg (nuts & bolts 99+)
Oil filter adapter		13-18 ft-lbs	25 ft-lbs
Oil pressure sensor adapter			15-22 ft-lbs
Oil pan baffle			15-22 ft-lbs (95-98), stage1: 44 in-lbs stage2: Tighten 45 deg (99+)
Oil pan		15-18 ft-lbs (95-97), 84 in-lbs (98), 18 ft-lbs (99+)	15-22 ft-lbs
Oil pan to trans		25-34 ft-lbs	25-34 ft-lbs
Rear main oil seal retainer		156-192 in-lbs
Coolant tube to oil pan		84 in-lbs
Flywheel/driveplate		79-88 ft-lbs	54-64 ft-lbs
Trans manual to engine		30 ft-lbs
Trans manual linkage support rod	41 ft-bs
Trans manual linkage clamp bolt	144 in-lbs
Trans manual shift assembly rear mounting	32 ft-lbs
Trans manual linkage to selector shaft	17 ft-lbs
Clutch slave cylinder bleed screw	61-87 in-lbs
Driveaxle support bearing bracket	17-22 ft-lbs
Driveaxle hub retaining nut	251 ft-lbs (95-97), 200 (98+)
Release cylinder bolts	84-168 in-lbs (95-97), 88 in-lbs (98+)
Rlease cylinder hydraulic fitting	124 in-lbs
Clutch master cylinder nuts	88 in-lbs
Pressure plate	13-18 ft-lbs (95-97), 21 ft-lbs (98+)
Trans auto selector cable bracket	15-19 ft-lbs
Trans auto torque converter	25-29 ft-lbs
Trans auto to engine	41-50 ft-lbs (95-97), 30 ft-lbs (98+)
Trans auto oil cooler lines	17 ft-lbs (95-97), 27-32 ft-lbs (98+)
Trans auto selector lever	84 in-lbs
Trans auto selector lever sensor	88 in-lbs
Trans auto speed sensor	44 in-lbs
Trans auto drain plug	19-21 ft-lbs
Trans auto cooler lines	15-19 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount front		35 ft-lbs (subframe)	52-70 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount rear man		58-62 ft-lbs (12mm trans bolts), 35 ft-lbs (10mm trans bolts), 35 ft-lbs (subframe)	52-70 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount rear auto		35-36 (trans), 35 ft-lbs (subframe)	30-41 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount left-hand		61 ft-lbs (trans)	30-41 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount right-hand		61-66 ft-lbs (engine), 82 ft-lbs (body)	30-41 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount centerbolts		89 ft-lbs	75-102 ft-lbs
Timing chain guide & tensioner			15-22 ft-lbs
Cap bolts & studs main bearing		63 ft-lbs
Cap bolts connecting rods		stage1: 26 ft-lbs stage2: tighten 90 degrees	stage1: 17 ft-lbs stage2: 32 ft-lbs stage3: tighten 90 deg
Piston cooling oil-jet blanking plug		84 in-lbs
Crank case lower to block		16 ft-lbs (98), 22 ft-lbs (99+)	stage1: bolts 1-8 18 ft-lbs stage2: bolts 9-16 30 ft-lbs stage3: bolts 1-16 tighten 90 deg stage 4: bolts 17-22 18 ft-lbs
Radiator lower support	71-97 in-lbs
Thermostat housing		78 in-lbs	156 in-lbs
Coolant temperature gauge sensor		62-89 in-lbs	13-18 ft-lbs
Coolant temperature sensor		89-120 in-lbs (95-97), 156 in-lbs (98+)	120-168 in-lbs (95-97), 17 ft-lbs (98+)
Water pump	156 in-lbs
Air conditioning condenser	24-48 in-lbs
Air conditioning compressor		15-22 ft-lbs (95-97), 65 (98+)	15-22 ft-lbs
Radiator fan shroud	24-28 in-lbs
Water crossover retainers			71-106 in-lbs
Plenum chamber	35 in-lbs
Throttle body	88 in-lbs
Idle control valve	88 in-lbs
Fuel injector retainer			71-106 in-lbs
Fuel pressure regulator		35 in-lbs	66 in-lbs (95-97), 53 in-lbs (98), 60 in-lbs (99+)
Fuel rail	88 in-lbs
Fuel rail couplings	17-22 ft-lbs
Exhaust all	30-33 ft-lbs
Crank position sensor		53-108 in-lbs	40-61 in-lbs
Cam position sensor		156-204 in-lbs (95-97), 66 in-lbs (98+)	71-106 in-lbs (95-97), 84 in-lbs (98+)
Intake air temp sensor	17 ft-lbs
Oxygen sensor	44 ft-lbs
EGR valve mounting		62-97 in-lbs	15-22 ft-lbs
EGR valve to exhaust manifold		44 ft-lbs (tube nuts), 62-97 in-lbs (coil bracket)	26-33 ft-lbs
Filter housing	35 ft-lbs
Exhaust manifold piping sleve nuts	24 ft-lbs
Throttle position sensor		132-180 in-lbs (95-97), 177 in-lbs (98+)	21-29 ft-lbs (95-97), 40 ft-lbs (98+)
Caliper bracket	89 ft-lbs front & back
Front caliper guide bolts	21 ft-lbs
Rear caliper guide bolts	30 ft-lbs
Rear drum brake backing plate	37 ft-lbs
Rear disc brake splash shield	66 ft-lbs
Vacuum booster unit	30 ft-lbs
Master cylinder	17 ft-lbs
ABS hydraulic unit	180 in-lbs
Wheel cylinder bolts	108 in-lbs
Front subframe	96 ft-lbs
Front lower arm ball joint to lower arm	43 ft-lbs
Front lower arm ball joint to steering knuckle	40 ft-lbs (95-97), 62 ft-lbs (98+)
Front lower arm to subframe	62 ft-lbs
Front sway/stabilizer bar	18 ft-lbs
Front sway/stabilizer bar link	26 ft-lbs
Front suspesnion strut to knuckle	62 ft-lbs
Front suspension strut upper mount nuts	34 ft-lbs
Front suspension strut thrust bearing nut	44 ft-lbs
Rear crossmember	75-102 ft-lbs
Rear front lower arm to knuckle & crossmember	52-72 ft-lbs
Rear lower arm to knucklke	75-102 ft-lbs
Rear lower arm to crossmember	52-72 ft-lbs
Rear sway/stabilizer bar	14-19 ft-lbs
Rear sway/stabilizer bar link	22-30 ft-lbs
Rear suspension strut to knuckle	52-72 ft-lbs
Rear hub nut	214 ft-lbs
Rear tie bar & tie bar bracket	75-102 ft-lbs
Rear strut upper mount	17-22 ft-lbs
Rear strut upper nut	30-43 ft-lbs
Steering rack mounts	101 ft-lbs
Tie-rod end to knuckle	18-22 ft-lbs
Tie-rod end to locknut	25-35 ft-lbs
Steering wheel	33-41 ft-lbs
Flex coupling	17-24 ft-lbs
Power steering pipe unions	20-26 ft-lbs
Steering column to coupling	168-240 in-lbs
Steering column mounts	168-240 in-lbs
Steering pump mount	180-252 in-lbs
Steering pump pressure line	42-54 ft-lbs
Hood & trunk hinges	18 ft-lbs
Trunk-lid	84 in-lbs
Front seat & seat belts	28 ft-lbs
Bumper	84 in-lbs
Rebuild info
Cam bearing inside diameter			1.062-1.063 in
Cam bearing journal diameter		1.022-1.023	1.060-1.061 in
Cam bearing clearance		0.0008-0.0027	0.001-0.0064 (standard), 0.0047 (service limit)
Cam endplay		0.003-0.009 (95-98), 0.0007-0.008 (99+)	0.001-0.0064 in
Cam lifter diameter		1.116-1.117 (95-97), 0.8740-0.8745 (98+)	0.6290-0.6294
Cam lifter clearance		0.0010-0.0027 (95-97), 0.0009-0.0026 (98+)	0.0007-0.0027
Cam lifter collapsed gap			0.19-0.43 in
Cam rocker arm ratio			1.8:1
Cam lobe lift		At 0 lash: 0.35 (95-97 intake primary), 0.036 (95-97 intake secondary), 0.31 (95-97 exhaust), 0.245 (98+ intake & exhuast)	0.188 in
Cylinder head warpage limit	0.006 overall
Cylinder head combustion chamber vol			43-46 cu cm
Valve lift		0.35 intake 0.31 exhaust (95-97), 0.405 both (98+)
Valve clearance at room temp		0.004-0.007 (98+ intake), 0.011-0.013 (98+ exhaust)
Valve head diam		1.26 intake 1.10 exhaust (95-97), 1.53-1.54 intake 1.33-1.34 exhaust (98+)	1.26 intake 1.02 exhaust
Valve stem diam		0.2373-0.2379 intake 0.2366-0.2372 exhaust (95-97), 0.3159-0.3166 intake 0.3148-0.3156 exhaust (98+)	0.2350-0.2358 intake 0.2343-0.2350 exhaust
Valve stem clearance		0.0007-0.0025 intake 0.0014-0.0032 exhaust (95-97) 0.0008-0.0027 intake 0.0018-0.0037 exhaust (98+)	0.0007-0.0027 intake 0.0017-0.0037 exhaust
Valve seat max face runout		0.0014 (95-97), 0.002 (98+)	0.001
Valve spring free length		1.70 (95-97), 1.86 (98+)	1.84
Valve spring installed height		1.35 (95-97), 1.42-1.54 (98+)
Valve spring pressure opened			153 lb at 1.18 in intake & exhaust
Valve spring pressure closed			51 lb at 1.57 in intake & exhaust
Valve face angle		91 deg (95-97), 45.6 deg (98+)	45.5 deg
Valve seat angle		90 deg (95-97), 44.6 deg (98+)	44.75 deg
Valve seat width			0.043-0.055 intake 0.055-0.066 exhaust
Valve seat max runout			0.001
Cylinder block bore diam		3.3386-3.3390 (class 1), 3.3390-3.3394 (class 2), 3.3394-3.3398 (class 3)	3.2440-3.2445 (class 1), 3.2445-3.2449 (calss 2), 3.2449-3.2452 (class 3)
Cylinder block max out-of-round			0.0008
Cylinder block max out-of-taper			0.0002
Piston diameter		3.3374-3.3378 (class 1), 3.3378-3382 (class 2), 3.3382-3.3386 (class 3)	3.2436-3.244 (class 1), 3.2440-3.2452 (class 2), 3.2444-3.2452 (class3)
Piston to bore clearance		0.0008-0.0016	0.0005-0.0009
Piston ring 1 end gap		0.010-0.020 (95-97), 0.012-0.020 (98), 0.010-0.011 (99+)	0.004-0.010
Piston ring 2 end gap		0.012-0.020 (95-97), 0.012-0.020 (98), 0.010-0.011 (99+)	0.011-0.016
Piston ring oil end gap		0.016-0.055 (98), 0.015-0.066 (99+)	0.006-0.025
Piston ring 1 side clearance			0.0015-0.0029 (standard), 0.0034 (service limit)
Piston ring 2 side clearance			0.0015-0.0033
Piston ring oil side clearance			Snug fit
Piston pin diam		0.8119-0.8120 (white color code marked A), 0.8120-0.8121 (red color code marked B), 0.8121-0.8122 (blue color code marked C)	0.8272-0.8273
Piston pin bore diam			0.8270-0.8272
Piston pin clerance		0.0004-0.0006	0.0001-0.00003
Crank max out-of-round		0.0003	0.0006
Crank max taper		0.0003	0.0004
Crank main bearing oil clearance		0.0004-0.0023	0.0010-0.0018 (desired), 0.0019 (service limit)
Crank main bearing undersizes		0.0008-0.010
Crank main bearing journal diam		2.2827-2.2835	2.479-2.480
Crank endplay		0.003-0.012	0.004-0.009
Connecting rod journal diam		1.8460-1.8468 (95-98), 1.7279-1.7287 (99+)	1.967-1.968
Connecting rod bore diameter		0.8106-0.8114 (pin)	2.0872-2.0879 (crank), 0.827-0.828 (pin)
Connecting rod max out-of-round		0.0003	0.0006
Connecting rod max out-of-taper		0.0003	0.0004
Connecting rod bearing oil clearance		0.0006-0.0027	0.001-0.0025
Connecting rod bearing undersizes		0.0008-0.010
Connecting rod length center to center			5.435-5.448
Connecting rod to crank side clearance			0.0039-0.012 (standard), 0.014 (service limit)
Connecting rod to piston side clearance			0.0001-0.0007 (standard), 0.013 (service limit)