Ford Contour specifications

Last Updated on May 12, 2024 by Mutiara

Ford Contour specifications

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 RefrigerantR134a
AC Refrigent capacity24.5-27.5 oz
Brake fluidDOT 3
Engine oil viscosity5W-30
Engine oil capacity (w/ filter change)4.5 qt5.8 qt, 6.0-6.5 (safer recommendation)
Engine coolant50/50 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 fluidMercon automatic trans fluid
Trans auto & manual fluidMercon 5 automatic trans fluid
Trans auto capacity dry fill9.0 qt (95-97), 7.6 qt (98+)10.3 qt
Trans auto capacity drain & refill4 qt to start, then add as necessary
Trans manual capacity5.5 pt
Trans manual clutch fluidDot-3 brake fluid
Cooling system
Radiator cap opening pressure16 psi
Recovery tank filler cap pressure13-18 psi
Pressure test20 psi for 10 sec
ThermostatOpens 189-194, fully open 216 F
Radiator fan activationstage1: 100 deg C stage2: 103 deg C
Radiator fan deactivationstage1: 93 deg C stage2: 100 deg C
Temperature sensor68 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 filterMotorcraft FG-800A
Fuel pressure idle, regulator hose connected27.5-33.5 psi (fpr vacuum connected), 36-42 psi (fpr vacuum disconnected)
Fuel system hold pressure26 psi
Fuel injector resistance13.7-15.2 ohms
Idle control valve resistance6-14 ohms
Idle-increase solenoid valve resistance50-120 ohms
Ignition & electrical
Firing order1-3-4-21-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder & coil terminal orderContour i4 cylinder order.pngContour v6 cylinder order.png
Spark plugsMotorcraft AYSF22FM (95-97), Motorcraft AZFS32FE (98+), Autolite XP5364 (95+)Motorcraft AGFS32FM, Autolite XP104
Gap0.0500.054
Battery rating540-650 CCA
Ignition timing10 ± 2 deg
Ignition coil output min37.0 kilovolts
Ignition coil primary resistance0.50 ± 0.05 ohms
Alternator output130 amps
Alternator brush length min7/32
Alternator reg voltage at 2000 rpm13.0-15.0 v
Crank position sensor resistance200-450 ohms
Cam position sensor resistance200-900 ohms
Intake air temp sensor ±15%68 deg F 37.30 kOhms, 194 deg F 3.84 kOhms
Throttle position sensor400-6000 ohms
Power steering pressure switchcontacts open inifite resistance 456-460 psi, contacts closed 0-2.5 ohms 196-348 psi
Charcoal canister purge solenoid valve50-120 ohms
Pulse-air solenoid valve50-120 ohms
Manual trans MTX-75
Gear ratio 1st3.42:1
Gear ratio 2nd2.14:1
Gear ratio 3rd1.45:1
Gear ratio 4th1.03:1
Gear ratio 5th0.77:1
Gear ratio reverse3.42:1
Gear ratio final drive3.84:14.06:1
Pressure plate runout max0.028 in
Disc lining thickness min (to rivet heads)1/32
Flywheel runout max0.008
Engine information
Displacement2.0 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 rotationClockwise (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
FrontVentilated disc, single-piston floating caliper
Front disc thickness0.95 (new), 0.87 (min)
Front disc run-out max0.006
Front disc thickness variation max.0006
Frong hub face runout max.002
Rear drumsLeading and trailing shoes, automatic adjusters
Rear drum diameter8, 9.0 (new), 9.04 (max)
Rear discVented disc, single-piston floating caliper
Rear disc thickness0.787 (new), 0.71 (min)
Rear disc run-out max0.006
Rear disc thickness variation max0.0006
Rear hub run-out max0.002
Torque specifications
Tensioner drivebelt mounting bolt35 ft-lbs15-22 ft-lbs
Spark plugs108-156 in-lbs (95-97), 132 in-lbs (98+)84-180 in-lbs (95-97), 144 in-lbs (98+)
Engine oil drain plug15-21 ft-lbs
Wheel lug nuts95 ft-lbs
Valve cover bolts53-71 in-lbs (95-97), 62 in-lbs (98+)72-108 in-lbs
Timing belt idler pulley bolts47-53 ft-lbs (95-97), 38 ft-lbs (98+)
Camshaft cap boltsstage1: 90 in-lbs stage2: 180 in-lbs (95-97), 132 in-lbs (98+)72-108 in-lbs
Cam rear seal retinaer72-108 in-lbs
Cylinder head boltsstage1: 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 fasteners27-44 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 block78-96 in-lbs
Timing belt tensioner bolt26-30 ft-lbs (95-97), 18 ft-lbs (98+)
Timing belt tensioner back plate locating peg72-96 in-lbs (95-97)
Timing belt tensioner spring retaining pin71-97 in-lbs (95-97)
Timing belt sprocket to camshaft bolts47-53 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 pulley35 ft-lbs (95-98), 30 ft-lbs (99+)15-22 ft-lbs
Intake manifold nuts & bolts144-180 in-lbs72-108 in-lbs (upper & lower)
Intake manifold studs84 ft-lbs
Alternator output terminal80-97 in-lbs
Alternator pulley33 ft-lbs
Alternator15-22 ft-lbs (95-97), 33 ft-lbs (98+)
Alternator bracket35 ft-lbs (95-97), 48 ft-lbs (98+)
Starter through-bolts45-89 in-lbs
Starter motor mount bracket18 ft-lbs bolts, 150 in-lbs nuts
Starter motor mount15-20 ft-lbs
Starter solenoid45-89 in-lbs
Cylinder head support35 ft-lbs (front & rear)
Front engine lifting eye bolt120-156 in-lbs (left hand), 29-40 ft-lbs (right hand)
Exhaust manifold heat shield60 in-lbs (cyl head), 84 in-lbs (dip stick), 17 ft-lbs (coolant pipe to manifold)
Exhaust manifold nuts132 in-lbs13-16 ft-lbs
Crank pulley81-89 ft-lbsstage1: 89 ft-lbs stage2: loosen one turn stage3: 35-39 ft-lbs stage4: rotate 90 deg
Oil pump72-96 in-lbs72-108 in-lbs
Oil pickup71-97 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 adapter13-18 ft-lbs25 ft-lbs
Oil pressure sensor adapter15-22 ft-lbs
Oil pan baffle15-22 ft-lbs (95-98), stage1: 44 in-lbs stage2: Tighten 45 deg (99+)
Oil pan15-18 ft-lbs (95-97), 84 in-lbs (98), 18 ft-lbs (99+)15-22 ft-lbs
Oil pan to trans25-34 ft-lbs25-34 ft-lbs
Rear main oil seal retainer156-192 in-lbs
Coolant tube to oil pan84 in-lbs
Flywheel/driveplate79-88 ft-lbs54-64 ft-lbs
Trans manual to engine30 ft-lbs
Trans manual linkage support rod41 ft-bs
Trans manual linkage clamp bolt144 in-lbs
Trans manual shift assembly rear mounting32 ft-lbs
Trans manual linkage to selector shaft17 ft-lbs
Clutch slave cylinder bleed screw61-87 in-lbs
Driveaxle support bearing bracket17-22 ft-lbs
Driveaxle hub retaining nut251 ft-lbs (95-97), 200 (98+)
Release cylinder bolts84-168 in-lbs (95-97), 88 in-lbs (98+)
Rlease cylinder hydraulic fitting124 in-lbs
Clutch master cylinder nuts88 in-lbs
Pressure plate13-18 ft-lbs (95-97), 21 ft-lbs (98+)
Trans auto selector cable bracket15-19 ft-lbs
Trans auto torque converter25-29 ft-lbs
Trans auto to engine41-50 ft-lbs (95-97), 30 ft-lbs (98+)
Trans auto oil cooler lines17 ft-lbs (95-97), 27-32 ft-lbs (98+)
Trans auto selector lever84 in-lbs
Trans auto selector lever sensor88 in-lbs
Trans auto speed sensor44 in-lbs
Trans auto drain plug19-21 ft-lbs
Trans auto cooler lines15-19 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount front35 ft-lbs (subframe)52-70 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount rear man58-62 ft-lbs (12mm trans bolts), 35 ft-lbs (10mm trans bolts), 35 ft-lbs (subframe)52-70 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount rear auto35-36 (trans), 35 ft-lbs (subframe)30-41 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount left-hand61 ft-lbs (trans)30-41 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount right-hand61-66 ft-lbs (engine), 82 ft-lbs (body)30-41 ft-lbs
Engine/trans mount centerbolts89 ft-lbs75-102 ft-lbs
Timing chain guide & tensioner15-22 ft-lbs
Cap bolts & studs main bearing63 ft-lbs
Cap bolts connecting rodsstage1: 26 ft-lbs stage2: tighten 90 degreesstage1: 17 ft-lbs stage2: 32 ft-lbs stage3: tighten 90 deg
Piston cooling oil-jet blanking plug84 in-lbs
Crank case lower to block16 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 support71-97 in-lbs
Thermostat housing78 in-lbs156 in-lbs
Coolant temperature gauge sensor62-89 in-lbs13-18 ft-lbs
Coolant temperature sensor89-120 in-lbs (95-97), 156 in-lbs (98+)120-168 in-lbs (95-97), 17 ft-lbs (98+)
Water pump156 in-lbs
Air conditioning condenser24-48 in-lbs
Air conditioning compressor15-22 ft-lbs (95-97), 65 (98+)15-22 ft-lbs
Radiator fan shroud24-28 in-lbs
Water crossover retainers71-106 in-lbs
Plenum chamber35 in-lbs
Throttle body88 in-lbs
Idle control valve88 in-lbs
Fuel injector retainer71-106 in-lbs
Fuel pressure regulator35 in-lbs66 in-lbs (95-97), 53 in-lbs (98), 60 in-lbs (99+)
Fuel rail88 in-lbs
Fuel rail couplings17-22 ft-lbs
Exhaust all30-33 ft-lbs
Crank position sensor53-108 in-lbs40-61 in-lbs
Cam position sensor156-204 in-lbs (95-97), 66 in-lbs (98+)71-106 in-lbs (95-97), 84 in-lbs (98+)
Intake air temp sensor17 ft-lbs
Oxygen sensor44 ft-lbs
EGR valve mounting62-97 in-lbs15-22 ft-lbs
EGR valve to exhaust manifold44 ft-lbs (tube nuts), 62-97 in-lbs (coil bracket)26-33 ft-lbs
Filter housing35 ft-lbs
Exhaust manifold piping sleve nuts24 ft-lbs
Throttle position sensor132-180 in-lbs (95-97), 177 in-lbs (98+)21-29 ft-lbs (95-97), 40 ft-lbs (98+)
Caliper bracket89 ft-lbs front & back
Front caliper guide bolts21 ft-lbs
Rear caliper guide bolts30 ft-lbs
Rear drum brake backing plate37 ft-lbs
Rear disc brake splash shield66 ft-lbs
Vacuum booster unit30 ft-lbs
Master cylinder17 ft-lbs
ABS hydraulic unit180 in-lbs
Wheel cylinder bolts108 in-lbs
Front subframe96 ft-lbs
Front lower arm ball joint to lower arm43 ft-lbs
Front lower arm ball joint to steering knuckle40 ft-lbs (95-97), 62 ft-lbs (98+)
Front lower arm to subframe62 ft-lbs
Front sway/stabilizer bar18 ft-lbs
Front sway/stabilizer bar link26 ft-lbs
Front suspesnion strut to knuckle62 ft-lbs
Front suspension strut upper mount nuts34 ft-lbs
Front suspension strut thrust bearing nut44 ft-lbs
Rear crossmember75-102 ft-lbs
Rear front lower arm to knuckle & crossmember52-72 ft-lbs
Rear lower arm to knucklke75-102 ft-lbs
Rear lower arm to crossmember52-72 ft-lbs
Rear sway/stabilizer bar14-19 ft-lbs
Rear sway/stabilizer bar link22-30 ft-lbs
Rear suspension strut to knuckle52-72 ft-lbs
Rear hub nut214 ft-lbs
Rear tie bar & tie bar bracket75-102 ft-lbs
Rear strut upper mount17-22 ft-lbs
Rear strut upper nut30-43 ft-lbs
Steering rack mounts101 ft-lbs
Tie-rod end to knuckle18-22 ft-lbs
Tie-rod end to locknut25-35 ft-lbs
Steering wheel33-41 ft-lbs
Flex coupling17-24 ft-lbs
Power steering pipe unions20-26 ft-lbs
Steering column to coupling168-240 in-lbs
Steering column mounts168-240 in-lbs
Steering pump mount180-252 in-lbs
Steering pump pressure line42-54 ft-lbs
Hood & trunk hinges18 ft-lbs
Trunk-lid84 in-lbs
Front seat & seat belts28 ft-lbs
Bumper84 in-lbs
Rebuild info
Cam bearing inside diameter1.062-1.063 in
Cam bearing journal diameter1.022-1.0231.060-1.061 in
Cam bearing clearance0.0008-0.00270.001-0.0064 (standard), 0.0047 (service limit)
Cam endplay0.003-0.009 (95-98), 0.0007-0.008 (99+)0.001-0.0064 in
Cam lifter diameter1.116-1.117 (95-97), 0.8740-0.8745 (98+)0.6290-0.6294
Cam lifter clearance0.0010-0.0027 (95-97), 0.0009-0.0026 (98+)0.0007-0.0027
Cam lifter collapsed gap0.19-0.43 in
Cam rocker arm ratio1.8:1
Cam lobe liftAt 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 limit0.006 overall
Cylinder head combustion chamber vol43-46 cu cm
Valve lift0.35 intake 0.31 exhaust (95-97), 0.405 both (98+)
Valve clearance at room temp0.004-0.007 (98+ intake), 0.011-0.013 (98+ exhaust)
Valve head diam1.26 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 diam0.2373-0.2379 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 clearance0.0007-0.0025 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 runout0.0014 (95-97), 0.002 (98+)0.001
Valve spring free length1.70 (95-97), 1.86 (98+)1.84
Valve spring installed height1.35 (95-97), 1.42-1.54 (98+)
Valve spring pressure opened153 lb at 1.18 in intake & exhaust
Valve spring pressure closed51 lb at 1.57 in intake & exhaust
Valve face angle91 deg (95-97), 45.6 deg (98+)45.5 deg
Valve seat angle90 deg (95-97), 44.6 deg (98+)44.75 deg
Valve seat width0.043-0.055 intake 0.055-0.066 exhaust
Valve seat max runout0.001
Cylinder block bore diam3.3386-3.3390 (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-round0.0008
Cylinder block max out-of-taper0.0002
Piston diameter3.3374-3.3378 (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 clearance0.0008-0.00160.0005-0.0009
Piston ring 1 end gap0.010-0.020 (95-97), 0.012-0.020 (98), 0.010-0.011 (99+)0.004-0.010
Piston ring 2 end gap0.012-0.020 (95-97), 0.012-0.020 (98), 0.010-0.011 (99+)0.011-0.016
Piston ring oil end gap0.016-0.055 (98), 0.015-0.066 (99+)0.006-0.025
Piston ring 1 side clearance0.0015-0.0029 (standard), 0.0034 (service limit)
Piston ring 2 side clearance0.0015-0.0033
Piston ring oil side clearanceSnug fit
Piston pin diam0.8119-0.8120 (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 diam0.8270-0.8272
Piston pin clerance0.0004-0.00060.0001-0.00003
Crank max out-of-round0.00030.0006
Crank max taper0.00030.0004
Crank main bearing oil clearance0.0004-0.00230.0010-0.0018 (desired), 0.0019 (service limit)
Crank main bearing undersizes0.0008-0.010
Crank main bearing journal diam2.2827-2.28352.479-2.480
Crank endplay0.003-0.0120.004-0.009
Connecting rod journal diam1.8460-1.8468 (95-98), 1.7279-1.7287 (99+)1.967-1.968
Connecting rod bore diameter0.8106-0.8114 (pin)2.0872-2.0879 (crank), 0.827-0.828 (pin)
Connecting rod max out-of-round0.00030.0006
Connecting rod max out-of-taper0.00030.0004
Connecting rod bearing oil clearance0.0006-0.00270.001-0.0025
Connecting rod bearing undersizes0.0008-0.010
Connecting rod length center to center5.435-5.448
Connecting rod to crank side clearance0.0039-0.012 (standard), 0.014 (service limit)
Connecting rod to piston side clearance0.0001-0.0007 (standard), 0.013 (service limit)
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