I need to change the Timing Belt on my 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 ZTEC
engine 2.0L 4 cyclinder.  The Book says I need a special tool to
complete this job correctly.  The tool I'm looking for is called
"Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg" part # T97P-6000-A.  The Ford Dealership
won't sell me the tool.  The local car parts stores can't get the
tool.  The Snap-on and Mac Tools guy won't return my phone calls. 
Sears doesn't have it and won't do special orders.  Where can I get
this tool by March 15th, 2003?

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Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 10 Mar 2003 02:14 PST

Hello Maxmaxwell,

I made a thorough search regarding your inquiry and found out that
this is a difficult request. I even sifted through a lot of links
including eBay.com and Half.eBay.com but found nothing that perfectly
fits your requirement and so, I did not post this as an answer. I just
don't like my search to go to waste and the info may be able to help
you that's why I'm putting it here. But in case you find the info to
be helpful and accept this as an answer, please post your reply and I
will be notified. Here are the details of my search.

While making a cursory search on the part number I found the source
where you got the instructrion regarding this particular part:

Google Cache - www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton%2520Manuals
Timing Belt Removal and Installation
"A camshaft alignment timing tool (No. T94P-6256-CH or equivalent) and
a crankshaft Top Dead Center (TDC) timing peg tool (No. T97P-6000-A or
equivalent) are required for this procedure."
http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:t9QE4nl_DM0C:www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton%2520Manuals/9098m/9098CH03_17.html+%22Crankshaft+TDC+Timing+Peg%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

"No. T97P-6000-A or equivalent" - The only link that exactly matches
your inquiry is this one:

My ToolChest - "Your 1 stop shop for quality tools and supplies!"
Catalog Price List - Manufacturers special price list - Open to the
public
OTC Tools and Equipment 303-574 - Crank shaft TDC Timing Peg
http://www.mytoolchest.com/catalog/datacategorylist_365.html

Unfortunately, there is no picture or additional info for the item so
I can't be sure if that it is compatible with your Ford engine. You
can contact the company for additional info regarding this.

Contact Info:
Corporate Offices: 7061 Hayvenhurst Ave. 2nd Floor
Van Nuys, CA 91325
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 16911 Encino, CA 91416
Email: Service@ToolParadise.com
Phone: 800-820-1765

Another site I found is this one:

F. F. Franklin & Co Ltd.
Engine Timing Tools
http://www.cardnet.co.uk/franklin/Online_Catalogue_ENGINE_TIMING_TOOLS_25.html

You might find the tool/s you need on this page. Again, there are no
other details so I cant be sure. Here's their contact info:
Mailing Address: F. F. Franklin & Co. Ltd., Platt Street, Sheffield,
S3 8BQ.
Email: sales@franklin-tools.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 114-272-1429
Fax: +44 (0) 114-272-7030

Probonopublico's comment is very much a valid point to consider. In
case you can't find the tool anywhere, the article on the link below
could be of help:

TurboFord.org - Ford Timing Belt Change
"Now it's time to loosen the timing belt. Ford has a special tool to
do it, but it's not too tough to do with a prybar or breaker bar. You
may want to go ahead and loosen the cam pulley bolt at this point,
because it's easier to do when the belt is holding the cam in place.
Anyway, what you do is loosen the two bolts that hold the belt
tensioner in place, but don't remove them. Once they're loose and the
tensioner is free to move, you pry the tensioner clockwise until the
belt is as loose as possible, and then retighten the bolt the holds
the tensioner in position. This leaves the belt loose, and ready to
remove."
http://www.turboford.org/faq/tim_belt.htm


Search strategy:

"crank shaft tdc timing peg"
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=%22crank+shaft+tdc+timing+peg%22&btnG=Google+Search

T97P-6000-A
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=T97P-6000-A&btnG=Google+Search

ford crankshaft tdc timing tool
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=ford+crankshaft+tdc+timing+tool

"timing set" ford escort
://www.google.com/search?q=%22timing+set%22+ford+escort&cat=&hl=en

Good luck on your search!

Regards,
-Feilong

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Clarification of Question by maxmaxwell-ga on 11 Mar 2003 06:52 PST

The Trouble is This:  When changing the Timing Belt it is best to not
lose the timing.  The Timing Peg will keep the engine in time while I
change the Timing Belt.  If something goes wrong, and the Timing is
lost, the Camshaft Alignment Tool is used to re-acquire the Timing.  I
was able to purchase the Camshaft Alignment Tool from a local store in
Daly City, but this store did not have the Timing Peg.  The Dealership
wants $600.00 and the Local shops won't go less than $450.00 to change
the belt.  I have an Uncle that can change the belt but will not do so
unless I can come up with the special tools and parts.  I have the
Camshaft Alignment Tool, The Belt, The Valve Cover Gasket, The Strap
Wrench and other hand tools but not the Timing peg.  The source I am
using for this repair is Helm's 1998 Ford Escort Coupe Shop Manual
(the same one the delaerships use).  Finding TDC is not yet a problem
but could become one.  For this it appears I am going to need the
Timing Peg as well.

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Clarification of Question by maxmaxwell-ga on 12 Mar 2003 17:22 PST

Using the Connections provided I was able to acqurie the phone number
of the people who supply Ford with the Timing Peg.  The First contact
gave me the number to SPX Service Solutions:

Spx Service Solutions
1-800-535-5053
655 Esinhower Drive 
Owatonna MN 55060

The Sales Person I talked to (Melissa) knew exactly what I needed and
was very helpful in making sure I got the part in time (it arrived
today).  There was a little of trouble with UPS delievering but SPX
straightened everything out first time I called and the package
arrived on schedule.  The Clarity Info from Feilong-ga was
instrumental in acquiring the tool.  I will accept Feilong-ga's
response as the anwser.

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Clarification of Question by maxmaxwell-ga on 12 Mar 2003 17:25 PST

OH, The tool cost me 14 bucks and shipping was about 10 bucks.

Specialised automotive tools are not generally available for obvious
reasons.

Even those in the trade have problems getting tools for makes where
they're not authorised dealers.

Are you just trying to find Top Dead Center?