The timing belt on my '99 Contour just broke. I had it replaced along with the tensioner by a Ford dealer....but now the engine falters under moderate to hard acceleration. Prior to the timing belt breaking, the car had absolutely no issues with the engine faltering.

Low oil level Cam timing improperly set Continuous oil flow to the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) piston chamber VCT solenoid valve stuck open Camshaft advance mechanism binding (VCT unit).

Read more: https://www.autocodes.com/p1381_ford.html
probably the cam sensor, sometimes the sensor can get damaged or the plug gets dislodged when the timing belt is done. .

Try and Googl that ,and search youtube.Fastes way I find things out

You need to 'unload' the pressure on he old tensioner by rotating it away from the center of the engine to releve the tension on the old belt-once you remove the old belt, the tensioner is bolted to the front of the engine, you remove the tensioner and bolt up the new one-then, thread the new belt (diagram is under the hood on a sticker) to all pulleys excert the very top one, and use a 1/2 drive rachett on the 1/2 inch square on the tensioner arm to move the tenisoner torward the center of the engine-this will give you enough slack to install the belt on the last remaining pulley.

Open the hood and locate the belt tensioner. The serpentine belt drive is located on the front of the engine on the passenger side of the engine compartment. The spring-loaded belt tensioner on the 1998 Contour is located slightly to the left of and below the water pump pulley
Release the tension on the belt using the serpentine belt removal tool. On vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter V-6 engine, snap the 3/8 inch-drive adapter onto the removal tool. Slip the tool into the square, 3/8-inch hole in the end of the tensioner arm. Rotate the tensioner clockwise to release the tension. While holding the tensioner back, remove the belt from one of the pulleys. Release the tensioner, remove the belt from the remaining pulleys and pull it out of the engine compartment
Snap a13 mm socket adapter into the belt removal tool for the 2.0 liter, four cylinder Contour. Place the tool onto the 13 mm bolt that holds the tensioner pulley to the tensioner arm and rotate the tensioner clockwise. While hold the tensioner back, slip the belt off one of the pulleys. Release the tensioner, slip the belt from the remaining pulleys then remove it from the engine compartment
Route the new belt around the pulleys, according to the belt routing guide. The belt routing guide on the 1998 Contour is located on a decal on the left (passenger side) strut tower. If this decal is missing, or unreadable, the belt routing guide can also be found in your service manual. Rotate the tensioner pulley one more turn to allow the new belt to slip under the tensioner pulley.
Check the belt for proper alignment on the pulleys. It should lay flat on the pulley and not overhang the edges. If the belt must be repositioned, release the tensioner and reposition as needed.

Not at all. Your serpentine belt is in the same area as the timing belt, however is NOT related to the function of your timing belt.

If you have a 4 cylinder 2.0, then you have little to worry. Most of the contour 4 cylinder engines are supposed to be "non-interference"... which basically means that if the timing belt breaks, then there is not much risk of your contour's engine to have internal damage!

So... Replace the timing belt, and you should be back on the road within 1 day.

Engine Timing Belt/Chain Illustration
Figure 1
Before installing tool. If the belt broke turn the engine so the #1 piston is half way up. This way you will not bend the valves while turning cams. If you feel that the cams are very hard to turn or stops turning then turn crank by hand to lower piston away from valve. Then turn the cams clockwise or counter clockwise slow one at a time too the proper slot position for the tool to fit. Once the cam marks are lined up bring the #1 piston to its TDC.

CAUTION The 2.0L engine is an interference motor. Extending thereplacement interval could lead to the belt breaking and severe andcostly engine damage. Care must be taken if rotating the crankshaft orcamshafts with the belt off, if resistance is felt, do not force themto turn.

　
　
Timing Belt
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1.8L Engine
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the timing belt covers.
Rotate the crankshaft and align the timing marks located on the camshaft pulleys and the seal plate.
Remove the crankshaft pulley and hub.
If the timing belt is to be reused, mark an arrow on the belt to indicate its rotational direction to enable correct re-installation.
Loosen the timing belt tensioner lockbolt and remove the timing belt.
To install:
Temporarily secure the timing belt tensioner in the far left position with the spring fully extended, then tighten the lockbolt.
Make sure the timing marks on the timing belt pulley (crankshaft sprocket) and the engine block (oil pump housing) are aligned.
Make sure the timing marks on the camshaft pulleys and the seal plate are aligned.
Install the timing belt.
Loosen the tensioner lockbolt. Using a suitable prying tool, position the timing belt tensioner so the timing belt is taut, then tighten the tensioner lockbolt.
Turn the crankshaft two turns clockwise and align the timing belt pulley mark with the mark on the engine block.
Fig. 1: Timing marks are located on the camshaft pulleys as shown — 1.8L engines


　
Fig. 2: Make sure that the crankshaft sprocket (timing belt pulley) and oil pump timing marks are aligned — 1.8L engines


　
Fig. 3: Align the timing belt pulley mark with the tension set mark, at approximately the 10 o'clock position — 1.8L engines


　
Fig. 4: Check the timing belt deflection at the location shown — 1.8L engines

Simple, look into the belt tension pulley there you will see a square notch. Invest in a breaker bar,since this is a consumable item you may want to replace the belt every so often. The space is limited but in can be done. Stick the socket end on the square notch a push down. You will notice the whole belt loosen.At the same time pull the belt away from any other pully to release entire belt. Reverse process to install,which is what you need since yours already took a ****.
p.s You can pick up a breaker bar relatively cheap ($10-15). I broke a belt tensioner by not using the right tool.

you have missed your timing marks you need to check your marks\