Some replies I thought were great - some not so great. I also asked around mates in the trade who gave me some frankly shocking replies!
The point is I know there are different methods to do this but I did'nt want to damage the belt and shorten its life - it seems some people dont care about this as long as the belt goes on!
I was aware of the laser tool thanks Peter but I was too tight to buy it as I knew I had done it before using my own 'home made device' and these cars for me seem to be getting less and less now.
David - I so wish I had read your solution of undoing the alternator before I had sorted it, but even that cant possibly be quicker than using the correct tool.
In the end I borrowed a mates 'genuine' Ford tool.
My long term solution solution was to buy the genuine Ford belt kit (2 belts and a tool like the Laser one included in the box), but instead of the £52 plus VAT Ford wanted, a company on E Bay are selling them 1/2 price for £26 plus VAT.
Next one that comes in gets the genuine belt kit fitted at Ford retail and I get the tool for free.
This is a business after all. Aside fom all that, the Ford belts look so much better than the crappy Dayco ones.
Knowing my luck I'll probably never see another one of these and the belts will go into the cupboard along side my unused stock of Cortina void bushes!
Cheers
Colin
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