I had the same question for a 96 contour. found the answer by calling my local Ford dealer parts dept and asking them if it was an interference or non interference engine.
1---2---3---4 front of Contour
yes
No. The chipped ignition key did not start until the 1998 model year and was only on the 6 cylinder Contour and Mystique. (I've got a '97 6 cylinder Contour that seems to have a chip in the key.)
1-----2-----3 4-----5-----6 front of Ford Contour
First of is it a 4 or V6???
You don't
I was looking at fordparts.com and for the 1995 Ford Contour 2.0 liter four cylinder it shows ( Motorcraft RT-1150 , a 190 * F thermostat )
It either has the ( 4 cylinder that is 2.0 liters ) or the ( 6 cylinder which is 2.5 liters )
at the top of each wheel cylinder
The 2.0 L - DOHC - 4 cylinder engine in a 2000 Ford Contour has a timing belt
the four cylinder ford contour.
In a 1999 Ford Contour : The 2.0 litre four cylinder engine has ( 2 cam shafts on top of the cylinder head ) The 2.5 litre V6 engine has ( 2 camshafts on top of each cylinder head so there are 4 camshafts )