Ford Mondeo Timing

Hi all

looking for some pointers in getting the valve timing correct on a 1993 1.8 Mondeo.

I had a cam belt tensioner fail at 60k, I have fitted a new tensioner and used the method listed in the Haynes manual to set the valve timing, but no matter how many times I check and re-check the timing the car runs flat, is their any secret way to get the timing correct.

Thanks for any help

Paul