Originally Posted by
Stu @ M Developments
Its quite a common problem guys, I have never heard a good enough reason to believe why some blocks expand more than others although I suspect that oil/coolant temperature variations between engines and previous overheating will be an issue if its ever examined carefully, but the fact is this is a known problem, we used to have them brought to us at Ford when brand new with noisy cambelt / cover interference.
Tensioning them backwards causes a seperate problem, but its a problem all the same, I suspect in this particular case that one of your cars is tensioned backwards causing the stat housing interference you mention.
Regardless: Tension the belt when fully hot using a strain gauge and pull it to teh right hand side oof specification. remember, this chap isnt in the UK, when he says cold he desnt necessarily mean its only 10Deg C. LOL
Stu, is it only cossies that suffer this problem or do other engines suffer? sounds like pottentially all engines can suffer.
i've done my cambelt on my 2l zetec an tensioned it when cold and never had any problems when cold or hot with it.