Mananged to bend all 16 valves today on a focus.

[Rmachines]

The damage


The cause

[justalex81]

i'm sorry but how can you not notice the difference in length between the 2 bolts?

when replacing parts i always check that the new part is exactly the same as the old one. if it's different then i'd be asking why and proceeding with a large amount of caution.

Also why didn't you crank the engine by hand after you'd removed the pulley and put it back with the new bolt?

I think you are as much to blame as the company that supplied the parts.

[Rmachines]

Because the kit came with a upgraded tensioner due to issues they had previously, and in the past ( i do a lot of cam belts) I have had several with different bolts due to known issues with the original parts, so i assumed, knowing it was the correct kit, that it was a larger bolt for a reason.  I mean, gates cam belt kits are good, they do provided revised parts unlike some,  the tensioner was totally different to the one i took off the car (original ford part) i did call the supplier about it and he confirmed the parts were upgraded due to a "known issue  so I did notice it.    I did turn it by hand, it was all setup with the locking kit as there are no marks, turned by hand fine, when the engine started, it slipped around, as it was pinched but not  quite enough.