Tensioning the Cam Belt

The cam belt is the same basic approach as that of the balance belt swing arm tool. The crank/cam should first be located in the TDC position. I start by removing the distributor cap and cam gear cover. I mount the pivot fixture, with a single bolt (one of the belt cover bolts will work well here and it need only be finger-tight). One little note here, the cam gear cover is connected using  bolts and a pair of centering roll-pins. When the cover is pulled, the pins may come off in the cover or may stay on the engine. We need those pins to be on the engine. If not there, remove them from the cover and place them in the holes of the rear cam gear cover. 

Next is the blue reference card - is attached as shown above. Again, the bolts removed from the cam gear cover will work fine and need only be finger-tight.

 

Now, I'm ready to mount the swing arm. This is a little bit tricky, each of the two nylon rollers must contact the outer surface of the cam belt. I squeeze the belt together and slip the swing arm into position. It must also fit it onto the pivot pin.   I'm almost ready now to make a reading. To get the very best possible reading the crank should be rotated counter clockwise by 10 degrees (this step is not nearly so critical with the AWX as it is with the krikit or 9201).  I set my torque wrench for for 35 inch pounds, and ensure it is configured for a CCW torque measurement. 

On the reference card are 2 areas (see heavy black lines), one for tensioning new belts and one for re-tensioning used belts. I apply CCW torque using the torque wrench and when the wrench clicks, I read the swing arm's position on the index card. If the pointer is in the associated black area, the belt is tensioned to factory spec. Simple and reliable. 

Other Tools Needed

Aside from the common hand tools needed to remove the distributor cap, belt covers, etc; you will also need a small torque wrench. It must be capable of 35 inch pounds (in both directions) and probably should have a ratcheting head to allow torquing at all angles. 

Preparation

If you haven't tensioned your belts before you might look through the general procedure for how to do this job. 

Notes:

All metal parts of this tool have an iron oxide finish and are coated with a light oil. Even so, precautions should be taken to keep the tool lubricated and dry to prevent corrosion. 

The reference cards and the cam belt pivot are mounted using the bolts removed for access to the belts - no other mounting hardware is needed.

There are currently no instructions included with the tool. This online information (above) will be updated though to illustrate how to use the tool. 

The reference card is laminated.