tensioner tool?

[Joe.Doty at lcnetwork.com (Joe Doty)]

Oh man, one of the fun parts about owning a Volkswagen is all the cool
little tools you get to make.  I introduced this tensioner dilemma to my
pops (after attempting to buy such a tool at the FLAPS) and he made me
one in about 10 minutes.  I'm also proud of my drive flange puller.  It
seems like there was another one I made but I can't remember what.  One
day I will get bored enough to make a device to hold the flywheel still
whilst you detorque the pressure plate bolts.

Joe Doty
IT/Development
joe@lcnetwork.com 

> Hey, guys.  I got a replacement JH for my car the other day from a
friend,
> and Melissa and I will be spending all our free time until I leave
> Wednesday
> morning putting it in my car so that Melissa will have something to
drive
> to
> Cincy.
> 
> Now, either because I've only ever owned 8v's, because I'm lazy, or
more
> likely, both, I've never done a timing belt.  When pricing Potter's
> tensioners, I noticed the tensioner tool, and was wondering if this is
a
> necessary thing to have when doing timing belt/tensioner.  I don't
> specifically remember seeing it in the Bentley, but I'm at work now
and
> can't check.
> 
> I swear, someday I'll have a nice shop with all the weird little tools
I
> need!
> 
> Also, I seem to remember reading something about not being able to
access
> the passenger side mount without taking the timing belt off 1st, which
> would
> mean waiting until the new engine is in before installing the belt...
> anyone?
> 
> I'm just mentally planning the work I have ahead of me...