I am in the middle of a timing belt job on my 97 prelude (well everything is removed except for the timing belt, tensioner, and tensioner belt, waiting on parts to come in) I am trying to read up on the subject the best I can before the parts get here, but there are 2 things that have me stumped.

I am replacing the auto tensioner, tensioner belt, timing belt, cam seals, main seal, and balance shaft seal and retainer.

Attached are pics of the pages with the items I am having trouble with.

1. On the balance shaft. I do not understand the reasoning behind removing the bolt out of the maintenance hole and inserting a 6 x 100 mm bolt 2.9 inches into the hole. Exactly what does this accomplish?

2. On the auto tensioner it talks about tightening and loosening the auto tensioner bolt. What is the purpose behind doing this?

I have not been able to find these answers by searching (maybe I am searching for the wrong things) Please help.

 

The 6mm bolt is used to lock the balance shaft into place so it does not rotate.
Loosening the auto tensioner bolt locks the tensioner into place, tightening it allows it to tension the belt properly. Most people on here will tell you to replace the tensioner, or to replace it with the H23 manual unit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Giant_Bean &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 6mm bolt is used to lock the balance shaft into place so it does not rotate.
Loosening the auto tensioner bolt locks the tensioner into place, tightening it allows it to tension the belt properly. Most people on here will tell you to replace the tensioner, or to replace it with the H23 manual unit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am replacing the tensioner, but I am not getting the manual unit. I have read the posts about the manual and the auto and have decided to keep the auto.

 

does anybody know if that 6x100mm bolt is auto specific or can i just get it from home depot? how do you read that thread size?

 

it doesn't thread in it just slides into a hole in the balance shaft to put it in time and to hold it to make it easier to put the belt on. . . . hell i've done it with a flat head screwdriver. . .

 

I used a long nail.

There are also casting marks on the block that line up with a notch in the pulley.

 

I used a d16z6 valve and it fit perfect.....

 

i used a thick allen wrench.

good luck with the autotensioner.