is it possible to replace the cam gears without doing everything involved in changing the timimg belt. the belt is brand new so i don't really want to replace it again.

You might not like this answer but I think you have to "move the belt" no matter what you do in that operation...

it seems like i remember seeing somewhere where somebody just used the timing tool to take the tension off the belt, but i can't find it again and i don't remember how far you had to go to get to that point.

You can always loosen the belt, the only problem being that you may be off a few notches. That can cause VERY bad problems... Good luck, in any case.

Just make sure you dont drop the tension off the belt and cause the belt to jump a tooth on the oil pump assembly. You'd have to remove the cover to align it again and that would be a pain.

Check all the timing marks when done so you dont bend valves

[ February 07, 2002: Message edited by: Len Randall ]

I would suggest to just do it right. It may take a little longer but I have found through personal experiance that it is easier in the long run to do it right the first time!!! Less head aches,, period!!

Matt