Check your Haynes or Chilton manual for bolt locations if you have one. Also, when I did mine I used VFAQs to help with the whole timing belt removal and install as well. The bolt locations are near the bottom of the page.

Ohh yea, you'll need to remove the timing belt to replace the CPS too. Read and reread the whole process if you haven't done it before. And DO NOT forget to double check all bolts are torqued down when reinstalling everything. It's more involved than you'd think for first timers. Good luck!

There is no way to do it without removing the timing belt? Damn, I don't own a Chiltons or Haynes... Or a torque wrench .

You don't have to take the belt off, just turn the engine so that the trigger plate isn't between the slot in the sensor, unbolt the sensor and remove. Then install the new one. Make sure that the wires aren't able to rub on the belt, and use a little loctite on the bolts.

As for getting the timing cover off you also need to remove the water pump pulleys. If you haven't already you need to remove the motor mount also. To get the middle section of the cover off without breaking it you will need to remove the studs that hold the mount to the mount bracket.

After the mount, water pump pulleys, ac tensioner, belts, and crank pulley are off than you will just need to remove the bolts that hold the timing cover on and it will come right off. There will be 9 bolts on the bottom cover, look at this pic for reference.

I did it in under 1.5 hours (first time) without removing the belt. It'll wiggle out if you're careful. Put the trigger plate back on the right way if you have to remove it.

I forget its been so many years.

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll get her fixed up tomorrow!

bryanwheat said:

You don't have to take the belt off, just turn the engine so that the trigger plate isn't between the slot in the sensor, unbolt the sensor and remove. Than install the new one. Make sure that the wires aren't able to rub on the belt, and use a little loctite on the bolts.

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boost97gst said:

I did it in under 1.5 hours(first time) without removing the belt. It'll wiggle out if you're careful. Put the trigger plate back on the right way if you ahve to remove it, i forget its been so many years.

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That's even better then. I remember it being really close when I changed my balance belt and CPS. So I just assumed it had to come off. Thanks for the correction

DEFYANT said:

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll get her fixed up tomorrow!

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Like Bryan said, make sure the new one is well away from the timing belt. I had to silicone mine back away because it was warped the wrong way from packaging and wouldn't sit flat. Kept bumping out into the timing belt. Depending on the last time your timing and balance belts were changed, this might be a good time to replace them while you already have all the belts and pulleys off. Just a thought. Good luck!