I bought the timing belt kit from northern but didn't notice the belt tensioner. can I use the OTC universal tensioner? or can I get by without it if I lock engine down with locator pins?
If by "tensioner" you mean tension gauge, then you have to order it over the phone. they will put $700 on hold from your credit or debit card(it's an $800 tool) plus $60 for the 10 day rental.
The tensioner pulley should be included with the belt.
The gauge is something you will
NEED to do the belt change properly.
My friend used the OTC gauge and now he is planning to redo the job with the official Duetz gauge. the gauges have different scales so you won't know what to set the tension to.
the only instructions I've ever found were for using the scale on the Duetz tensioner.
You will also
NEED a decent torque wrench that can measure down to 20 ft/lbs. did you watch their video? it explains the process in great detail.
At Northern they informed me that every gauge gets an accuracy check before each rental and only gets rented 10 times before it's sold.