Ok, I was off line for a couple days for training at my real job.
Regarding the fixed tensioners (Zat or homemade units), these things flat out work. The belt will not skip regardless of which direction you rotate the engine. As probably the only person on this site that has intentionally run a fixed tensioner and left a timing belt on until it failed (remember we have non interference pistons here) I can say it doesn't seem to have any adverse effects on belt life. The belt lasted about 60,000 miles.
Greg Gordon,
hiperformancestore