plumb

so i know the washers on the tensioner bolt are important but how important are they? ive had mine in one place for the past couple weeks so i would remember to put them back on when i was installing the belt and of course when i put it on i forgot and when i went to grab them to put them on they were gone? what would happen with out them in place?

first of all im in the procces of replaceing head gaskets and im doing my timeing belt now. engine is out of car. so i saw the vice grip tip did it and stopped reading after i saw the pic and being the genius i am i decided to take it off once i took the tensioner off. and it sliiped like a 1/4 inch. came back on here saw that a guy said he just grabbed it and twisted it back. so i tried it. and it spun some more, alot more. kinda lost right now got any tips i could use or am i fine since i would think the would have to unwind anyway since i have to take cams out to remove heads?