Topic: 400F cam chain tensioner damper fell out.

[jakec]

I'm rebuilding my 400 engine and I was putting the cam shaft in today. I put in the front and rear chain slippers after I got the cam shaft timed. The rear slipper which is part of the tensioner wasn't seating in the horseshoe thing at the bottom. So I was fiddling with it and then checked from the bottom thru the sump which is removed. And I can see the damper rubber has popped out and is sitting crooked and sideways. It's part #51.

Laying on the ground looking thru the sump and fiddling with the slipper I can't get the damper to go back into place in the horseshoe (engine is in frame). And I'm not sure if I can make it fall all the way out either? I think if it fell all the way out then I could use a small dab of glue and put it on the slipper in install it from the top of the engine. But right now I'm stuck.

[MauiK3]

Oh boy, I’m not a 400f guy but it seems you don’t have much choice but take it far enough apart to get it in there right. Relying on any adhesive in that environment would be iffy.

[jakec]

I had forgotten that the part actually has some metal in it (mostly rubber with metal core). So once I remembered that I went and bought a very small magnet on a stick. So it is out of the engine now. As for the super glue, it would only be for keeping the damper attached to the slipper while I lower it into place. After that it will be sandwiched in place and can't go anywhere. I am going to give it a shot now.

[jakec]

Superglue worked. All good now. After that experience I'm not sure how I got it together without issue the first time. In the future the glue method seems like a go to to me.

[Tim2005]

Good idea on the glue, I had a similar problem once & it was mostly luck and a lot of time that resolved it

[Kelly E]

Nice job getting the part out and fixing it.

[grcamna2]

Nice job getting the part out and fixing it.

Agreed 

[BenelliSEI]

Pheeeuw! Nice save.