Chain fell off of the intermediate sprocket

[Cipotifoso]

I got the sprocket alignment done and as I proceeded to the cam timing step I realized the left chain has come off of the intermediate shaft sprocket. Looking down the opening, I see that it is now sitting next to the sprocket towards the flywheel.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? Is there a trick to getting it back onto the sprocket? The engine is tilted back in the engine stand, so gravity is not my friend.

Thanks,
Dave

[afterburn 549]

Were you cranking the engine backwards? thats a no no....were you using some devise to hold the chain real tight?

[Flat6pac]

Wait until the time you figure you only have one tooth on it. The left side, you can reach the chain if you can go through the oil drain cover, reach forward and you can touch the chain.
Bruce

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Cipotifoso

I got the sprocket alignment done and as I proceeded to the cam timing step I realized the left chain has come off of the intermediate shaft sprocket. Looking down the opening, I see that it is now sitting next to the sprocket towards the flywheel.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? Is there a trick to getting it back onto the sprocket? The engine is tilted back in the engine stand, so gravity is not my friend.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

I went to the garage to inspect the engine that I had the chain housing installed lately and had a good look inside. If I were in your shoes, I would remove the following in order to put back the chain over the intermediate sprocket:
1). Removed the cam sprocket to increase the chain movement.
2). Remove the plastic chain ramps.

Tilt the engine to get the timing chain over the intermediate sprocket. Once the chain sits properly on the sprocket, you're back to business. Keep us posted.

Tony

[Cipotifoso]

Bruce, Tony - Thanks for your replies. I'll try a combination of your methods to see if I can get it back on the sprocket. I wasn't aware that this could happen, so I wasn't so diligent about keeping the chains tight as I rotated the engine from side to side.

Dave

[Cipotifoso]

Success!!

I got the left chain re-railed, but it took gravity to do the trick. I wanted to avoid taking off the chain ramps or chain housing as the project would be delayed waiting for the gaskets & aluminum washers to come in, so I figured I would try to re-rail the chain in progressive states of dis-assembly. An initial attempt where I had my wife turn the crank where I attempted to re-rail the chain through the sump like a bicycle derailleur did not work. This morning, however; I hooked up the stand to an engine hoist so that I would have a gravity assist. Working through the sump cover, I got it re-railed!



That was a scare which I thought would set back this project two weeks. I didn't know this could be a problem as I saw no mention of anyone else encountering it. A renewed search using the keywords "+cam +sprocket +intermediate" did turn up a thread "Broke oil seal ring, timing chain came loose" where someone else DID have the same problem with a similar solution suggested by John Walker. But what worked for me was tilting the engine left side up AND forward. Thanks to all who helped. Now it's on to time the cams!

Dave

[burgermeister]

I had the same thing happen to me. Took me 3 hours of turning the engine around and fishing with bent copper wire bits to get it back on. PITA!

[mgatepi]

I had the same issue.....after several hours and vodkas I learned that removing the plastic chain ramps and using a magnetic pick up tool, I attached the bottom edge of the chain and gently lowered onto the gear. Steady hands and patience......and vodka works!

mg