A while ago I bought a new timing chain damper for my 87 V6 because the original one had a cracked off corner. I decided I might as well replace it while I had the engine out and was going to replace the gears and chain anyways. I bought a new timing chain damper from Carquest that covered all the 2.8's except for VIN W. I made sure that the one I had was to fit VIN 9.

So, I finally got off my butt and decided to put on the new chain, gears, and damper. Before taking off the old gears and chain, I decided to check out new damper and install it then. By the way, I had unfortunatly thrown away my old damper. Anyways, I put it on there and bolt it down, and Im looking at it in disbelief. The cam gear is dragging on the top of the damper! If I turn the engine by hand, I can either get a .003 feeler gauge inbetween one of the teeth or the tooth is actually touching the damper and is dragging along. Also, the chain (the old one) is dragging along the side of the damper. I do not remember it dragging on the old one.

I go back to Carquest and ask them to look up the part again, and I show them the GM part number given for the 86 V6 (I only have an 84-86 22P), and they say it goes right to the one I have in my hand.

So, here's my options: Get the GM part number for the 87 V6, if it is actually different, or grind away the top of the damper I already have to clear the cam gear. I really want the right one in there, and I don't think that a part like that should have to modified. Does somebody know off hand a part number for the 87 V6 chain damper? Please post it if you do, I will compare it to the one I have for the 86 one.

Or am I missing something pretty important here? I figured that the part should be a direct bolt on bolt off...but this is the first time I have messed with something like it.

Also, lastly, the original damper seemed to be made of plastic. This new one is cast metal with a thin rubber coating along the outside of it, where the chain would touch it and along the top edge where the cam gear is dragging.

Thanks!

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'87 Coupe 5spd. - Soon to be V6, engine build in progress!
AIM:FieroJoe87

So far as the old chain dragging on one side is normal. Even if it didn't touch the one you removed as the chain wore it down to fit.

The cam gear rubbing, is it just over flashing from the coating or is it the metal material of the chain 'guide'?
If it's the material, trim it down. If it's metal, on the back of the guide the holes shoult have been nippled to fir the block. Are you able to loosen it up and see if you can adjust it down to clear?

I have used guides from Car Quest with no problems. I thought that I had one in the garage, but was unable to locate it just now.

As I recall the factory ones were plastic, and get brittle with age and shatter or get worn down to nothing.

Thanks for the reply. It is good to hear that you have used these dampers before without troubles. I will try and remove some of the rubber coating (almost like that plasti-dip stuff) and see how the clearances are after that. One of the holes (topmost, I think) is nippled out to fit the block only one way, but I can't remember if I could move it down any. I will try it again later and post findings afterwards.