Intermediate Shaft In/Out Play

[zombezoo]

I have a low mileage engine that I’m swapping into my Van. I took it all apart to remove the balance shafts, replace the head gasket and other items while it’s out. I noticed that the intermediate shaft has some in/out play. Its spins nice and freely and does not have any up/down/left/right play but I can pull it in and out of the block about 1/16th of an inch. I can’t believe that this is normal. What do I need to replace to tighten up the play?

[zombezoo]

Nevermind, found a thread that seems to suggest that this play is normal. If someone knows otherwise please speak up now. Block is out and now is the time to fix things.

[lotashelbys]

Ryan
Check to see if there is an aftermaket gasket between the the block and the I-shaft retainer. It is supposed to be red anaeobic sealer only. Having a gasket that comes with certain gasket sets (and the gasket installed)would give it extra play.....

BTW: How did that motor look inside?

[zombezoo]

The gasket theory makes sense. I found a bunch of pieces of broken up gasket material caught in the oil pickup screen. I swapped the pickup for another one, but couldn’t think of where this gasket would be coming from. I bet the gasket broke up opening up the clearance on the shaft. How do I get it apart to check? Is the retainer bolt in or press in? What if anything should I do to correct it?

Engine otherwise looks good. Very little wear on the cam, lots of crosshatching in the bores. All the rod ends are tight on the crank, no side to side play. I have the balance shafts out, the oil feed to them plugged and now I’m working on cleaning parts and re assembling. I think it will be fine once I get things back together.

[detobias]

reviving old thread - my int. shaft has at least ** 3/8" ** in / out .. WTF ?

what exactly is 'sposed to manage the "thrust" or in/out play of the int. shaft ?

looks like I neeeed to pop the seal/shaft retainer off ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombezoo Nevermind, found a thread that seems to suggest that this play is normal. If someone knows otherwise please speak up now. Block is out and now is the time to fix things.

this thread ?
intermediate shaft play