URGENT: TE449 Camshaft spacer/bushing migration

so "if" you can get it on the centerline, and "if" you can deform a washer symmetrically (with a hex nut? not a ball or cone?) , and by adding 3oz to the cam, which somewhere you've seen not vibrate, and "hopefully" not loosen... what do you get?? oil on the lobes- which you seem to be getting with that thing floating. so that would be way overkill and insanely hard. and in the end, your modification would probably work lose. you're trying to retain a plug for an oil passage (i think). way too much engineering for a very simple problem. hell, you could stick a couple of welsh plugs in each end of the cam. it would take more oil, true; but....

why do you think the exhaust cam is solid? does it not have oil passages? if you can't see any holes on the circle of the lobes then maybe it is solid.... but I'm a bit incredulous. how are the the lobes and (especially) the plain bearing surface lubricated? I'll keep an open mind but gimme some theories or pictures even.

good luck.

Thanks for your reply.

Okay. This is what I wanted/needed, as I don't have enough experience with this to see it from multiple angles. I was under the impression that it was critical to have this insert remain in place, but, obviously, not. I have a hard time believing that it was knocked loose by my removing the valve cover. The cam lobe doesn't appear excessively worn, due to lack of oil.

It's funny you should comment about the exhaust cam, because the shop manual illustration and parts PDF both show the cams in the same position as for valve clearance inspection, so I couldn't see other points where there might be oil holes. I didn't think the exhaust cam might lack lube holes.

All right. No retaining bolt. I will monitor it with the current Loctite 243, and try the 640 later, if necessary.

Thanks for your perspective, help, and the well-wishes.