Progress report - I made a first test shim to try with the timing cover still off just to see how hard it would be to introduce the damper (I realize the key is out - will replace the key). This is .007 brass shim stock. I formed it to a diameter slightly smaller than the crank so it wants to grab the crank. Aviation lock wire was used to pinch it tight before introducing the damper. I left a lot of extra length on the shim to feed through the middle of the damper while I experimented. As you can see in the picture the shim wants to buckle at the gap . The problem is that the damper has a 45 degree chamfer at its rear and this is too aggressive to feed over the shim. I am going to hand file a very gentle taper in the first 2.5 mm or so. I will make a new shim with no extra length. I then plan to oven heat the damper to 200 deg F or so (95 C). I have ordered a very long M20x1.5 bolt. I will use the long bolt to pull the damper over the shim and hopefully put everything in place.