Thanks for all the responses, as usual. Everyone seems to come out the woodwork on these questions. One day I'll have the knowledge to return the favors.
I think the situation is solved. It appears that the front end plate is responsible for forming the seal to the block and the thrust plate mounts to the end plate. This also solves that clearance issue, b/c the thickness of the end plate seems to be about the same distance that the cam was out of alignment previously. I got to looking at the Shop Manual and realized that I had yet to install the end plate and it had been set off in a corner. It's been about 1 1/2 months since I disassembled the engine for the machine shop. I am also glad that I took pictures b/f and during disassembly.
That's my advice to y'all.
