Thanks for the additional insight, guys.
WICruiser, I'll be checking the endplay with a dial indicator to see what the endplay is in the crank.
Jon, I understand what you're saying with the clearance for the thrust plate between the bearing journal and gear when pressing the gear onto the camshaft.
My issue right now is the crankshaft shoulder where the crank gear presses against is deeper in the block than the cam plate when running a straight edge accross the two surfaces. With a feeler guage, it's about .015" with no gaskets between the cam thrust plate and the front engine mounting plate.
I applied a thin coat of gasket sealer to each side of the gasket between the front of the block and the front mounting plate. i can't believe that would "thicken" the gasket but, if everyting else checks out, I might pull it apart and put the gasket in dry.
Last edited by Phak1; 05/10/2026 11:51 AM. Reason: Typo
