I'm assembling my engine and when I checked the endplay on the cam it had none. So I tried turning the cam and it definately was rubbing somewhere. Pulled the thrust plate off and noticed the end of the cam seemed to be out of the block a very slight amount. I pulled the cam out and saw the it had been rubbing hard on the cam plug in the block, hard enough to make some filings. I looked closely at the plug and saw that it was not in true, that is the one side was down into the block a little and the other was just a little out of the block which went along with the wear I saw on the inside of the plug. I had a shop do the block. Is there a step in the block to stop the plug from going in any further? If so why am I rubbing on the plug and the thrust plate so hard? I really could use some help on this.

 

I just realized the open side of the plug is facing out. Isn't it supposed to be in?

 

no it is in right how did you check the camshaft end play there is supposed to be .009 in, of end play

 

According to the pictures I've looked at an Christ's book all the other core plugs have the cupped side facing out but the cam plug should be opposite of them. I put a dial indicator on the end of the cam bolt and the gear with everything torqued and it had no give. As I said it was grinding on the the rear plug and the thrust plate.

 

Yeah, that plug should be opposite of all the others.

 

Yep open side in. There is no lip just the cam bearing behind it so take care installing it the correct way. The cam plug will just bottom out against the cam bearing inside the block. I use a little sealer on the outer edge of the back of the plug. Use a large socket to tap old plug out and new plug in. G.

 

If there is no lip how are you ever going to get the proper endplay on the cam. I just found a picture of it in Steve Christ's book and it definately bottoms out in the bore. I still don't know what the end of the cam rides against in the back.

 

The cam plug has nothing to do with the endplay. It should not touch at all - ever. Endplay is established by the thrust plate. The thrust plate is sandwiched between the cam and the timing gear. The gap between them establishes the endplay.

 

Understood, thanks I don't have it hear to look at, it's back at the shop to get the plug in the right way.

 

So, the plug was in backwards or what?

 

Yeah The guy at the shop had no clue. Fortunately I got the rotating assy done elsewhere.

 

That's a C#&vy thing... Your plug in the block should create a smooth face with the back of the block, the other brand has the smooth side in to the cam.

--Mike

 

All the plug does is it keeps oil from coming out your motor. If the cam ever hits it, it will very likely dislodge the plug.

 

Yes the plug should go in flush with the rear of the block. In FE's i have seen them both ways. The cam plate and the timing gear make the end play ang there are spacers that will go between the plate and the gear.