Re: [Classic Mustang] Cam Thrust Problem

       Last night I had the chance to speak with an experienced Ford small block engine builder and I told him about your problems. Here's the possibilities he mentioned.
       As Phil had noted, the rear cam plug could be set too far back allowing the camshaft to travel towards the back of the engine. That would pull the top timing gear against the head of the thrust plate bolts and cause the groove in the timing gear. He also said it was very important to use the original bolts in the thrust plate because there is only a hair's clearance between the timing gear and the thrust plate bolts. He said sometimes guys lose the originals and substitute regular bolts but the heads on regular bolts are too thick and will scrape the back of the timing gear.
       He also said if the thrust plate is seated correctly then the front journal of the cam has to be worn which would let the cam travel too far forward and push the fuel pump eccentric against the timing case cover. He said there was very little clearance between the eccentric and the cover. His exact words were "You wouldn't want any part of your body between the eccentric and the cover."
       Speaking for myself, I hope your problem is just worn cam journals allowing the cam to travel too much in both directions but until you measure the length of your journals against known good ones you won't know for sure. My shop manual only gives specs for their diameter, not their length. Good luck to you.


**************
Plan your next getaway with AOL Travel. Check out Today's Hot 5 Travel Deals! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212416248x1200771803/aol?redir=http://travel.aol.com/discount-travel?ncid=emlcntustrav00000001) __._,_.___

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___