Mike Gayner

Howdy folks, I'm just starting the assembly of my 302 and it's not off to a good start - the camshaft end float is very high. My manual says it should be around 0.009", now I don't have a dial indicator but I can move it back and forth by what looks to me around 1/4"!! Whats going on?

It's a brand new camshaft with the old thrust plate, if that matters.

Edit- Looking at it again, it seems the camshaft moves too far towards the back of the engine, if you look at the journals you can see how far back they sit if I push the camshaft as far back as it will go.

Attached Images

endfloat.JPG (47.3 KB, 45 views)

russxr67

Mike,when you initially install the cam without the cam gear the endplay is excessive.Put your cam in and your thrust plate followed by the cam gear and then check your end thrust.The clearance can now be measured .Fwiw,you should have purchased a dial indicator and magnetic stand.These parts are so cheap and will help you check other things such as crank end float and a thousand other things.

Mike Gayner

Ah you're dead right, I tried that just a minute before you posted and it's fine. The overhaul manual actually says to check it after only doing up the thrust plate bolts, so maybe that's a method for the windsors? Thanks for your help, maybe I should enquire about a dial indicator.