Camshaft spacer and end play

Rear Camshaft Plug Installation

Rear cam plug installation on the Ford Y-Block engines dictates that it not be installed so deeply that it actually interferes or contacts the rear of the camshaft. Besides the obvious wear issue that can occur at the face of the cam plug, detrimental wear at the rear side of the cam thrust plate can become evident or in a worst case situation, the thrust plate itself can break. Unlike a Ford FE engine where the cam plug actually goes into the block cup side first or facing in, the cam plugs for the Y are designed to be installed with the cup side facing the rear of the engine. This puts the flat face of the Y’s cam plug in a position to contact the rear of the camshaft if the plug itself is installed too deeply into the block.

When installing the camshaft in the block and without the cam gear yet installed, the front face of the camshaft is expected to fall behind the front of the block or behind the cam thrust plate at least 0.050”. If it does this, then the cam plug is installed correctly and not too deeply into the block. If the camshaft fits flush with the block or actually protrudes slightly in front of the block when the cam itself is pushed in as far as it will physically go, then the rear cam plug installation should be readdressed before going any further.

I’ll add that when assembling the engine, examine in detail all the individual parts. The cam thrust plate can be cracked from a previous installation and a single crack can be easily overlooked if not being watched for.

And last but not least, use some sealer on the outer edge of the cam plug when installing it. Although there’s no oil pressure between the plug and the rear of the camshaft, there is still oil residing in that area and seepage from a rear cam plug is very often mistaken for a rear main seal leak.

Until next time, happy Y motoring. Ted Eaton.

Originally published in the Y-Block Magazine, Mar-Apr 2011 issue, Issue #103, Vol 20, No.8

South Australia

Author	Message
slick56	Posted 10 Years Ago
Supercharged Group: Forum Members Last Active: Last Year Posts: 457, Visits: 4.1K	Putting a new cam in my engine and the end play is .055", book calls for .012" max. Spacer measures .275", can anyone confirm correct thickness? Engine is a C2 truck, and there was this much camshaft play when i dis-assembled. Thanks, Al. . South Australia
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slick56	Posted 10 Years Ago
Supercharged Group: Forum Members Last Active: Last Year Posts: 457, Visits: 4.1K	Is the cam plug in the back of the block in far enough? Gary Ryan I think so. If i knock it in further it will limit the end play, but I don't think that is a good idea to adjust end play, as the camshaft will run on it. I'm assuming the spacer should be .012" thicker than the thrust plate, which measures .189", which means spacer should be .200-.201" ? I'm getting .055" play now because cam is hitting the core plug. . South Australia
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Ted	Posted 10 Years Ago
Co-Administrator Group: Administrators Last Active: 3 days ago Posts: 7.2K, Visits: 203.0K	I shoot for 0.004” - 0.006” for camshaft end play. Cam thrust plate thicknesses typically measure about 0.191” give or take 0.002”. When installing the slightly thicker non-keyed spacer on the camshaft, be sure the chamfer goes to the back as being to the front will add an excessive amount of end play. With the timing gear removed from the camshaft, the cam itself should fall in at least 0.025” or more behind the face of the block to insure that the camshaft is not riding upon the rear cam plug when the gear set is installed. Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)
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slick56	Posted 10 Years Ago
Supercharged Group: Forum Members Last Active: Last Year Posts: 457, Visits: 4.1K	Ted (2/14/2014) I shoot for 0.004” - 0.006” for camshaft end play. Cam thrust plate thicknesses typically measure about 0.191” give or take 0.002”. When installing the slightly thicker non-keyed spacer on the camshaft, be sure the chamfer goes to the back as being to the front will add an excessive amount of end play. With the timing gear removed from the camshaft, the cam itself should fall in at least 0.025” or more behind the face of the block to insure that the camshaft is not riding upon the rear cam plug when the gear set is installed. Thanks Ted, someone appears to have fitted a dodgy spacer. I will look through my "thick washer" tray. . South Australia
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yblock	Posted 10 Years Ago
Supercharged Group: Forum Members Last Active: 10 Years Ago Posts: 57, Visits: 189	question re camrear core plug. which way should it go in. fes goin backwerds,just asenbling my 292 and forgot which way the core plug goes in ,the normel way seems to close to rear of cam. help
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slick56	Posted 10 Years Ago
Supercharged Group: Forum Members Last Active: Last Year Posts: 457, Visits: 4.1K	It goes in the regular way; this from Teds web-site Published by tedeaton on 21 Oct 2011 at 06:58 am Rear Camshaft Plug Installation Rear cam plug installation on the Ford Y-Block engines dictates that it not be installed so deeply that it actually interferes or contacts the rear of the camshaft. Besides the obvious wear issue that can occur at the face of the cam plug, detrimental wear at the rear side of the cam thrust plate can become evident or in a worst case situation, the thrust plate itself can break. Unlike a Ford FE engine where the cam plug actually goes into the block cup side first or facing in, the cam plugs for the Y are designed to be installed with the cup side facing the rear of the engine. This puts the flat face of the Y’s cam plug in a position to contact the rear of the camshaft if the plug itself is installed too deeply into the block. When installing the camshaft in the block and without the cam gear yet installed, the front face of the camshaft is expected to fall behind the front of the block or behind the cam thrust plate at least 0.050”. If it does this, then the cam plug is installed correctly and not too deeply into the block. If the camshaft fits flush with the block or actually protrudes slightly in front of the block when the cam itself is pushed in as far as it will physically go, then the rear cam plug installation should be readdressed before going any further. I’ll add that when assembling the engine, examine in detail all the individual parts. The cam thrust plate can be cracked from a previous installation and a single crack can be easily overlooked if not being watched for. And last but not least, use some sealer on the outer edge of the cam plug when installing it. Although there’s no oil pressure between the plug and the rear of the camshaft, there is still oil residing in that area and seepage from a rear cam plug is very often mistaken for a rear main seal leak. Until next time, happy Y motoring. Ted Eaton. Originally published in the Y-Block Magazine, Mar-Apr 2011 issue, Issue #103, Vol 20, No.8 . South Australia
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yblock	Posted 10 Years Ago
Supercharged Group: Forum Members Last Active: 10 Years Ago Posts: 57, Visits: 189	thanks for the help,my books do not show ,tho I had info re the feseries. thanks again cliff
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Camshaft spacer and end play

Camshaft spacer and end play

Rear Camshaft Plug Installation

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