Thanks for the help Ted, I barely got .004 with it, can't tell you how tempted I was to use my belt sander, but having 1 cracked and 1 snapped in half thrust plate I was hesitant. Thanks for the help much appreciated, I think I will disassemble and sand just a bit off to be on the safe side.

Gary

Gary.  Just make sure that the cam thrust washer is 0.004-0.006” thicker than the cam thrust plate.  That will give you the required camshaft end play.  The chamfer on the thrust washer must also be facing the camshaft.  In the event the cam end play is inadequate and any extra parts if available cannot be matched up to provide the correct amount of clearance, the thrust plate can be put to a belt sander and made ‘thinner’ to give the correct amount of end play. 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

It is not I
have as mentioned .025 below the block surface

Gary

Hi Gary, make sure the cam is not hitting the cam plug (in the back of the block).

Cliff 

Good morning I am installing cam in 312, I am using True Roller cam chain with .025 end of cam below block surface. I have 4 old cams plus 3 additional thrust washer and thrust plates totaling 7 thrust washers an 7 thrust plates removed from 292/312 motors, some show non wear from cam and timing gear and some show slight rubbing wear. I am not able to use any in my application and get cam end play with the exception of 1 lone thrust washer which seems when installed and checked without timing chain I can get .004 end play. I have read that there are 2 different thickness thrust plates and thrust washers. I must have gotten very lucky on the 7th washer as all parts measured the same thickness with exception of this one washer that is just barely thicker than the others when measured and by only.004. There must be a lot of these motors re-assembled using the same parts that came out as I almost did.
Gary