Anything is possible. It's pretty obvious which way the Roll Master timing gear goes on the cam.  The front and back are different and I don't think the timing chain wouldn't go on straight.  There are definitely two styles of Y Block cam thrust plates and washers.  The parts in my 1955 292 motor are different than in the 1957 272.   As soon as I replaced the 292 parts with the 272 parts, the cam end play was perfect.  I prechecked the end play without any oil and the timing chain off. The cam end play is about .005",  I used Red Line assembly lube in this motor.  It's pretty thick stuff. Anyway, I am confident in what I have now.  My blast cabinet gave up the ghost for some reason.  As soon as I fix it I'll finish the motor and put it back in the car.  This whole project started out as a light cleanup of the engine compartment.  It's ending with a complete mechanical rebuild from fan to drive shaft.

Is it possible to install the Rollmaster cam bear backwards? Just wondering if that is what is hitting to lock it up?

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Yikes! 

The Rollmaster gears are tough to get behind with something to pry with.   I'm happy with the test fit I made before installing the chain. All turns freely now and the chain does not make any unwanted noises.

Make sure if you have to pry the gears and chain off, that you do not pry against the pins in the chain.  That will destroy the chain integrity, and a link will fall off.  Ask me how I found out?

 

 

This was in my oil pan after the tear down from EMC.  Luckily it was found to be missing when the cam was retarded back to 101*, and a new chain was installed.  The link was MIA, but all is good now, since I found it.  Joe-JDC

JDC

The cam end play was perfect without the chain installed.  I could move it forward and back with my hands. The roller timing chain seemed like a fairly delicate piece of hardware, especially around the edges.  I guess I could have forced it, but I didn't want to chance it. I put a lot of assembly lube on the parts as well. It could have taken up some of the play.

You only pry gently, same as you would for checking crank thrust.  It should not require much effort at all.  If you checked with the gear, before installing the chain, then it is definitely good.


Lawrenceville, GA

I installed all the components without the timing chain, tightened the cam bolt and the end play was perfect.  The roller timing chain and gears are new with zero slack.  I hate prying on things. When I adjusted the valves the engine turns freely by hand with no binds.

You should be able to check the end play with the chain installed.  Use a screw driver or small pry bar to gently move it.  If you measured the thickness of the washer and plate and they were in spec, then it should be good.  You can also check with only the sprocket, without the chain installed, before final assembly.


Lawrenceville, GA

This issue has been resolved.  The engine that came with my car when I bought it had a lot of questionable issues. The thrust washer next to the cam fit very tightly into the thrust plate.  So tight that I had to force it in.  When the cam bolt was torqued down the cam assembly bound up.  You could turn the engine over, but it didn't feel right.  The cam freeze plug was installed correctly.

I removed the washer and plate from my bone stock 1957 272 and installed them in my engine.  The last person to touch that engine was the factory 61 years ago.  I could clearly see the beveled inside edge on the thrust washer and there was clearance between the washer and the plate.  That is the way I remembered it was suppose to be.  I notched the thrust plate and put everything together without the timing chain and the cam end play was perfect.  I reinstalled the timing chain and torqued everything down.  It is nearly impossible to check the cam end play with the roller timing chain installed as it is very tight. I am confident it is adequate.

There is a lesson to learn here.  These engine are very old.  Who knows who's been working on them or what has been done to them along the way?  Shade tree mechanics are plentiful.  Don't assume because you took it apart that way, it is right.  Thanks for all the help!!

If the spacer and plate both came from the '55 and neither is worn or damaged then clearance should be good as the two pieces would match.  The cam and timing chain should work with either set of parts.


Lawrenceville, GA