cam install- is this normal?

brooksgnm · 04-15-2002, 07:27 PM

Okay I just put in my e-303 cam, but I've got a few questions. When I put the cam in and put on the retainer plate it had a ton of endplay and I mean a TON like more than 1/8 inch. Then when I put on the timing chain and sprocket and torqued it down I've got .000 endplay, as if the sprocket is jamed up against the retainer.....I thought there was supposed to be a little clearance there, or is this how it should be?? Also my timing chain is very very tight like I can't hardly move the chain, is that normal for a new chain? It's a Comp magnum double roller if that matters. I'm 17 and this is my first cam swap so go easy on me if I'm doing something stupid! Thanks for any help! -Mark

Tony Frank · 04-16-2002, 11:00 AM

My dad and i also put the e cam in my 85 GT. sorry i cant help you about the endplay but the timing chain is supose to be tight like that, like if you try to move the chain with your finger, you can hardly move it or if you can at all.
its all good man.

Doctor DeBo · 04-16-2002, 01:57 PM

End play is only a factor with the crank shaft,if you've got the cam spocket on and torqued down and it rotates freely with out hitting the bolts on the retaining plate then all is well,and like Tony said,the chain should be tight.

brooksgnm · 04-16-2002, 02:42 PM

Okay I took off the timing chain and just bolted on the new sprocket, and as soon as I tighten it up at all the cam wants to lock up... Sooo I put on the original sprocket, and when I thighten it up there is a little resistance but it's not locked up or anything. So I guess I need a little shim behind the sprocket or maybe I can take a little material off of the retainer plate? What options do I have here? Thanks guys! -Mark

brooksgnm · 04-16-2002, 09:53 PM

Please guys help me out here!!! I've got to figure out how to get this thing buttoned up...so if you've got any ideas let me know...I'm geetting worried about this

Tony Frank · 04-16-2002, 09:55 PM

dude im not too sure what to tell ya, i dont have my car here at school and i dont have any of my notes or documents.....sorry man.

89 ATI · 04-17-2002, 04:02 PM

You should have .0005 to .0055 end play with the timing gear on. It shouldn't lock up with it on.

PKRWUD · 04-17-2002, 05:57 PM

Are you sure you put the gear on correctly (didn't put it on backwards)? if so, you need a thinner thrust plate.

Take care,
-Chris

brooksgnm · 04-18-2002, 07:18 AM

Okay I'm going to mic everything and take a couple thousandths off of the thrust plate I guess it's called

that should fix it! Thanks!

04-15-2002, 07:27 PM	#1
brooksgnm Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 582	cam install- is this normal? Okay I just put in my e-303 cam, but I've got a few questions. When I put the cam in and put on the retainer plate it had a ton of endplay and I mean a TON like more than 1/8 inch. Then when I put on the timing chain and sprocket and torqued it down I've got .000 endplay, as if the sprocket is jamed up against the retainer.....I thought there was supposed to be a little clearance there, or is this how it should be?? Also my timing chain is very very tight like I can't hardly move the chain, is that normal for a new chain? It's a Comp magnum double roller if that matters. I'm 17 and this is my first cam swap so go easy on me if I'm doing something stupid! Thanks for any help! -Mark __________________ 85 GT/SVO project underway!

04-16-2002, 11:00 AM	#2
Tony Frank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn originally, but Grand Rapids now Posts: 309	My dad and i also put the e cam in my 85 GT. sorry i cant help you about the endplay but the timing chain is supose to be tight like that, like if you try to move the chain with your finger, you can hardly move it or if you can at all. its all good man. __________________ Grand Valley State University Senior Accounting and Finance Major 1985 Mustang GT 19,000 ORIGINAL miles, E-303 cam, edelbrock performer RPM intake, holley 600 cfm carb, MAC headers, windage tray, 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gears, 4"cowl hood, 5lug conversion, 04 Mach1 wheels. http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?1501

04-16-2002, 01:57 PM	#3
Doctor DeBo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Newnan, GA, UnitedStates Posts: 83	End play is only a factor with the crank shaft,if you've got the cam spocket on and torqued down and it rotates freely with out hitting the bolts on the retaining plate then all is well,and like Tony said,the chain should be tight. __________________ 92LX 5.0 Hatch,4.10 gears Auburn Pro,Mosser axels,alum drive shaft AOD hi ratio gear set,3200 stall TCI conv,Bassani long tube headers/cats,2 chamber flow masters,2.5inch exhaust,331 stroker,alum GT40 heads ported,Omega 1.7 roller rockers,JE forged pistons,Eagle rods,E cam,GT40 upper/lower intake,70mm mass,73mm Pro M bullet,MSD ignition,Cartech fuel sys w/external Aeromotive fuel pump,30lb injectors,Vortech S trim,Tubular front end,D&D coil overs up front

04-16-2002, 02:42 PM	#4
brooksgnm Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 582	Okay I took off the timing chain and just bolted on the new sprocket, and as soon as I tighten it up at all the cam wants to lock up... Sooo I put on the original sprocket, and when I thighten it up there is a little resistance but it's not locked up or anything. So I guess I need a little shim behind the sprocket or maybe I can take a little material off of the retainer plate? What options do I have here? Thanks guys! -Mark __________________ 85 GT/SVO project underway!

04-16-2002, 09:53 PM	#5
brooksgnm Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 582	Please guys help me out here!!! I've got to figure out how to get this thing buttoned up...so if you've got any ideas let me know...I'm geetting worried about this __________________ 85 GT/SVO project underway!

04-16-2002, 09:55 PM	#6
Tony Frank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn originally, but Grand Rapids now Posts: 309	dude im not too sure what to tell ya, i dont have my car here at school and i dont have any of my notes or documents.....sorry man. __________________ Grand Valley State University Senior Accounting and Finance Major 1985 Mustang GT 19,000 ORIGINAL miles, E-303 cam, edelbrock performer RPM intake, holley 600 cfm carb, MAC headers, windage tray, 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gears, 4"cowl hood, 5lug conversion, 04 Mach1 wheels. http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?1501

04-17-2002, 04:02 PM	#7
89 ATI Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 120	You should have .0005 to .0055 end play with the timing gear on. It shouldn't lock up with it on. __________________ 89 GT convertible, Kenny Brown level 5, Edelbrock performer, AFR 165's, Comp cams XE270HR, C&L 76, 24# inj, Crane 1.7's, 70mm BBK throttle body 298.2 hp 328.2 tq Mustang dyno "Our lady of blessed acceleration don't fail me now" Elwood Blues

04-17-2002, 05:57 PM	#8
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Are you sure you put the gear on correctly (didn't put it on backwards)? if so, you need a thinner thrust plate. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

04-18-2002, 07:18 AM	#9
brooksgnm Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 582	Okay I'm going to mic everything and take a couple thousandths off of the thrust plate I guess it's called that should fix it! Thanks! __________________ 85 GT/SVO project underway!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Gears, Install, and Questions	B2r3y	Windsor Power	6	02-21-2003 05:00 PM
Ring and Pinion Install	Titan	Modular Madness	21	08-15-2002 10:06 PM
A Question for 94-95 owners concerning 1.7RR INSTALL	SlowStang2	Windsor Power	6	09-22-2001 06:39 PM
Normal Temp gauge position	damills	Small Ponies	0	11-29-2000 11:29 PM