Hi everyone! I've been putting my 440 together and wanted to check the cam end play(roller cam) and while putting the timing cover on briefly, I noticed the 3 can bolts were hitting the timing cover. I still has 0.175" till the cover mates with the block(no gasket on). Is there any solutions to this?
Thanks!

Does a stock cover fit?

Hello Ori, it's been awhile. the simple ans would be is the cover too shallow (what Andy said mockup an OE one) OR is the cam protruding more than an OE cam setup (I wouldnt think so otherwise you'd need a custom cover designed for roller cam if there is such an animal). never heard of one but I've never considered a roller setup so I ain't never researched what is needed for that. Holler how it turnes out. Is the cam seated rearward where it is supposed to be?

Look like pretty tall socket heads, can you find alternative fasteners
or maybe grind enough off the bolt face to get relief?

That little shouldn't compromise it's strength??

Joe

Edit..looks like the cam button sticks out further than the bolts
or is it the angle of the photo??

Yeah, something fishy here, the cam button sticks out past the bolts and I agree they're pretty tall. But they're not as tall as the button. Deal with the button is it gets trimmed down as the cover is installed to custom fit endplay.

I just think you haven't given yourself enough time to think. The air is pretty thin up in Ft Collins, maybe take a couple of whiffs of oxygen and sit down with a cool can of your favorite stimulant.

R.

You can't use regular bolts on the cam - you need to use bolts with a low head. look here:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=low+head+socket+capscrew&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=891&tbm=isch&imgil=EYq5KZyo3WfobM%253A%253BJfejbTH6W6vtyM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.indiamart.com%25252Fprideindustrialservices%25252Fsocket-set-screws.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=EYq5KZyo3WfobM%253A%252CJfejbTH6W6vtyM%252C_&usg=__IOkPDTGl8bBS7QVkgHNKciQv8nE%3D&ved=0CD0Qyjc&ei=DvyLVeirHMityASAvbbAAg#imgrc=_&usg=__IOkPDTGl8bBS7QVkgHNKciQv8nE%3D

I just went through this with my 440 but used a stock cover.

I wish I measured the amount I took off the cam button but I didn't. I can tell you I took off quite a bit. I then made a washer and ground it on a surface grinder to make it the correct thickness for 0.007 to 0.010 inches clearance. I missed and had to add a 0.005 inch shim.

As you can see I used button head allen bolts.

As long as the bolt heads are shorter than the button then there shouldn't be any problem. If the button doesn't fit under the cover then it needs to be cut down. I started making my own buttons a few years ago due to the fact that I couldn't find anything that actually fit correctly out of the box.

As usual, Andy, your stuff is Beautiful.

OP, you seem to have missed the idea that the buttons are supplied long for a reason, that being they can be easily cut down to custom fit by those without machine shops like Andy. It's the same idea as replacement main caps, they have to be fit to the block.

I think the smallblock's way of controlling cam walk is better. Chevy finally started using the plate sometime in the 80s, IIRC.

R.

Good news! I got it all together. After working on small blocks all
My life, this is the first big block I've done and I have learned a lot along the way.
To fix that issue I first posted, I cut down the heads on the allen bolts and then made the button have 0.010" clearance. We are golden!
Just a FYI, that timing cover was the eBay Mopar big block fabricated one. I would never get one again. The front seal diameter was 0.020" small and was not square all the way around the circle. We had to get a honing bar and hone it so the seal would 0.004" press on it instead of pressing it into a impossible 0.020" smaller diameter.

Yep, sometimes the cheap parts aren't worth the low price.