The timing chain cover can have a big impact on a roller cam cam movement - The cam button can cause significant deflection in the factory cover letting the cam walk forward. Making a spacer and welding or epoxy it in place to go between the cover and the water pump is a cheap solution.

I also thing the quality of the bronze gear has gone down over the past ten years - its become a piece to be changed out on a regular schedule now

McMaster carr has the hardened torrington washer. I remove material from the intermediate gear thrust surface equal to the washer thickness. A bronze gear running on a bronze bushing wears fast, leading to gear elevation change, leading to ground up gears.
A very cheap and simple way of avoiding these problems.

Sorry guys, that even confused me when I reread the post. Yes Cab, I have awlays used the best parts for my cars etc, top brands only and I like certain brands over others. I guess what I was trying to convey to others is very simply that these gears are needed to run 90* from each and on Center. Oh yeah, Mopar BB only for me but I have worked many other brands for high performance reasons.