[r-mm]

Thanks Kevin this is a very clear and useful analysis of the sealing surfaces.

I now can understand why short of ripping the o-ring, it is a less problematic surface to seal. I can also see that since the thrust plate is floating it would seem that even if I have a minimal JB Weld conflict on the back of the chain box, the floating thrust plate would be allowed to find the surface of the cam carrier, true and flat with the bolts tightened down. If anything, I now guess that because there is more thrust plate proud of the chain box on the non-leaking side, its possible that the non-leaking side actually has more JB Weld pushing it away from the cam carrier.

I went ahead and bought a new thrust plate just to eliminate it as a variable.

The most irksome thought is resurfacing the cam carrier. Honestly, that would just kind of suck to have to take the cam out at this point.

I really don't know anything about how to pick a good sealant for a specific application. Via PM John Walker recommended a thin thin film of Dirko on the paper gasket, which is RTV. He mentioned that the wrong sealant can soften the paper and lead to it ripping. I mentioned that I have Ultra Gray on hand, not Dirko and he said, sure fine. Does anyone reading have enough of a grasp on what sealant you'd use if you suspected slightly out of flat parts ie what sealant has the best gap filling ability? Whatever sealant is used it will be used sparingly and as a dressing not alone, so In my view there is limited danger of it finding its way into oil passages etc. I don't ask to second guess John, but to help me get a deep understanding of the chemicals on my shelf, past "use this one here".

And finally, is this an area, like the rockers, where slightly higher than stock torque specs may be called for? I don't have the specs in front of me but I recall the number being surprisingly low