cam towers install
 

I am dry fitting cam towers with the heads on the case and i notice it has a little rocking up and down motion, approx .25mm.

All cleaned. Nothing appears to hinder and it appears to be flat with a straight edge on the cam tower. It does this on both cam towers. I noticed on rebuild videos people hammering them down so it would seem they wouldnt even notice if there were any play. However, mine does not need to be hammered, they just fall into place.

Is this normal? I imagine once i torque the heads down the base gaskets will even and everything will all conform?

you don't happen to have 2 base gaskets stacked under 1 cylinder?

I had the same thing last week, I just lightly tightened everything down then removed to double check and it was fine. Helps to have a small round magnet on a stick to pick off washers and nuts from cam towers. Not sure if it’s a common thing I don’t build a lot of motors.

I don't know about hammering, all mine needed was a firm push to get the o-rings for the oil return tubes seated.

If you don’t find a smoking gun, carry on. After you torque the heads and cam towers make sure the camshaft turns nicely in its bores by hand. If it binds you definitely have an issue.

- Daniel

May well be hanging up on one of the retun tube O rings - like Ed mentions.
That would explain the hammering down with no issues on other builds.
Alan

Repeating what Zuffenwerker said, once torqued down, make sure both the cams rotate freely. It doesn't take much cylinder height difference to cause binding of the cam. For the first test assembly, don't use any sealant, if the cams turn freely, remove and apply. Good luck.