end cap and intermediate shaft quest.?

[shbop]

Would someone please comment on this end cap. Does it need re-surfacing?
Also, my gasket set came with two identical gaskets for the cover. Both @ .0039". Is there an easier method, for a DIY'er to determining the end play of the shaft? Thank you in advance for any help!

[Henry Schmidt]

That cover should be surfaced. A belt sander or emery cloth on a flat surface will work but a surface grinder is best.

Put the newly surfaced cover on the engine finger tight, measure the gap with a feeler gauge and add the factory clearance to the number you measure.

Make s stack of adjustment metal shims (not gaskets) to achieve your desired thickness. Usually there is one or two metal shims and one thin paper gasket (not a thick graphite gasket)

BTW: if your cover looks that rough, what is the condition of the end of your lay shaft?

[shbop]

Thanks Henry. I was immediately stressed when I thought about the same thing, but the end looks fine. ( I'm sure I don't know what a good, or bad one looks like, but the end is not cobbed-up or rough as I might have expected. It's hard to believe, given the amount of damage to the end-cap. OK, so I can get my mind around this better: The shaft is proud of the case by .015". (feeler guage method). Is my math correct in understanding that I need shims totaling .018-.02" for the right amount of end play? Is there any sealant involved with this end, or is it a dry stack? Thanks again for your input Henry, -- always appreciated!