Trouble getting camshaft end plate/O ring correct

[rlane]

In the process of dry assembling my engine in prep for cam timing. When I put the new O rings on the camshaft end plate, located it with the three bolts I am just unable to get this plate to fit flush. The O ring "squeezes" out and I am afraid that the 10N-m of torque these bolts get won't pull this flush.
Does this plate sit flush or I am making a mountain from a mole hill?
We did go ahead and assemble with the old Orings and had no problem, got the sprocket alignment checked and otherwise it is going well. Is there some secret I am missing or should I just torques these down and move on?

[Walter_Middie]

Rlane,

The end plate should seat against the cam tower with the thin gasket that is triangular in shape. The rubber "O" ring is just a seal for the chain housing, and should just sit there - not much pressure on it. If you are squeezing yours out, I would think there is something wrong - like the wrong "O" ring.

[rlane]

Thanks Rex..I checked the O rings and they appear to be correct, do you recall if the end plate ends up sitting flush with the cam housing?
If it does not have to end up flush then I think this is pretty much just pushing the O ring and plate in while torqueing the 3 bolts

[Walter_Middie]

To be honest.....I can't remember. I don't think they were flush, but I just can't remember. Someone else?

[sww914]

I had to use a dull screwdriver to push the O ring in while very gently drawing the plate in with the 3 bolts, little by little.

[ChrisBennet]

Are you coating them with Dow Corning 111 (or something)? I find that they do want to pinch themselves so you have to be careful and sometimes help them a little by pushing them in with a screwdriver or something like sww914 said.
-Chris

[rlane]

Chris I didn't coat them this go 'round as I am dry assembling for cam timing and piston-valve clearance check. I will try the dull screwdriver trick when it gets time to assemble for good. I did notice there are FOUR red O rings that appear to be all the same in my kit from Pelican...is there another set of O rings that are just a bit wider? And Chris/SWW does the plate end up flush with the cam carrier?

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by rlane
Chris I didn't coat them this go 'round as I am dry assembling for cam timing and piston-valve clearance check. I will try the dull screwdriver trick when it gets time to assemble for good. I did notice there are FOUR red O rings that appear to be all the same in my kit from Pelican...is there another set of O rings that are just a bit wider? And Chris/SWW does the plate end up flush with the cam carrier?

I don't know if the plate ends up flush. It's designed to allow some room for misalignment of the chainbox and the cam.

I think the "secret" to making a good seal between the plate and the cam carrier is to clean the surfaces well and use a better quality gasket. The Reinz kits usually come with a thin green "paper" thing but there are thicker black "cardboardy" ones for this application that seal better. That has been my experience at least. If the experts agree with this theory, I can dig out some gaskets and measure them and take pictures.
-Chris

[sww914]

I don't remember if it sits all the way flush, but you can look between the chain housing and the cam housing and see if it's in all the way. Make sure it's level.

[rlane]

Good idea to look between the chain case and the cam carrier..will do that
Cjris, where would you source the better (black) gasket? EBS? or does Pelican carry them as sepaarte pieces..I definitely have the thin grey Reinz one from my gasket set. Was planning on coating both sides with CurilT

[rlane]

anybody with a source for the black cam plate gasket Chris describes?
And does the end plate seat flush with the cam housing?

[ChrisBennet]

Wrightwood make nice gaskets. I'm sure Henry has them as well as EBS but a phone call to Pelican would probably get you some too.
-Chris