Cam Tower Plug Cover Plates?

[2jmotorsports]

I am almost done sealing up a 3.0L longblock and I noticed the front of the cam towers (where there are pressed in round dished plugs) have 3 threaded holes.





I know these are a single casting with the plug on either side to make left and right cam towers, but should there be some kind of cover plate that goes over the plugs (#16) at the front? I dont see any kind of covers listed anywhere.



Wondering if I should leave them alone or find/make some plates or get 3 washers and bolts per side to keep the plates from ever coming out.

Thanks in advance.

[Ken911]

No those plates are for stuff like power steering drives and for the turbo the air pump and turbo oil scavenge pump. different things connected there for different years.

[2jmotorsports]

Thanks Ken.

Could they ever come out on their own? Should I leave them alone?

[cgarr]

Leave them alone

[2jmotorsports]

Will do. Thanks for the input!

[Walt Fricke]

The engine tin on the front of the engine is bolted to those three threaded holes, in addition to other places, but I think that is for convenience in attaching the tin, and not for any "keep the plug in" purpose. That pressed-in piece never causes trouble. Perhaps it might if it was frequently removed and reinstalled, but there is little reason to do that. You don't need to remove it to do a good job of cleaning up the cam tower when you have it off and on the bench, either.