camshaft gear to distributor gear

[forestb]

A few years ago I replaced my timing chain cover. When I did this we installed a camshaft button. The problem we had was in the timing chain cover there was a reinforcement plate that was not allowing us to install the cover with the button installed so we removed the reinforcement plate. Sense then I have replaced the camshaft and I don't remember if the button was reinstalled. My question is is it possible for the camshaft to be moving back and forth inside the engine? Also how would this effect my engine? Would it cause my timing to change?

[YoungPup1977]

If the camshaft is moving back and forth in the block it will effect timing and how the engine will run for sure...

By the way, what engine are we talking about ? sbc, BBC 455 olds ? Caddy ?
Do you remember what type of camshaft you installed ? roller ? Flat tappet ?
Any noises of the chain hitting the timing cover ?
If you checked the camshaft end play you would of caught this issue at the time of your cam change....

[forestb]

small block 350
I think it was a roller cam. I don't have roller lifters.
I have not heard any noises that I know of.
I was not the one that was doing the work. I was just helping a mechanic friend of mine as he installed it. He might have checked the camshaft end play.
I am just trying to search my mind for any reason that my engine might be running irregularly.

Is there a way to check it now that everything is back together?

[YoungPup1977]

Is your mechanic friend available ? Have a discussion with him and get your info straight and assistance on this forum maybe a bit easier...

Good Luck...

[forestb]

No I have fallen out of contact with him. Lets just say he is no longer my mechanic friend.

[YoungPup1977]

Any Vac Leaks ? Do u have a vac gauge ?

Check the simple stuff before diving into the camshaft end play... Why was the cam changed ? Run great before your friend messed it up ?
Never let your mechanic friend go.....

Oh Yea forgot to ask...
Initial timing ?
What carb ?

Talk to your neighbor, they have a dial back type of timing light unless they moved since 2016.....

[forestb]

The cam was change because it did not producing enough vacuum for my disk breaks. I don't have any vacuum leak. I have changed the cap, plugs, rotor, wires, fuel filter, air filter and carb (quodrojet). I have had the valves checked and now my current mechanic is recommending I get either a new distributor or/and an new carb (holley). It was running fine after he switched out the cam the second time. I was just thinking things might have shifted sense then. It is now stuttering and making a sneezing like noise sometimes during acceleration. Almost like it is about to stall.
I've had to redo or replace almost everything that the old mechanic friend did.

[YoungPup1977]

Did you buy a timing light yet....last time you borrowed one from your other friend next door....

[forestb]

Yes I did and the timing seemed to change on it's own every time I checked it. That's when I started taking it to the mechanic to have them do it. I think there is a thread around here somewhere about that hole fiasco. or maybe that is what you are referring to.

[garyd1961]

A retrofit roller will walk without the button. I never heard of running a roller cam with flat tappet lifters or did you mean it doesn't have roller tip rockers. Are you sure it's a roller cam.

[forestb]

Originally Posted by garyd1961

A retrofit roller will walk without the button. I never heard of running a roller cam with flat tappet lifters or did you mean it doesn't have roller tip rockers. Are you sure it's a roller cam.

Sorry I meant to say, I don't think it is a roller cam, I don't have roller lifters.

[Captainfab]

If you have just a flat tappet cam, you do not need a cam thrust button. Those are only for retrofit roller cams.

[YoungPup1977]

full of wisdom but no solutions...