79nova4door

hi,this is my first time working on a oldsmobile engine and i just removed the front cover and noticed that the cam can move back and forth almost 1/2''.my question is...do oldsmobile engine have a cam retaining plate?

thank you

cutlassefi

No retaining plate. Obviously your chain is worn/stretched. Cam lobe profiles keep the cam against the block during rotation as in most/all flat tappet configurations.

79nova4door

thanks for the reply,i usually work on fox body mustang with roller cams and they use a retaining plate.i found it odd that there was no plate and yes the chain is stretched thats one of the reasons of my tear down.

thanks again

Redog

If there's no wear on the fuel pump arm or the timing cover, you should be good.

When I did the TC on my 330, it was pretty much the same thing. Cam gear was off by about 1* and I was just a hair away from being able to remove the chain WITHOUT removing the gears, but the fuel pump arm and the timing cover showed no sign of wear from the chain hitting or rubbing it.

There is a thrust button but the brass button goes behind the cam, so a rebuild is necessary. Not too sure how they are mounted though

joe_padavano

Not only does the taper on the lobes force the cam rearward against the block, but the thrust load from the helical distributor gear also provides a rearward force on the cam.

79nova4door

Thanks for the great info guys. I'm not only changing the chain but also the cam.I have a lunati cam with low miles that was broken in properly and litters where kept in order of what lobes they where on.when installing a used cam is it needed to use cam lube and do a break in again or is it ready to go since it's used. Thanks

MDchanic

It should be "ready to go," but I would exercise the usual precautions anyway, if only because if there is a future problem, you'll kick yourself that much harder if you didn't.

- Eric

79nova4door

thats what i was thinking too. im gona lube it anyways and follow the same protocol as a new cam.

thanks