Do I really need this needle bearing spacer? The timing cover just clears without it. The button shaft appears to be protruding beyond the spacer but when it’s pushed in there are still a few thousandths of meat that could be milled off.

It designed with the bearing for a purpose. Without it, the 2 parts of the button will wear on each other

Thx, 40 thousandths of the front of the button got the clearance.