I know the Gen VI motors use the step nosed cam with the retainer on the front of the engine, but I just installed my roller cam for a mock up with the correct GM retainer, and it seems like it has a lot of end play to me. I don't have a dial indicator handy at the moment, but when I checked it with feeler gauges it looks like about .050. Is that way out to lunch? If so, do I have to install shims behind the retainer to adjust it.

Thanks!

What gear do you have install?
I have a step nosed cam, cam plate in front the block, with gear set with torrington trust bearing, when it was all new i have .003-.004'' of end play, now after 80h runing i have .010'' of end play that i think that is ok but i am not an expert.

I think it is a cloyes, and it has the torrington thrust bushing. It is a double roller that was designed to work with the GM Gen VI cam retainer.

Here are a couple of pictures that illustrate exactly what I am talking about:

Here is the nose of the cam protruding from the cam retainer. It is pushed forward as far as it can go. Notice probably about 0.10 of the cam nose protruding through it.



Here is a shot of the cam after I push it back towards the rear of the engine. Note that it goes all the way back so almost none of the step is showing:



It doesn't seem like there should be this much rearward play in the cam to me. What limits how far back in the block the cam can go? Is it the rear plug?

Do I have a problem here or not?

it needs to be measured once the gear in installed with a dial indicater..

the cam gear controls how far back it can move. you need to see what you have with the gear on.

guess we were typing at the same time!

Does it matter if the chain is on as well, or can I measure it with just the cam gear?

Does anyone know what measurements I should expect?

.003 to.005 is the norm. if you just want to check end play you dont have to have to put the chain on.good luck