Duncan_GT

Is it worth upgrading the cast iron camshaft thrust plate with the Ford Racing steel one? I'm going to order a new timing set that has the torrington bearing and didn't know if I should install it with the stock thrust plate.

mjr46

use the stock plate, never seen them break, I use the stock one with the torrington, just make sure end play/ clearance is proper, iirc it's .004 - .007

Duncan_GT

Will I need a dial indicator to measure this? I'll add it to my list of tools to get

tinman

Yep, you'll need a dial indicator to do this. They aren't as expensive as you may think. If you take any kind of care of it, it'll last for ever.
I've got one that I've been using for 35+ years.
It's also more useful than you think too..........

Duncan_GT

How do you measure for it then as far as getting the cam to move back and forth?

mjr46

bolt it all together and pull on the cam geat, leave the chain off, you could use a pry bar as well but don't pry, gently move it back and forth, prying will skew the reading

Duncan_GT

Does the thrust plate need any machining to accept the torrington bearing?

mjr46

counter sink the bolt holes and if clearance isn't enough I flat sand the plate

Duncan_GT

Is the plate thick enough to countersink? I am using grade 8 bolts on the plate, and if I recall, the hex head of the bolt is almost as thick as the plate. I didn't want to start boring the bolt holes and only leave myself a tiny bit of material that takes the torque of the bolt (if that makes any sense). I'll have to see if Lowe's carries grade 8's with an Allen head

mjr46

you can't use the stock bolts with the torrington set up as it rides against the plate and will intefere with the heads, IIRC THE torrington set up comes with the proper countersunk headed bolts, all you do is sink it with iirc a 82 degree countersink bit which I got at home depot and presto, all done!!