1966 lemans 326 engine cam

[Rems66Pont]

I recently had to replace the heads on my 326 engine. My son and I were getting ready to re-assemble everything when I noticed that the lifters were not sitting on the cam shaft lobes correctly. They seem to be sitting half on the cam lobes. There is 1/4" back and forth movement. When I pull the cam forward, the cam lines up where it should be but I can push the cam to the rear and it is half off the lobe. I know the thrust plate keeps it from going too far forward but what would keep it from going back too far? I have had nothing but problems with this engine and would like to find another engine to put in it but they are too pricey.

 

[melsg5]

There should be no where near that much movement. Check if the fuel pump eccentric is properly installed and the thrust plate isnt worn. How old is the chain?
If the lobes or lifters are showing a bad wear pattern they need to be changed.

effects of excessive camshaft endplay - PY Online Forums - Bringing the Pontiac Hobby Together

effects of excessive camshaft endplay Pontiac - Street

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[92 Sunbird LE]

Also I might point out , if it's a new cam, compare it with another cam....seen a guy on YouTube install a cam in a Chevy 454 and the cam was actually 1/2" shorter than it should be.....1st time I heard of this.......and it caused him many headaches trying to figure it out. Lifters never lined up with the cam lobes.

Doug in P.R.

 

[G-930964]

Also I might point out , if it's a new cam, compare it with another cam....seen a guy on YouTube install a cam in a Chevy 454 and the cam was actually 1/2" shorter than it should be.....1st time I heard of this.......and it caused him many headaches trying to figure it out. Lifters never lined up with the cam lobes.

Doug in P.R.

Thanks Doug, everything is pretty much new, but I did order another cam shaft. when I looked up the numbers on old cam, it matched up to a 71 Bonneville which I pretty sure didn't have a 326. Going to compare cams and install new cam. We did pull the fuel pump out and it was out when I noticed the cam movement, that might be the problem. Appreciate the info.

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[cammerjeff]

All Pontiac V8 Cams should be the same length, I also have never seen a camshaft to "short" but anything is possible. If the cam is the correct length, the only other possibility I can think of is the plug on the rear of the block may be incorrectly installed or missing. Did you have the block out of the car?

I suspect that they sent you an camshaft for a different engine type. Do you still have the old cam to compare the new one to?

a quick check of Pontiac vs Chevy engine block length puts Pontiac blocks at 28.25" and SBC's at 27.88" just about the 1/2" you are seeing.