A couple weeks ago I posted up a concern about replacing a camshaft and finding the thrust plate had a 1/16in. groove worn into it. Now I read in the latest issue of Y-Block Magazine about camshaft cores being 1/16in. too long and could tear up the thrust plate. I measured the camshaft I took out and it measures 20 1/16in. from the front cam bearing journal to the rear cam bearing journal. It measures 21 1/2 overall. Does anyone have a known good camshaft they could measure so I can check it against what I found. Thanks

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

I'm glad you're a subscriber to the magazine. I read it the other day and I remembered the camshaft issue but I couldn't remember which forum it was on to reply.


Lawrenceville, GA

I would think relevant measurement of block would be from front to rear edge of last cam bearing, as it would be when rear welch plug is installed weather it puts end thrust on camshaft end, originally the 2 1/16" plug was narrow and aftermarket ones have deeper sides and can be driven in further, thus reducing any end clearance if camshaft is longer/ just my view on it.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

By the parts manual, the camshaft is 21.54” long.  I figure that must be overall.  Actual measurement of an original EDB cam I have sitting here is 20.062” which does not include the snout.  I do come across quite a few Y’s where the rear cam plug is installed too deeply thus causing clearance issues with the thrust plate.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

The camshaft plug being installed too deep is probably what I have. Maybe I installed the Rollmaster gear correctly after all. Funny it didn't happen with the cam I got from Mummerts (which is back in the engine running fine).

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409