Just what I was thinking!

I didn't see if you had mentioned it but the engine does have to be flipped upside down to allow the lifters to sit up and then the cam can slide out. Just a thought.

If the camshaft is not sliding out easily, the center cam bearing is likely the culprit. There’s a good chance that the center grooved camshaft journal has worn the cam bearing such that the camshaft will no longer slide. With the engine upside down, you’ll need to force the camshaft forward by using a long screw driver or similar pry bar placed against a camshaft lobe and one of the interior main bulk heads. Once you get the center cam journal freed from the center cam bearing, the cam should move forward reasonably easy.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I have torn my 292 completly apart to have it cleaned and dipped. I have removed everything except the camshaft and lifters. However I can not get the camshaft to slide out like I assume it does. I pulled the front 2 bolt plate off that holds the cam in. Is there a c-clip at the back behind the freeze plug(if that is a freeze plug. It looks to be steel.) If there is not how does it come out? I have not found any info on this so I am assuming it just slides out. The camshaft turns freely as well. any advice would be apriceated. thanks Raymond