camshaft longitudinal play

hi all!
in a mopar big block with a donovan gear drive(old cover but brand new gears),is it common to add an extra bronze shim to limit camshaft movement,considering this is not mentioned in the mounting instructions?there is at least a 0.098 "play".
i m using an "old" ramcharger donovan cover (that used to be on a KB block)on a cast iron block:does that make any difference?
i got in touch with Donovan some time ago to get the missing parts for that geardrive,that already included shims...
thanks in advance
cyril
ps:camshaft is a clay smith mopar big block that was checked by them,so there should be no problem with it...

 

I like to see 0 end play..Dave

 

we run .010 endplay on a BB Chevy

 

Im with Dave, I put it around .000-.001. It seems Ive even read about people putting it under some compression, so -.002 or whatever clearance. Never done it myself though.

 

.010" wow seems like alot. I agree with .000 to .001 on my BBchevy.

But if its working for you great.

 

ok,so there IS something missing(a shim i guess)
thanks again to you all!
cyril

 

Is the bearing missing that goes behind the front cover? as you talk about bronze shims

 

engine builder says what is missing is a shim to correct end play and prevent the cam gear from rubbing against the iron block.so he s having one made out of bronze.
apart from that,everything is there.

 

not a shim..use a torington bearing..Dave

 

thanks a lot!

 

I measured my gear drive and with the thrust washers (2) and the torrington brg its .100" so it seems that is the magic number of what you are out.