Hello George:

Nice to hear from you, thanks for weighing in. Fiber timing gear. Everything looks pretty solid, including fuel pump (checked it), carbs (checked them), engine mounts (checked them VERY recently but will do so again to eliminate that issue). I just had the timing gear in my hand a week ago and the union between fiber and steel center was rock solid. I also cleaned out the timing and crankshaft gears' oil nozzle when I made the change months ago, then re-checked it when I had the front off a couple of months later.

I am not sure how to check my oil pressure on this car. I have a yellow indicator on the dash that has never come on. Of course, it could be shot!

I suspect you are right - 85 lb./ft. of torquing on the camshaft nut combined with the mechanical advantage of the thread pitch of said nut should yield plenty of pulling force to bring that cam forward. It is the only thing I can think of though, since when I put on the new thrust plate the spacer ring was BEHIND the opening in the thrust plate where the ring should protrude by 0.003". It was only back a bit but noticeable to the unaided eye, and my eye needs some aid. I think it got pushed back when the gear puller was yanking the timing gear off the cam end.

Cheers,

Jeff Pucillo