Does my 451 have to small of a cam?

Ok guys, I got the cam out and I think I've been had! The gear drive has 3 marks on it and 1 on the cam. The one on the cam was lined up with the mark right of center. Also there is a # stamped into the cam between the lobs 292. Isn't that the cam size? And between the carb and intake is a thick plate with 4 holes way smaller than the prim./secd. On the carb! What's up with that?