Top ring Installation

DartVadar said
I guess I'm kinda hijacking my own thread here, but i have a question about the camshaft thrust plate.

I was looking at the "how to assemble the front of a small block" thread and noticed that mine was a bit different. I have the oil drip tab and three solid bolts, there isn't a hole in the top left bolt. And it never had an oil slinger on the crank. I ran the motor like that before without any issue, but should I either drill a hole through a bolt, or get a new one, and add an oil slinger to the crank? I out it together exactly how it was stock, was the same way with another 318 I took apart.

Why is it different than the "how to assemble a small block" thread? The service manual I have shows it with a solid bolt. And no slinger.

Run the oil slinger, they are cheap and worth the cost vs benefit.

http://www.manciniracing.com/oilslinger.html

Now for the camshaft thrust plate bolts.

1. Best is to drill a hole in the top pass bolt like the factory original. Or find an original style bolt.

2. Next best is to leave that top pass side hole open. I would recommend then drilling out the bottom driver's side camshaft thrust plate hole, so you can make the tab hook in there and also use the bolt in that hole.

3. Or you can just leave the top pass bolt out and not use the drip tab, and then use the three remaining bolts in the trust plate.

I would recommend 1 & 2 first, then #3....