Big Block Gear Drive On A Slant?

You'd have to make stops on the back of the cast timing covers. You're not trying to totally eliminate the front to back movement, just minimize it where it's not a quarter inch. It still needs to float side to side, but even that can get excessive as you've mentioned. I've seen billet timing covers with the idlers mounted in them as well. I guess it's time for a Slant cover like that now. LOL
If they pinch in the timing cove they don't work. How would one pinch in a small block Chrysler or a Pontiac or Ford with a thick, cast cover?