Howdy,

Finally starting on the rebuild of a near-stock 350 for my GTA. Original engine, had it machined, putting it together myself because I like a challenge and being hands-on. Quick specs:
30-over hyper pistons, forged rods and crank (yes, I know I didn't need to go forged, don't judge me), Comp Cam (hyd roller, see cam card below), roller rockers, screw-in studs.
I'm installing the new cam and see a lot of play moving front to back. Is this normal, like maybe putting the distributor in removes the play? Sorry for the apparently huge pictures :-(

Thanks in advance!

Mark

 

In its current state, it is normal. More than normal even. It's inevitable and essential.

The cam sprocket clamps it to the retainer plate when installed, in more or less the frontward position you show it in. Should end up with maybe .015" or so of end play.

Don't bonk it too hard against its rearward stop in the meantime. The only thing keeping it from going all the way through the tunnel and falling out the back is that giant freeze plug looking thing back there.

 

bolt on the timing gear and that stops the moving

forged rods/crank and cheap pistons

-good combo

make sure you gap the top ring loose, them hypers like popping the heads off when the rings butt

 

Sofakingdom - Thanks! That makes sense, I'll be gentle with it until I install the timing chain assy.

 

bk2life - I'll be sure to gap the rings towards the larger size of the range. I chose hypers as, from my understanding, forged pistons tend to slap/make noise when cold, more than hypers or cast. Also, the factory ones were hyper and they lasted over 300k miles with no issues and they are stronger than regular cast (though they can fracture/shatter easier, I believe). So it came down to noise/smoothness vs ultimate forged durability. Street engine, true daily driver, near stock build so not looking for massive performance out of it. I was leery about cast cranks as the ones I was looking at were out of stock/long lead times, I had read stories about people having issues with recent cast cranks being poor quality and/or damaged from factory and I considered a forged crank a no-downside upgrade (other than cost, which I could stomach).

 

Your bottom end sounds fine. Nothing wrong w hyper pistons. I have them in a blower motor and its fine. Yeah, they can be an issue w poor tuning but, plenty of engines use them. It sounds like a solid setup. The mild cam and bottom end sound perfect for a baby blower down the road!

or just a reliable setup!