Cam thrust solid pin question

[GarrettXJ93]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my stroker. I'm at the point now where i need to make the solid steel pin in replace of the stock pin and spring setup. People with experience with this... Is mild steel okay to use or would you recommend only using hardened steel? Also the machine shop put the freeze plugs in before giving the block back to me which will make it harder to measure end play. Can i gently pry from the top of the block to measure end play or would people recommend i take the freeze plug out and do it the correct way. Maybe theres a trick someone else knows? Any tips or suggestions are appreciated.

[SilverXJ]

I'm not sure how you could measure end play with the cam plug in. Maybe you could squeeze a dial indicator in there on the side of a cam lobe.

[Russ Pottenger]

It's probably not the answer that will help you, but with the timing cover on I pry the camshaft with a long screwdriver in both directions and set the end play between .002 to .008 visually. Because I've done it so much I know what that measurement looks like.

That said, that information applies to other engines but would still be applicable to a 4.0. I have never found a reason to have to deviate from the factory Pin and Spring set up. I've never built a jeep stroker engine that has had open spring pressure over 280 to 300 lbs.

[GarrettXJ93]

That was the thinking was measuring from a lobe or something.

Russ, so you would recommend just using the stock spring and pin setup?

I was thinking of finding a stronger spring as a possibility? Im not even sure what the spring is rated to.. But it seems like you know Russ.

[SilverXJ]

Its a crap design and has cause problems in not just mine, but other strokers. It is such a simple operation to set static end play that there is no reason not to do it.

[Retlaw01XJ]

I used a 'dowel pin' purchased at a Sears hardware store. Unsure of the composition, but since the front cover is aluminum, hardness isn't a huge concern.

I think I used a feeler gauge to check clearance.... slide cam forward a bit, bolt front cover on (with gasket), remove cover and check timing gear-to-block clearance with feeler gauge.

[Russ Pottenger]

The part number from Jeep is 8350 2890 for the bolt, pin and spring package.

You shouldn't have any problems if you go the solid pen route, but with that said I personally haven't experienced any problems using the factory set up.