New Timing Cover & Oil Pump End Clearance Problem

It turns freely without binding but when I wiggle the distributor drive shaft I feel play, is that normal or shouldn’t it have any play?

 

You need the end plate on to check it that way.

 

If there is .0015 clearance from the gasket surface to the gears that's great. Or if they protrude and have the necessary shims.

 

If you have side to side wobble of the long gear mounted shaft, thats not great.
Should be minimal side wiggle otherwise your gear will wear into the pump cover because of it.
.0015 straight up and down gear end play with cover torqued down is great if thats what you mean.

 

Thank you to everyone for your help & support. Final assembly in progress, looking forward to hearing the 340-4 come back to life. P.S. my first time assembling a Buick motor...fingers crossed.

 

Your engine looks GREAT!
As Mart said, if you mean you have .0015 up and down movement (gear end play) that's PERFECT!!

 

Thanks Mark, yes Mart was correct it was .0015 up and down movement.

 

.sounds like your measuring incorrectly

 

I measured with a straight edge just like the diagram and also with dial indicator after cover was torqued down. Is there something else I’m missing?

 

NOPE

 

Great pictures, each one tells a story!

 

digging the all allen bolt look. looks modern, purposeful.

 

That's AWESOME clearance being you measured after the cover was tightened, that's the most accurate as your measuring the pump "as run"...… Good job!

 

The machine shop I work at redid an amc engine replacing front cover with cheapie. After customer couldn't seat distributor we got engine back. Myself I check everything. And then some. I guess the bore for dist was off+ you could see it gouged up trying to get it to mesh. This is a Chevy shop. LS. When I get Buick covers off I put em on the ground. I usually have a Silver Seal cover in stock

 

I don't understand what yah mean?

 

Me either.