I'm finally getting around to my timing gear repairs.

From posts to the original question and from archives I'm guessing the spacer should stand proud of the brass retainer - by some degree. In fact, the spacer sits behind the new brass retainer as installed. The old brass retainer was worn down about 1/64th" from the old cam gear hub - that's about the difference between the old, untouched spacer and the new brass retainer. Should the new brass retainer sit flush, proud of, or behind the spacer?

I have an almighty fear of knocking out the cam galley plug, so I'm being cautious. With that in mind, I'm finding no play forward or back in the cam. Rotates fine. Any thoughts on whether a lack of front-back play relates to the spacer sitting shy of the new brass retainer?

Last question. The hub front of the crank gear. It won't budge. Any thoughts on pulling it?

*** I did build a cam gear puller from George's specs - 1/2 an hour build time and 3 bucks in parts - works like a charm. Expecting the same from his crank gear puller - two bolts, two nuts, two washers and a Hard Maple scrap.

Craig