Can't push the ring too far back - it is clamped between the timing gear
and a shoulder on the cam and when installed there is nowhere it can go.
Until you put on the gear the cam with the ring is free to move back and forth,
so it is very likely both were pushed back. But if you tightened up the gear
without the ring in place it would be so tightly clamped on the brass plate
that it would be very difficult to turn the engine and you would seriously
damage something (maybe the brass plate) if you forced it.

IOW, I think it is pretty hard to pin the rose on the ring. Now if the PLATE
is not bolted down tight, the cam, ring and plate could altogether have end
play..... Hmmm.... Interesting thought!
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!