Putting my 1966 442 400 ci engine back together.
The book I have talks about a spring and cap that goes over the bolt that secures the cam gear and fuel pump eccentric that acts as kind of a thrust washer. The engine was completely disassembled when I bought the car, parts loose in buckets, nothing organized. Don’t know if the engine had one or not. Question is, do I need one? Thought I read somewhere that there is an actual thrust washer that is secured by the two oil galley plugs….maybe?
Any input would be appreciated……Tom

 

Factory did not use cam buttons, the cam bolt has a raised head to act as a cam button of sorts.

 

The fact that this book you are using has that basic info wrong should raise questions about the validity of any other information in it.
In any case, the direction and angle of the distributor gears and the slight taper on the cam lobes pull the cam backwards on an Olds motor, so there's little need for an active cam bumper. As noted, the OEM cam sprocket bolt has a boss on the head that snubs any possible forward motion, but it rarely contacts the front cover.

 

Thanks for the input. That being said are there more accurate books available for the Oldsmobile engines that would be a better reference?

Tom