does anyone know if the camshaft retainer has oil grooves on both sides? put new cam in my 12 valve bout six months ago, while i had head off and had to put timing case gasket on it. just now getting everything together and my bud came out to time the pump last night and noticed there were oil grooves on the side facing us. did i put this retainer in backwards? i really dont remember what it looked like.

 

P/N face outwards IIRC. The camshaft thrusts to the front, so the grooves should be to the rear. I don't remember if there are grooves on both sides though.

 

I think the oil grooves are just on the inside or towards the engine and the outside is smooth with just a part number on it.

 

my retainer in my 05 had grooves on either side.

 

CR's run straight cut gears, so the cam will move back and forth. 89-02 run helical gears, which force the cam out when turning in the proper direction.