[aldfaa]

Converting a 97 GM Goodwrench crate motor to a roller set-up. Purchased a GM Performance 24502586 - LT4 Hot Cam Hydraulic Roller Camshaft and of course have a GM thrust plate installed.

Purchased a Cloyes timing set P/N 9-3157 Thinking this was right because it specified for the vortec engine.
Engine Size 5.7L/350
Beginning Year 1996
Ending Year 2002
Engine Family Chevy small block Gen I
(L31)

With the thrust plate installed the snout of the cam is flush with thrust plate.
When I went to install the cam timing gear, the thrust face of the cam gear is in contact with the thrust plate and there is gap between the face of the cam and the mounting surface of the gear before everthing is torqued. In other words the thrust face of the timing gear that bolts to the cam snout is recessed, and with the cam snout being flush with the thrust plate, there is no way the gear can seat all the way on the cam.

Where did I go wrong? Based on the descriptions the parts should have been compatible.
Is the cam wrong or is it the wrong timing set?

[V8&4spd]

Does the back of the timing gear look like this?

[V8&4spd]

Does the front of the cam look like this?

[V8&4spd]

They make small block roller cams that are not cut for a cam plate. If that is what you have you will need to use a cam button.