Hi Grash,
As long as the timing plate holes are not countersunk, the tapers on the spindles won´t cause the shims (ET98/1) to dish.
To aid fitting spindles, assemble the spindle together with cam or follower and 1 extra shim (E95(cam) or ET98(follower) + nuts and put in the freezer overnight.
Heat cases to 200°c for a good couple of hours, carry out to garage or down to cellar where your spindle assys are waiting in a coolbox. Tap each spindle assy into place (it really should only need a tap).
After the last spindle is in place, remove the nuts (starting with the first spindle, it should have heated up enough to be gripped by the crankcase), and leave to cool.
As the cases cool, they retract the spindles in a little, but you´ve calculated for this by using an extra shim.
If everything is as it should be (all assembly are exactly the same width on the spindles, you´ve cracked it. If not, now comes the task of lining up the spindle ends so that the steady plate pulls down flush and at the same time enough clearance for the various components is present. (Your´re lucky, you only have 3 spindles to match up ;-)
Leave this until the crankcase halves are back together and done up tight!!!
Don´t worry if you have to pull out spindles a little to line up the ends (ends of the spindle shafts and not the threads) using a slide hammer, you can compensate with shims to attain correct clearance (thats why shims are there so use them!!). I´ve even put extra shims behind the followers to get them full contact with the cam before.
If done properly, you shouldn´t have to touch the timing side again for a long time.
On assembling, it is very easy to pinch the E95 shim/s between the spindle end and the steady plate (falls off the spindle and onto the threaded portion). Use clean oil for assembly and look before nipping everything up.
Thanks for the tip but the new spindles are 0.375" all the way. I'm very limited on equipment (verniers, drill press and assortment of hammers) but as best as I can, the bottom half of the hole ie the bit I've not yet wrecked, measures 0.370. I dont know the exact material, but most engine alloys are listed having coeff of expansion of around 20 x 10^-6. At 0.375 diameter and a rise of 180 degs, this will give a change of approx 1.3 thou diameter. This means I still have an interference of 3+ thou. I suppose as soon as the spindle starts to warm up (which prob wont take very long), this will change. I need someone to tell me what such a fit feels like. Do I need to "ease" something?
BTW Vince998, had a look at the steady plate for countersinking and it didnt look too bad, but the shoulders of the new spindles are chamfered or filletted or whatever the term is, for almost half of the radial width of the edge. Presumably this is not good?
Cheers
Graham