Camshaft install question

[ChaseBBC]

On a bbc I installed a hyd roller comp cam and lifters. It had flat tappet. the kit only came with a cam button. Do I need a cam thrust plate along with the button or will just the button do the job? It already has the holes drilled for the plate so no biggie if I have to use one. Thanks in advance

[kwmech]

Who's kit is it and what do they say?

[ChaseBBC]

haven't called yet but its comp cams complete kit.

[ChaseBBC]

magnum 280hr sorry

[kwmech]

Instructions? sometimes with a button, a reinforced front cover is needed so the button will not wear a hole through it. Engine out of the vehicle?

[ChaseBBC]

Annnd there closed today. yea the engine is on a stand. doing a complete overhaul on it.

[ChaseBBC]

yea I was thinking I'll just have to get a nice timing cover $$$. just another excuse to dress it up more lol. I'll keep researching and give em a call Monday morning.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by ChaseBBC

On a bbc I installed a hyd roller comp cam and lifters. It had flat tappet. the kit only came with a cam button. Do I need a cam thrust plate along with the button or will just the button do the job? It already has the holes drilled for the plate so no biggie if I have to use one. Thanks in advance

You dont use the old flat tappet thrust plate on a roller cam install.

Because all roller cam lobes are ground flat instead of tapered like a hydraulic or solid cam, it is necessary to provide some means of holding the cam back to the rear of the engine. The thrust button rides between the front of the timing gear and the back of the front cover, and can be shimmed for proper end play in the cam. Both solid nylon button and roller thrust bearing styles are available. Wear plates eliminate the wear at the front of the block and are moly coated.

The wear plate is a round thin washer looking piece with an internal hole sized to fit over the cam journal diameter.

I noticed a glaring issue that I feel you should address...

I see from your pic that both front oil gallery plugs are drilled out with a 1/16" drill...really bad news for oil pressure...
Suggest you follow the following:
Remove both oil gallery plugs, and replace the driver side with an un-drilled plug...then
(1)drill a new blank plug for the front pass side lifter gallery oil passage with a .035 drill so it sprays oil on the rear of the timing chain gear and chain
if its a .035-.039 hole it will provide a bit extra lubrication without causing a problem with your oil pressure, just be aware of that drill size, basically a 1/32"-#72 drill, so use a drill press and take your time those bits are easy to break...

If this engine failed due to oil pressure low issues...you just found the reason...

[Mike C]

The cam nose is different for a factory roller cam block's retainer plate. On my HR conversion I used a button but I bought the Summit timing chain (Cloyes it looks) with the thrust bearing to protect the block.