Cam Button - do I need it?

[AJs72K5]

I finished up the bottom end of the engine over the weekend. The new cam is in and degreed. Timing cover is on. However, the cam button I had was too long. My builder friend said that in the type of engine we built (BBC 454, Comp hydraulic roller with .485 lift, edelbrock heads, flat top pistons) that the cam button wasn't really necessary. Is he right??

Here's the timing chain before we degreed it and put the cover on:

 

[4X4HIGH]

I finished up the bottom end of the engine over the weekend. The new cam is in and degreed. Timing cover is on. However, the cam button I had was too long. My builder friend said that in the type of engine we built (BBC 454, Comp hydraulic roller with .485 lift, edelbrock heads, flat top pistons) that the cam button wasn't really necessary. Is he right??

Here's the timing chain before we degreed it and put the cover on:

Cam button IS required if using a roller cam and there is no cam trust plate. There are a couple different varities of cam buttons. It is also highly recommended to weld a steel plate to the stock cover or buy a new cover for use with a cam button.

 

[AJs72K5]

Cam button IS required if using a roller cam and there is no cam trust plate. There are a couple different varities of cam buttons. It is also highly recommended to weld a steel plate to the stock cover or buy a new cover for use with a cam button.

The Comp adjustable timing chain that we used has a bearing built into the back of it so that it won't eat up the thrust face. Does that make a difference?

 

[4X4HIGH]

The Comp adjustable timing chain that we used has a bearing built into the back of it so that it won't eat up the thrust face. Does that make a difference?

That is a thrust bearing. You NEED a thrust button, a roller cam wants to "walk" out the front of the block.

Here is a good article on camshafts and thrust buttons. It also explains about TAPERED cam lobes on flat tappet cams for the person who was giving me grief in the past about it (you know who you are and you might benefit from reading this article). http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/49161_set_roller_cam_endplay/index.html

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

That is a thrust bearing. You NEED a thrust button, a roller cam wants to "walk" out the front of the block.

Here is a good article on camshafts and thrust buttons. It also explains about TAPERED cam lobes on flat tappet cams for the person who was giving me grief in the past about it (you know who you are and you might benefit from reading this article). http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/49161_set_roller_cam_endplay/index.html

good article