Ok ladies and gents, heres my problem.

I am in the midst of putting together an 89 Chevy 350(.030 over, 11:1 comp, yadda yadda) and i purchased a Crane Cam Energizer series cam(.500" lift, 302 advertised, and 242 @ .050), the cam fits in the block, but when i go to attach the retaining plate the timing gear wont fit, and it rubs, and the lobes inside the block are way off center. I have talked to a couple buddies of mine and none have run across this problem, i called Jegs(who i bought it from) and the guy said that i would need a roller cam, which i currently have a hydraulic cam. the block is from a 89 truck(like a blazer or something) the casting number on the block is 14093638, which is a 4 bolt main, and can use either a roller or flat tappet cam. and if i just dont use the retainer the timing chain wont be straight. So what do i do?? is there a bearing type spacer i can put it so the timing chain will line up and i then use a cam button instead of the retainer? or can i just get a roller cam/lifter set? Does the roller cam set up require anything more than the "8" shaped brackets that keep the cam from spinning? or should i just put the old cam back in with new lifters? help me before i cry

 

If this is a flat-tappet cam (sounds like it, with so little lift), you can't use the retainer plate. You don't need it anyway.

Leave the retainer plate out and use a regular 3100 series timing set.

If it's a "retrofit" roller, use the regular set, and a cam button.

If it's a "factory" roller, it should use the retainer plate.

 

you are right, it is a flat tappet cam, sorry if i misled you, now do you recommend a certain brand for the timing chain, and should i use a cam button too? thanks a mil, i have no need to cry now

 

No You dont need a cam button. You only need a cam button when doing a roller cam since the lobes on a roller cam are ground flat unlike a Flat tappet which are tapered. So in order to keep the cam from walking you use a cam button...etc. Unless its a factory roller block then you use the retaining plate.


Comp, Crane..etc make good Timing Chains

 

now, just for my own knowledge, when you mean ground flat do you mean the way the lifter travels on the lobe, or do you mean a "side to side" look at the cam, like it is shorter to the front of the engine and taller at the back(or vise versa, which ever way it goes), i am curious and trying to picture this in my head and for future knowledge.