I have a non roller block (but it is machined for it)...do I just need a button or is there a factory retainer plate that I can use?

I completely forgot what I researched over a year ago on this

 

if the block is machined for the thrust plate i think you can use it without the button

 

You're going to use retro roller lifters right?

 

i thought that if the tops of the lifters bosses were machined flat then you could use the OEM dogbones and spiders? i figured that is what he means by machined...but who knows..

 

A cam button will not fit in the bolt circle of a factory roller. The only way to make it work as far as preventing cam walk would be to machine for a retainer plate.

 

I always screw this up in my head, but I remember the oil passage along the lifter is a bit too high or something as well? Well, maybe that's wrong, but either way, how's he going to bolt down the spider? That's one of the big problems with it.
So i'm assuming he's using retrofit rollers.

 

There are the 3 raised bosses along the spine of the cam journal. They can be drilled and tapped for the lifter valley spider.

 

From what i've seen, non roller blocks didn't have a raised boss, or at least have enough metal to make it safe to drill and tap there.
If it were me, i'd do it, but i'd braze a stud in there to make sure it's not going to leak, or come loose or anything.
but anyway, we've strayed away from the topic of "retainer plate"...

 

Hey guys...my 350 block is from a 1990 Suburban. Apparently they drilled and tapped this block to accept the spider (three bosses in the lifter valley), even those it wasn't roller from the factory. I also think there were provisions tapped on the front for this cam retainer (I don't know for sure).

I have a ZZ4 roller cam and roller lifters from a 305 block. I didn't take any measurements yet, but i'm just making the assumption the lifters will work.

 

The only thing pertaining to the lifters themselves are the tops of the lifter bosses. They need to be milled flat to accommodate the dogbone. Other than that, the lifters will fit just fine.

 

I'm talkin about the camshaft itself thrusting towards the front (cause its not a flat tappet which are tapered to push towards the rear along with the oil pump gear).

 

I know why roller cams require thrust buttons. And as long as the front is machined, drilled and tapped for it, the factory cam plate should work. I was talking about the lifters.

 

Oh...thank you for the input verifying the lifters will work...totally over my head

I hope this cam plate doesnt cost $100

 

Can't be more than $5-10 bucks at a junkyard. Any factory Gen. I SBC with a factory roller will have it. L31 Vortec's use the same plate. I believe LTx motors as well. Could also try the for sale forum here, or even eBay.

Looks like this: