When switching from a hydraulic roller to a hydraulic flat tappet cam, it isn't necessary to keep the cam lock plate is it? Older style blocks didn't use them correct? Oh yeah it's a roller block lo3.

 

No, no need for the cam retainer plate. Flat tappet cam probably isn't cut for it either. Note that the pushrods are longer for the flat tappet cam.

RBob.

 

Right.... your motor doesn't have a "lock plate" (goes under the sprocket bolts and has little tabs to bend up around them to keep the bolts from backing out); it has a "retainer plate" (goes between the sprocket and the nose of the cam and bolts to the lock, to positively locate the cam front-to-rear in the block).

When you downgrade your car that way and give up the benefit of the roller cam, neither the timing set nor the cam will accomodate the retainer plate. You won't use it.

 

I used a flat tappet cam in a roller block and would suggest a cam button for sure

my timing chain made it way to the timming cover

 

Not necessary....

There are probably a hundred million SBCs in the world with flat tappet cams, maybe more, and no cam button; and they seem to get along just fine.

 

Correct,

Rollers walk, flat tappets and hydros don't. Could get technical as to lobe and roller design, But,
No, you do not need a cam button.

Later