OK I'm going to pull out the original motor 89 Formula 350 (180K+miles). I've rebuilt what I've figured was a L31 short block. Basically the stock equivalent Howards cam and everything else OEM. Did the original L98's have/require a cam button? I haven't sealed up the oil pan or timing cover yet.


I did the timing chain on the original motor about 5k miles ago and there was not one in there.

 

Cam buttons are for those running a roller camshaft in an older flat tappet block...so no, you do not need one.

 

I thought so but there was so much mis information out there. The cam plate holds it where it needs to be right?

 

Roller cams are held in place by the retaining plate bolted on the front of the block. Flat tappets are held in by the tappets themselves. Since they have no plate, they need the button to push the cam against the timing chain cover.

 

Flat tappet cam = no extra cam retainer needed

Factory roller cam and block = cam retainer plate (block is casted/machined and tapped for plate to fit)

Retro fit roller cam in a non roller block = Cam button. (no place on the non roller blocks to bolt the cam retainer plate, so they use a button between timing gear/cam and timing cover to keep cam from walking forward in block)

 

Thanks for clarifying. My explanation does read a bit nonsensical.