Roller cam conversion - cam button
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Roller cam conversion - cam button
Out of curiosity, why would I need a cam button if I were to convert to a roller cam? Does the profile of the cam lobes against the flat lifters provide that much bias? Wouldn’t the distributor and oil pump drive gearing tend to pull the cam back as well?
Should I expect a lot of timing jitter without a button?
No immediate plan to convert, just looking for some education.
Should I expect a lot of timing jitter without a button?
No immediate plan to convert, just looking for some education.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
The flat tappet lifters provide the force to help keep the cam rearward. The cam would want to walk away from the distributor gear and the rollers provide no rear force like the tappets do. The cam button stops excessive forward walk as you set them up with a little distance to account for material growth from heat. Another option if you have a big block check or a 1987+ block is to get the stepped nose camshaft with the retainer plate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 1,116
From: North tonawanda NY
Out of curiosity, why would I need a cam button if I were to convert to a roller cam? Does the profile of the cam lobes against the flat lifters provide that much bias? Wouldn’t the distributor and oil pump drive gearing tend to pull the cam back as well?
Should I expect a lot of timing jitter without a button?
No immediate plan to convert, just looking for some education.
Should I expect a lot of timing jitter without a button?
No immediate plan to convert, just looking for some education.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Actually I installed a cloyes roller cam button timing cover on my first S-roller motor. I had to machine the face of it for aluminum water pump clearance and dork around with setting a .040 roller to cam clearance. I was using a billet steel multi keyway timing set and the best roller chain. The chain was actually hard to install and so stiff side to side. Well when I rebuilt the motor years later I pulled off the timing cover and the cam had never walked forward enough to ever touch the roller button. What a waste of time and money.
So the answer is to get the best timing gear and chain set. My 427 and now 434 ci Has Never had anything except the stamped steel front cover.
So the answer is to get the best timing gear and chain set. My 427 and now 434 ci Has Never had anything except the stamped steel front cover.
