Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

What are the pros and cons of running a thrust button in a non-roller camshaft application? With the cam lobes having a 1.5-2 degree taper, it would seem that a thrust button wouldn't be needed.

Block is an early small block Chevy, not the later block with the cam thrust plate. Cam and crank gear are in perfect alignment (checked with the intake on and the distributor in).

Thanks! -Al

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

Has your cam tunnel been corrected? In a perfect world no button would be needed, look around whats going on........I would use the cam button, and always do on everything.

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

Seeing the cam lobes are ground with a slight taper so the cam is always being pushed to the rear of the block.

Cam button is a waste of time and money. I have built a lot of circle track engines over the years and on flat tappet cams they need no cam button as I have never seen any issues not using one.

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

About 40 years ago Isky explained it. Many blocks have slightly crooked lifter bores, and with a roller lifter and cam, you can see the cam screwing itself into or out of the block when you turn it by hand, with the valvetrain assembled.

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

Its all opinion,use your self guidance

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

Alan,

It cant hurt anything. If the cam does not move forward, then the button will just sit there. If the cam does move forward, the button will stop it :)

Personally I like the Teflon ones, real easy to "adjust" on the belt sander. I have seen a couple of the roller ones in pieces in engines I have taken apart, not worth the chance in my opinion.

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

Doesn't the distributor gear push on the camshaft because of the pressure required to drive the oil pump?

Re: Cam thrust button with hydraulic lifters?
 

Yes it does GM SBC and BBC has never used one with a flat tappet cam I would think they would know best.