Cam button / stock timing chain cover

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360duster

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Hi Guys, is the stock timing chain cover sufficient / strong enough when a roller cam is used? I plan to use a hydraulic roller in a 512, have got the comp cams 206 cam button to ride on the cover. Small block guy doing this swap the first time, so any information is appreciated. Thanks!

Michael
 
Many people reinforce and use the stock timing cover, I did once, and then switched to this............

AREngineering timing cover

It is the only cover I would use now in a MOPAR big block roller cam application.
 
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Hi Guys, is the stock timing chain cover sufficient / strong enough when a roller cam is used? I plan to use a hydraulic roller in a 512, have got the comp cams 206 cam button to ride on the cover. Small block guy doing this swap the first time, so any information is appreciated. Thanks!

Michael

I wedeld a stainless steel washer in my timing cover for the button to bump against , will still have figure out the .007-.0010 clearance on the button...

you can further reinforce it with the correct shims , between the cover and the water pump > like some old chevy boys did -----LOL
 
I welded a washer to the front of the cover so it would rest up against the back of the water pump.

IMG_1059.jpg
 
A little bra ket off the back of my Meziere waterpump with a piece of lexan pushing against the painted moroso timing cover.

20221208_135716.jpg
 
yes, of course BB. There are some good ideas, thanks for that. I´d like to use a cover like Andys, but it seems that i have to live with the stock one due to the budget.

Michael
 
yes, of course BB. There are some good ideas, thanks for that. I´d like to use a cover like Andys, but it seems that i have to live with the stock one due to the budget.

Michael
Not bein smart, so please don't take it like that. Cause lord knows if anybody knows budget, it's me. But if you think a big block Mopar with a roller cam is a budget build......See where I'm goin? Save your pennies. That's a badass cover. It'll be the the last one you ever get.
 
Been dragging my feet a bit on this one. When I step forward I plan on doing the AREngineering cover. Waved by to budget build when I decided solid roller. Might as well keep going.
The cover looks good. Should be less prone to leak. For me I would feel better about my measurements.
I wonder about the nylon button versus bearing with this option though?
Kinda thinking nylon? Less potential for failed bearing pieces in engine?
How often do cam buttons have to be checked? This could also be a consideration to modifying stock steel or buying the aluminum one?
 
The Comp Cams 206 cam button it’s not nylon anymore. It’s made from Carbon fiber.

DD0E77C8-4182-4958-81F8-76F92DB4D69F.jpeg


118A0586-BA8B-49B8-A336-FBB6DB1586A6.jpeg
 
How does carbon fiber hold up compared to nylon? Better? Just as good? I'm unfamiliar with it other than the tacky *** bling factor some people use it for.
That’s a good question. I don’t know if I’d want carbon fiber particles running through my oil.
 
That’s a good question. I don’t know if I’d want carbon fiber particles running through my oil.
Kinda what I was thinking. "What if it fails?" would always be in the back of my mind. Maybe it's stronger than what I think.
 
Kinda what I was thinking. "What if it fails?" would always be in the back of my mind. Maybe it's stronger than what I think.
I remember back in the day replacing the timing chain in my 442’s. They were nylon covered gears, and they failed causing nylon pieces in my oil.
 
I remember back in the day replacing the timing chain in my 442’s. They were nylon covered gears, and they failed causing nylon pieces in my oil.
Correct. A lot of the manufacturers used the nylon coated camshaft sprockets to reduce noise. It's always been funny to me how much they tried to make things quiet and at the same time make them way less efficient and durable. Just like hydraulic lifters. Only two reasons they came about. Noise and to eliminate adjustments. I've seen a brand new replacement nylon camshaft sprocket fail on the first turn of the engine. It was a long time ago, too and a made in USA TRW replacement set. We got a Cloyes all steel double row and never had a problem with it. That's something that they just never should have done.
 
That's interesting that comp cams is using the carbon fiber thrust button. I may go that route. It's the latest and greatest right
Hmm.
 
Doesn't the oil pump and distributor keep the cam from walking forward on a BBM? The counter clockwise motion of the distributor gear would push the cam back. I'm I off base?
 
Correct. A lot of the manufacturers used the nylon coated camshaft sprockets to reduce noise. It's always been funny to me how much they tried to make things quiet and at the same time make them way less efficient and durable. Just like hydraulic lifters. Only two reasons they came about. Noise and to eliminate adjustments. I've seen a brand new replacement nylon camshaft sprocket fail on the first turn of the engine. It was a long time ago, too and a made in USA TRW replacement set. We got a Cloyes all steel double row and never had a problem with it. That's something that they just never should have done.
I agree.
 
That's interesting that comp cams is using the carbon fiber thrust button. I may go that route. It's the latest and greatest right
Hmm.
It might be, let’s see how long it last. You would think the carbon fiber would harden and crack just like nylon being heated over and over.
 
Doesn't the oil pump and distributor keep the cam from walking forward on a BBM? The counter clockwise motion of the distributor gear would push the cam back. I'm I off base?
I heard the same thing.
 
A friend of mine says there's no way the cam can move forward and hit the timing cover on a BBM, SBM yes. Even with the timing chain installed. ????

WTF? A small block has a cam retaining plate. It can’t move forward. A big block doesn’t. It relies on cam lobe taper to keep the cam centered in the block.

Going to a roller eliminates that taper and you have to keep the cam from moving forward in the block.

Sound familiar? Same thing on a cheap assed SBC.

Buy a Milodon gear drive and be done with all that junk. Buy once, cry once.
 
Has been brought up before wether the button is necessary or not. Many posts later the verdict seemed to be it was necessary. Seems to be a very small portion of people that go without.
The rollers do not have the shape of the lifter or cam lobe to to keep the cam from going forward.
I am going with the aluminum cover. If I do not go that route modification of the stock cover is not that big of a deal.
 
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