The lobe tips force the cam to the rear, pulling the cam gear towards the thrust plate. The oil pump drag also pulls the cam toward the back. Torrington bearing in full effect.
The lobes only pull the cam towards the plate if it's a non roller, so not true in every case. The lobes on a roller cam are ground parallel.
The oil pump drag would force the cam against the plate. Especially a high volume pump. Any force pushing the cam against the plate, that load is not taken by the Torrington at all. Yes if there was a force trying to push the cam backwards, then yes the Torrington would take the load. Many of those milodon plates are chewed up on the inside from the thrust pressure and lack of oil.
