69 225 Timing cover question

First off just wanted to say great forum, very helpfull, I am new to this place and have found a wealth of knowlege.

Question, I have a 69 with the 225 v-6 in the timing cover there is a little spring and plastic piece that seems to go at the end of the cam, what is this for and, is it a necesity? ( sorry not the best at spelling)

Thanks in advance for your help

 

I will call them a cam "button and spring"
its purpose is to keep slight pressure on the cam to keep the cam from "walking" forward towards the timing cover
some folks leave them out and have no trouble
I would re-use them
that's my opinion

 

You can't buy them anymore that I have found, none of the auto parts place have them, the GM dealer says they were cancelled about 2 years ago in there book. I currently have one hanging on the end of a piece of bar stock at work that I will finish when I go to work friday, I need to mill the little cross slot for the spring and then part it off. I am making mine out of a piece of phenolic, my original had a crack in it and I was afraid to put it back in freshly rebuilt motor!! From what I have been able to understand they were a necessity in a motor with standard timing chains in them but don't HAVE to be used if you have roller chains installed as the chain will help hold the cam from walking to some degree, I myself chose to put one back in.

 

Thanks for the Input, I guess I better find mine and get it installed or put in a roller timing set.....

Thanks again

 

The 231 uses the same piece, they are easy enough to come by.

 

Chuck I looked for 2 weeks, GM says that particular style of thrust button was discontinued several years ago, I verified this online. Unless you can find one as new old stock or remove one from an old engine I can't find a new one, if you have a source for new ones please let us know!!! The cam on the even fire motors is totally different and uses a different button.

 

Strange, I know that the spring and button on my 225 came off my blown 85 231. The 225 didn't have one in there when I pulled it apart.