Damn, talk about coincedence. I just ordererd a new frpp steel thrust plate for my new 354 build,because I don't trust the original cast piece. You can order one online at Mustangs unlimited and they will ship tomorow, should have it by wednesday. I think it was $54. Just orderd mine 10 min ago.
the kit cam with a spacer to put in front of the cam, and then we put the plate and snap it went. now another question. do i need the spacer????? it wasn't on before it came with the kit. plus if you do put it on the cam is gonna be pushed about 1/8th into were it goes.
dunno..... they sell those timing kits as like a universal app for a 302 some of the older car has spacers etc. IIRC My new chain came with the spacer and i did not use it, and my alignment came out right, something you just have to check i think
The Camsahft endplay if I remember right should be between .001" and .007" with a limit of .009". So with the thrust plate on, the cam should move back and fourth ( In & out) this far measured with a dial indicator.
So if it sticks out before putting on the plate something is wrong. You don't need a spacer if the endplay is O.K. , but you have to check it.
The one from Summit is a roller thrust plate it has a torrington roller bearing on the cam side, notice the cutout on the plate? I have a Danny Bee Racing one which has the same thing, so the front of the cam rides on a roller bearing instead of the flat metal plate.
Summit says it's for a SVO block but ALL small block cams will fit so I don't know what exactly is different for that plate. If it would fit it would be a great buy!