It will butt up to the Timing chain cover and stop the cam from "walking" front to back. there needs to be a min amount of endplay when you install it. If you have too much you can adjust the timing cover depending on what kind you have. Looks like the button you have will adjust itself.

Bolt the timing cover on (test fit) and using a flat head through the valley try ti move the cam back and forth. If it moves to much, you need to adjust.

That just seems very 'rigged' for the timing cover to hold this piece in.

and just what is this adjustment on the timing cover? its a thin piece of stamped sheet metal 

chevys 

To adjust thrust play....ummm, put timing  cover on block,  and hit it with a BIG HAMMER 

something just doesnt sit right with me about that.....

you chevy guys sure rig stuff weird.

Brad:
1. assemble parts
2. put grease on inside of timing cover and install cover with a couple of bolts (make sure thrust button in place)
3.Rock cam back and forth too see what you got.

Not much else you can do...make sure you bend tabs on lock plate.

Ive only seen them installed on roller cams....... but what do i know

so is this a roller cam only deal? or should i be installing this for my solid flat cam?

It is best  to use thrust button  assy on BBC and SBC ALWAYS to help prevent block thrust wear. 

so is this a roller cam only deal? or should i be installing this for my solid flat cam?

Brad,, I am a couple of days late, but I like the idea of using a cam thrust button with any cam.  Not so much for the possibility of wear, but to keep the ignition timing from bouncing around too much. 

There are a number of different cam buttons and lock plates.  The lock plate should be large enough to go over the thrust button, but small enough to hold it in place once it's bolted tight.  The thrust buttons come in several different lengths, I keep several on the wall so I can usually make something fit without too much grinding.  The newer polycarbonate plastic ones are pretty cool, since they are easier to remove material from than the aluminum ones,, or in your case, the steel one with the thrust bearing in it. 

I use a dial indiator, either on the rear of the cam (I leave the rear cam plug out until I remove the engine from the stand), or sometimes on a lobe of the cam through the valley if it's not screened.  I usually go for under .010" thrust.  Recently I have started to use the Cloyes aluminum timing covers with the built in thrust, adjustable after the cover is installed.  T

and these  classes are what brings out the spectators.

you can run a 429 in pro stock, GN, or K Ralph.