yes you can. just use an 87-99 small block timing set (the oem single roller is a good piece that doesn't break the bank), make a spacer where the retention plate goes, and run a cam button.
you will also need a set of retrofit hydraulic roller lifters.

 

A spacer to compensate for the lack of a retention plate! I missed that, thank you. Any idea how thick the plate is? What to use for a spacer?

 

Rework the block face to accept the real, live thrust plate?

Braze/silver solder some nuts to the block that accept the bolts holding the plate?

Be a shame to have a step-nose cam and not use the thrust plate to retain it.

 

Unless you got a step-nose cam at a really good deal, it sure seems like a kludge to get the retainer plate, cut the mounting ears off, get the cam button, etc.




If you look at a Gen I small block, there's just no place to do it. The surfaces are a bit uneven. It's not like a big block that has a nice flat area surrounding the cam area.

-Dave

 

from what i've read, you just use a roller cam retention plate with the mounting ears cut off to make the spacer... the instructions that came with the HOT cam that i bought for my Nova back in the olden days (1999) said how to do it...

 

other than the timing chain stuff, it's no different than putting in any other hydraulic roller cam.. stock GM roller cams can be had for dirt cheap and make plenty of power for a cruiser/daily driver.