Push rod 5.0 question

I bought a 93 cobra. The engine is granaded. Have never seen a stock 5.0 blown up so bad. Anyway I have a good running low mile 84 ho engine. It is a non roller camshaft engine. I had a Dist. Out of a roller motor which I changed gears to non roller gear on but it would not fire. I took the the Dist original to the cobra trimmed off the extra 1/2 inch dropped it in and it fired right up. My question is is it necessary to Change Dist gear or is the hyd. Roller gear compatable with the earlier non roller cam.

No, late model HO cam gear is steel. Flat tappet cam is iron, if you don't change the gear it'll eat the drive gear off the cam.

Yep, FMS catalog directs iron gears for iron flat-tappet cams (pre-85), and steel gears for steel hyd. roller cams (85-up).. what I've always followed with positive results

Except my 94 F150.    Its a flat tappet cam with a steel gear.

Thanks guys, I was pretty sure you have confirmed my thoughts