1275 Cam Specs - Standard

[pakiwi]

I am going through the parts in the engine and I will be replacing the cam in the future when I get some upgrades. How do I check if the cam that I have is within specs to be used again. The points of the lobes are quite shiny, which I am guessing is due to excessive wear.
I have measured the lobes and each is 1.342 - 1.344.
Bearings are 1.372, 1.622 and 1.665.
Any help would be appreciated, or is it ready for the bin.
Cheers
Allan

 

[Morris]

The best way to check your cam is with a dial indicator https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=623
on a magnetic base https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5645. If you don't already have these tools, they are pretty good to have around... and they are real fun to play with.

Basically, you put the shaft of the dial indicator on the push rod (this may require removing the rocker pedestal assembly) and turn the crank until the rod is at it's lowest point. Then zero the dial and turn the crank until the indicator reaches it's highest reading. Record said reading and repeat the process for all lobes. If all of your lobes measure within a few .001s of each other, you should be fine. Be sure to compare intake lobes to intake and exhaust to exhaust. On my car the lift is the same across the board, but yours may be different.

I will add this last piece of advice: I spent a lot of time and effort (and a little bit of money) justifying keeping my cam. At the time, I was having a difficult time finding an affordable replacement. Now I dearly wish I had chunked my cam while I had the engine out and before I replaced all my lifters. Now I need to pull my motor again and throw away all the $$ spent on lifters. So if you have the drive, time and cash, you may consider just replacing the cam now and saving yourself headache down the road.