measuring a cam?

[devilsalmostfree]

does anyone know how to measure the lobes of a cam (thinking it stock), while in still in the block? i have the plenum, lower intake, & heads off! my dad thinks that maybe 1 of the lobes have lost some of their size, i guess u'ld say, & we took a lifter & a ruler of some sort, turned the engine with the crank bolt & tried measuring it that way! its on a 95 camaro 3.4l, on 4 & 6 cylinder we got the same measurements, but on cylinder 2 it was a bit shorter then 4 & 6! went to 1, 3, & 6 cylinder, & they were all shorter then 4 & 6! any help would be appreciated!

[techsan23]

Re: measuring a cam?

You can get a cam lobe check fixture from jegs or summit that works with the heads on or off. I think people usually take measurements with the heads and rockers on to account for any deflection in the pushrods.

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: measuring a cam?

cool thanks man!

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: measuring a cam?

as long as my lifters dont have any grooves wore in them, & they r still flat, is my cam still good? or ccan u go off of that?

[Leonard 3.8L]

Re: measuring a cam?

I found this on Summit



http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[cam98aro]

Re: measuring a cam?

as long as my lifters dont have any grooves wore in them, & they r still flat, is my cam still good? or ccan u go off of that?

in some cases you will not be able to tell

your lifters should NOT be flat, they should be slightly rounded at the bottom, if they are flat, they need to be replaced

but in all reality, you cant tell what the cam looks like by just looking at a lifter.. i have a camshaft laying around for an SBC, hydraulic, flat tappet, and all of the lifters look perfectly fine, but one of the lobes on the cam is worn down ever so slightly (to make it clear.. a person with no automotive knowledge would never be able to tell that it was worn down at all)

[cam98aro]

Re: measuring a cam?

why dont you just take the cam out?

the v6 cam should come out without removing the radiator or anything, and if you already have your heads/intake off, it shouldnt take very long to pull the cam out

i really have no idea about these v6 engines.. but i would assume you would need to take the water pump off, timing cover, and oil pump off and it should just come right out

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: measuring a cam?

yeah i could just take it out, but im not really wanting to, its no big deal though, i might!

[cam98aro]

Re: measuring a cam?

yeah i could just take it out, but im not really wanting to, its no big deal though, i might!

yeah really!

plus if you take it out, you can see the condition of the bearings, if they look good, then you will know somewhat of how the other bearings in the engine look like.. could be a good indicator IMO