Just bought a newly rebuilt LA 318 and asking about this cam that was in it?

AJ/FormS said
Are you thinking it was insufficient piston to valve,or stems stuck in the guides,or just "valve float".
I'm guessing 440 is a tappet lift spec with the heads off?
Or was it at the valve while it was still together?

With that lift, it almost had to stick a valve to make it hit the piston. That is stock lift.