Degreeing a Cam, or not.....

Here is what I have found. I used the TDC tool and My TDC lines up correctly with the 0 on the Balancer/Dampener. When I measure the degrees at .050 tappet lift, (.075 spring retainer lift since I have 1.5 ratio rockers), I have the opening at 4.5* btdc and it should be 15*btdc as measured on the dampener. The closing mark at .050 tappet lift is at 57.5*ABDC not 51*. Thinking I may have a flattened lobe I checked the LIFT of the spring retainer. I got .492 on the intakes of cylinder 1 and 5, Should be .517 inch. Exhaust was .502, should be .537 on #1 cylinder. Also thinking that my dial gauge may be off I measured a drill bit with calipers at .481 and then measured the dial lift and it was bang on. I am confused by this. Wrong cam?

What are you using to measure lift with and where?