New cam issues,

I think that if you are first worried about rust on the cam and now nicks in the lifters you are barking up a tree that needs to be barked at.

If you want advice from people on this form to see what you are looking at, Well that not gonna happen. They can not see what you are seeing.

I could be in on the cam but damaged lifters???

Its your motor but I would not run them and I am freakin cheap.

Wipe your cam and you are out the cost of lifters before you even replace the cam and lifters due to coolant, gaskets, Oil etc.

Just my 2 cents.

Most cam failures are due to lifters not rotating.

Damaged lifters are probably not going to rotate.

I have some used lifters that I will give you free of charge that look better.