Figuring out Cam Lift

[friesza]

I was just wondering if there is a way to figure out how much lift my cam has without tearing into the engine....Could I put an indicator on the rocker arms and get an accurate measurement? I was just wondering as I bought this engine from a trusted person but he did not know the specs other than to tell me it would need at least a 2000 to 2200 torque converter...he said it had a noticeable idle but not radical....the engine has been broke in with only 1500 miles on it.
Thanks:toothy9:

 

[Rob Eppler]

Dial indicator on the push rod end of the rocker. Multiply this by rocker arm ratio..usually 1.5:1 depending on the quality of the rocker arm. This method will be "close" but not as accurate as the dial indicator on the cam lobe itself. This will not help you with duration unless you have a degree wheel on the crank. And if your going that far, pull the intake and do it right on the cam lobe or a lifter.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Rob, your avatar always makes me smile. You got a big shot of that? sorry to highjack. I couldn't help myself. drool drool

 

[T67POWER]

If you don't own a dial indicator you can buy them at harbor freight and then you buy the magnetic stand that is adjustable.
I think i paid $14 for the dial indicator and $10 for the magnetic stand.

Use the top of the spring retainer and make sure that the dial indicator is as parallel and strait as possible to the valve stem.
I always use a solid lifter and an adjustable rocker arm for this but it might get you close if the lifter didn't bleed down too much.
It would be nice to at least know what company it is so you would have something to compare it to.
You won't be able to get the max lift number but at least you will have a general idea.

 

[friesza]

I tried what you said about off the pushrod end...but something does'nt seem right....the indicator only went to .120 and was not bottomed out..I guess I will buy a gasket set and tear into it....on a note I looked through spark plug hole and hardly any build up on pistons and cylinder walls looked excellent...exhaust valves look great too...just frustrating not knowing cam specs...there seems there has to be a way...

Also where would the part number be on it? I am willing to take off intake and front of engine to get to part number....especially if I swap out cam.

 

[fishy68]

I tried what you said about off the pushrod end...but something does'nt seem right....the indicator only went to .120 and was not bottomed out..I guess I will buy a gasket set and tear into it....on a note I looked through spark plug hole and hardly any build up on pistons and cylinder walls looked excellent...exhaust valves look great too...just frustrating not knowing cam specs...there seems there has to be a way...

Also where would the part number be on it? I am willing to take off intake and front of engine to get to part number....especially if I swap out cam.

The lifter probably compressed. I have never had any luck measuring lift on a hydraulic lifter without using a light weight valve spring. It's much simpler to get a valve spring compressor and put a checking spring on a valve and measure the lift than pull the intake. Just a thought.

BTW: You realize valve lift is probably the least thing that affects how an engine runs and what stall speed it needs, right? Duration is the factor that determines mostly how an engine performs.

 

[friesza]

The lifter probably compressed. I have never had any luck measuring lift on a hydraulic lifter without using a light weight valve spring. It's much simpler to get a valve spring compressor and put a checking spring on a valve and measure the lift than pull the intake. Just a thought.

BTW: You realize valve lift is probably the least thing that affects how an engine runs and what stall speed it needs, right? Duration is the factor that determines mostly how an engine performs.

Yeah I know duration is...but he did say it was comparable to a purple cam...I just figured if I got the lift I could guesstimate...anyways I bought a new performer intake today so I will just measure from the lifter...

 

[friesza]

Well measured on the cam lobe and only recieved .240 of lift...that being the case I am guessing a stock cam....as .240 x 1.5 = .360 lift...so took heads off and at least it has flat tops that are pretty much flush with deck....guess I will order a new cam and lifter set.