I'm wondering how to properly identify a used camshaft so that I don't 'get the shaft'?

 

I guess to truely check for a used cam, you would have to measure for taper or wear on the lobes.

 

look for light scratches before and after the point of the lobe a new cam wont have them

 

The camshaft should have numbers, check those with the manufacturer. If it's installed in an engine you can get the duration and lift with a degree will kit. The lift can be checked with a vernier or micrometer, by measuring the lobe height and subtracting the base circle from it and multiply by rocker ratio to get valve lift.

 

yeah wow these pills must be kicking my *** cause i read and did not understand sorry

 

OK. Thanks all.

 

A used cam will have obvious wear marks on it.

Rich

 

Did you mean "used" as in having been run in an engine, or did you mean "without documentation" which specifies the grind or lobe profile, lift and LSA?

You got both answers above, but I'm curious as to what you wanted to know.

 

I meant "without documentation" which specifies the grind or lobe profile, lift and LSA.

 

If you REALLY want to know, and it's a custom grind, and the lobe numbers are not etched on the back of the cam, you should Cam Doctor it (or use an equivalent system) and correlate that with known lobes.

If it's an off the shelf grind from Comp, Crane, GM, etc. there should be a number which you can check as sssalah said.

IMO, used cams, (or unmarked cams) are similar to used brides; you don't really know what you are getting into.