Is there a way to tell lift and duration? I have a degree wheel, but have only used it to mark the balancer/pully with timing marks. Do I have to be really smart to use it otherwise.

Cheers... Brian

While you’re checking with the dial indicator, also measure the lobes at 0.050” opening and closing.  Be sure to also check the opening specs at 0.006” and at 0.015”-0.019”.  Either of these could be the advertised duration points of measurement depending upon the brand of camshaft.  Once you do both the intake and exhaust lobes, then there is enough information to calculate the lobe centerline of the camshaft.

I would also recommned checking the lobes on more than one cylinder.  The #6 cylinder is easy to check as it shares the same TDC as #1 on the degree wheel once the wheel has been properly set up.  The results will only be as accurate as your degree wheel so make sure you have exact TDC located on the degree wheel.

The car had a 312 from factory, but the casting numbers say 292 , and a mechanics receipt says it was bored .060 over... so I dont know if he kept all the swinging parts and the "G" heads from the 312 to put in this "replacement" block, or if it is simply a reworked transplant, or what.

I'll be dropping the pan for clues on the mains and crank this weekend.

Cheers... Brian