How to identify cam in SBC 350?

[John510]

I just bought a rebuilt longblock and supposedly it has a crane 111431 cam in it. How can I tell? If I pull the timing cover will I be able to see the cam part # or do I need to remove the sprocket and chain also?

Have to ask before I rip this baby open for nothing.

Thanks

[WS6]

It will be etched on the very back of the cam. You'll have to pull the cam out to verify with certainty. Or measure lift at the back of the rocker where the push rod is and see if it corresponds to what Crane says that cam should have. Granted that's only one variable but it's easier than pulling the cam.

[Scott Parkhurst]

Good advice from Trey above!

Measuring the lift from the back of the rocker (where the pushrod is) is a viable method- but don't forget to multiply that measurement by the rocker ratio (1.5 on a stock rocker SBC) to get the advertised valve lift figure.

Or, you can measure valve movement at the retainer to get the actual lift number you've got (rocker ratio included). This will correspond to the mfr's specs with a 1.5:1 rocker....if you've got 1.55s, 1.6s, or 1.65s, that'll all change, but you can do the math to figure out what lift is w/ a 1.5:1 rocker easily enough.