Fortunately, stovebolt cam bearings aren't under a bunch of load. The valve spring pressure is pretty low, and the rocker arms don't have a very high ratio (about 1.5:1) If the bottoms of the lifters aren't worn cupped and you have kept them with the same cam lobes they've been in contact with, the valve train can probably be reused. That being said, you can definitely improve the engine's power and torque with a new Melling CCS-1 cam and a new set of lifters, if your finances allow for the cost. A new cam and lifters will probably cost around $300.00. Add a new set of cam bearings to complete the valve train rehab.
The CCS-1 cam has a somewhat longer exhaust valve duration than the factory cam that was used in the 235 Corvette engine and the 261 medium and heavy duty trucks- - - -which was a bit more radical than the normal 235 cam. By increasing the "valve open" time of the exhaust, there is better cylinder scavenging and more low end torque, without creating an objectionable idle lope and loss of intake manifold vacuum.
Jerry
