Yes- - - -the "cam card" should be preserved by the owner/engine builder and its information is gospel for the life of the engine. Anyone with the unmitigated gall to call himself an engine builder should have the ability to degree a cam and duplicate the information contained on the card if he's dealing with a cam of unknown origin. All that's needed is a degree wheel, a dial indicator, and a basic knowledge of how an engine operates. If the cam details are known, it should not be necessary to deviate from the published clearances. For an initial run-in of an engine when I'm dealing with an unknown cam, I gently take out all the clearance on both rocker arms with the piston at TDC on the compression stroke, and back the adjuster screw off 1/4 turn. That assures there won't be any tight valves during warmup.
Jerry
