Doesn't make sence too me why you guys are making this so hard :shock: If the cam is installed, all you have to do is set up a 2" travel indicator (you do need to know the exact cam lift) pickup the lowest point on the cam. Then rotate the engine to the highest lift C/L. Then subtract the lowest point form the highest point, then subtract the total cam lift, you then have the base circle dia.If you don't have a 2" travel indicator use a 1" and set a 1/2" spacer under the indicator at the lowest point. If the cam is not installed, you can generally mike/measure across the C/L of the cam, since most cams donot start the lift before the halfway point on the cam (this won't be exact but will get you close enough to tell if you have a small BC cam or not) I too am a machinest for over 50yrs. and have a surface plate in my home shop and micrometers 0 to 12", plus a 1/2 doz. indicators, dial bores,Height gage, etc.
Just my 2 cents
Zip.