How can we identify cams from our motors?
specifically, how do we distinguish a hydraulic and mechanical cam?
well... i dont know how..
but i assume the part number should give that info?!
that's the isue, cams don't have traditional 068 XXX XXX part numbers on them
they do, I'll show in a sec
EDIT:
here is my
028109101
D (1Y grind)

as far as I know there are 4 IDI grinds:
068109101
B - mechanical 1.5 and 1.6
068109101
L - hydraulic 1.6
028109101
D -1Y, replaced by the aaz one
028109101
G -AAZ
as you can see the 109101 just repeats, so they don't put it on the cam.
the same for gasser, mine reads "048" and "D" for a A3 2.0 8v gasser cam.
BTW: isn't my engine clean? STP engine cleaner and 100% synthetic oil


and before some eagle eye starts asking, yes that's a hydraulic cam in a mechanical head, I got it that way, trying to get a proper mechanical one, or sorting the clearance issues.
not big deal, cylinder 1 has both valves too tight, but not much.
thing is.. I never heard a louder engine, I mean, I avoid starting it at night so I don't wake up the neighborhood

BTW:
anybody knows the mechanical cam base circle and lift?
I would also like to know the 1.6 hydraulic cam specs
From my old racing days: You could put a mechanical cam in a hydraulic motor but not the other way around. Mech. cams are ground with "quieting ramps" that slow the valve train return so that it wouldn't slam home. Hyd lifters afforded some cushion and so this was eliminated. A Hyd cam in a mech engine will work but should be louder.
Is there such a thing as a performance turbo cam, and who makes them?
thanks, that explains the racket this valvetrain makes

so as I understand it, the hydraulic cams are ground with the raw motion curve, and the mechanical ones have those ramps right?
I always thought otherwise, that the hyd ones had a special profile in order to "pump" the lifters or counterbalance the cushioning
so basically I should focus on rebuilding my hyd engine and leave this franken alone. now that I know where the noise comes from