Unfortunately, I agree with peep. Either fix it and enjoy it or sell it as is, in pieces. Once in a while a soft cam gets thru the inspection process before assembly or a lifter wasn't hardened right. It happens. Don't throw away a good engine by not replacing that cam.

 

He had one lifter go south. Everyone knows you can put a new lifter on an old cam. lol. well?

 

Yeah, you can do anything you want, BUT the new lifters will be trash in short order if the cam lobes aren't flat. Remember the valve spring seat pressure multiplied by the rocker ratio put about 250 lbs of pressure or more on the lifter and more when it opens. That rubbing surface had better be smooth and flat. If the old lifters are dished at all, the cam lobes are starting to round over. That one lifter was so dished it wore a hole in the bottom! The edges are chipped by riding on the base part of the cam. Also remember when the cam lobes wear, you lose lift.

BUT you can do whatever you want when it's yours.