My Dad bought his first Olds in 1942 just before GM switched to tanks. He also bought a new1950 2 door V8 and later a used 1957 J2 coupe.
He was an expert mechanic.
After a short time, he learned about the flattened cam lobes. After consulting with the local Olds dealer he installed a recommended replacement camshaft kit that came with a new set of valve springs which were concentric pairs for each valve. He was informed that the ORIGINAL valve springs were the factory caused reason for the extreme camshaft lobe wear. Too Stiff ?

 

I recall hearing (back in the 60's) that it was a"batch" of 57 cams that were soft. NOT all 57 cams, just some. Your Dad may have installed some parts (cam & springs) that were developed by Oldsmobile and Lee Petty. There was an article in Hemmings that told a story about the J-2.

 

56's also had a batch of soft cams but I don't think it was a spring issue just soft cams..... Tedd

 

I hadn't heard about the 56's before, thanks. Cams and springs were pretty conservative back in those days. "3/4 race" and "full race" cams with about .400" lift.