Here's a thought.
Of course, using an automated, motorized cam checker will always get you the most reliable reading, because it's virtually infinite in its input-output readings.
But one of the other advantages is that it automatically minimizes slack between the fixture and the measuring plunger.
I'm wondering if making a complete revolution of the cam for each degree of measurement might not smooth out the reading.
There's likely an infinitesimal amount of slack between the cam and the fixture that could be minimized by always coming up on the lobe in the same direction and from an equal distance.
Think torque wrench.
Or think guitar.
On a guitar, you want to tune "up" to the pitch, not take it down. This keeps the attack of the tolerances constant in the tuning keys with respect to your measurement (pitch of the string).
If you approach the lobe measurement with the same idea, you would advance the lobe 361 degrees, take your measurement, advance it another 361 degrees, etc., keeping the attack of the tolerances always on the same relative side of the fixture.
Huge difference? On an acceleration flank, I think maybe so.
As a former bass player, I get your analogy.
Methinks your proposed solution is too complicated for the accuracy of the tools generally available to the average racer.
Consider this: The accuracy typically achieved by Cam Drs and Cam Pros comes from three areas.
A) Accurately made fixtures.
2) Higher resolution encoders are used. .1 degree resolution rotary encoders and 50 millions resolution linear encoders.
d) And lastly, and most importantly: Data averaging. 10 data points per degree are used to average the readings. This is nothing more than "smoothing" at the data
accumulation level.
One thing I have noticed is that as I import my older Cam Dr files into P/T's Cam Analyser, the program is notifying me that the data "might" have a "few" bad data points. Although all the Cam Dr data was accumulated on a fixture with high resolution encoders, I think this is because the original software may have "smoothed" the measurements too much by data averaging. When the raw data is imported unfiltered into other programs, the data comes under the scrutiny of newer, more powerful software. Some of the newer cam analysis software data averages at 100 data points per degree . . . . . . .
I think the best solution for hand data accumulation is this:
Measure every 2 crank degrees (or 4 crank degrees) with an high resolution electronic dial indicator. Using a high resolution linear indicator with less data points allows the software to "data average" upon input. This at least saves your sanity . . . . . . . .
http://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-digital-electronic-indicator/dp/B001DC96YK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=182VEQBS9HBDQNMK4SWN#productDetailsApprox $75 USD. No doubt available elsewhere.
Use as large a degree wheel as you can fit to your setup, at least 11"/12" diameter. If you don't, you are just not serious about the measurements. Some photos:
That engine elf looks familiar . . . . . . .
Fordboy