Do I need my heads machined?

[hondaman]

I'm replacing the cam in my 1981 C10 305ci

Truck has 120k miles.

I have the gasket kit which includes the head gaskets.

I was thinking that while I have it this torn down, I might just replace the head gaskets too.

Is it really that necessary to have the heads done at a machine shop?  Or would I be ok simply replacing the gaskets?

[DnStClr]

With a new cam, you want the valve springs to be doing their job, so a good machine shop can do a valve spring compression test on the springs to let you know if they're up to it. At the same time the head can be checked for valve leak-down and the surfaces can be checked for straightness.  I'd suggest doing so. To get the heads re-done might just save that new camshaft.
jmo. I'm interested in seeing what some more thoughts on it might be.

[Irish_Alley]

if you want to tear it down that far then get a the heads redone and maybe new/bigger valves

[hondaman]

I suppose I should have added that the new cam is out of necessity, not for performance.  I've got badly worn lobes.

[winky]

i would assume your replacing the lifters as well? Irish alley kind of mentioned it but if you don't want to, you dont have to remove the heads to replace the cam. and the machine work just depends on how you feel about it. Ive replaced quite a few cams and never removed the heads andd i haven't had a problem yet these were all DD vehicles not anything that was getting romped on. If i was in a pinch or my truck started popping push rods on a cylinder or two i would just replace the cam (pulled the old one out of my mud truck and put it in my 87 that started missing) ive had pretty good success with that. BUT if i was putting a cam that wasn't stock or was in something that was going to be abused i would have it all checked out. its almost like buying insurance on the cam replacement