What are the early signs of a com lobe going flat? I have an engine miss and can't figure out what it is.

reduced performance
valvetrain noise
pop pop pop pop when you jump on it
metal in the oil
Yugos kicking your arse going uphill

How engine-smart are you?
You have a miss, any other issues?
Some comments on your combo and age of your combo would be appropriate

I have an engine miss at low RPM some where between 1500-1800 rpm, over 2000 and it runs perfect. When I start my car in the morning I also here a lifter tick for a few seconds and then it goes away. I recently had my heads off and checked the lifters for wear but had none. My cam has no more than 10,000 miles on it.