Using the dial indicator method you have been checking with already, try getting the numbers to fill in a camshaft card, such as opening and closing events. You should be able to get close enough to know if that camshaft is worth running. Then, if you get stuck with it, you will be ready to go. With that info, you will probably be able to get closer to knowing where to install it.
You have stock pistons in the photos, so figure around 9 to 1 compression at best. So where this one appears to be ending up will still be much better than stock and not too far off from you expected to be. Then, just keep the degreeing questions in this thread, since this was all about the camshaft anyways. One stop for all the relevant info if you have more questions. This would be the cheapest route since you already have it.
