JRCivic1

The small square recessed in the corners of the head casting are typically .040" (+/- .001-2") deep on a stock head casting. Not exact, but a good start to get an idea of how much has been shaved off.

As for whether you need to degree stock cams for a shaved head... you decide. Every thousandth that you remove from the head retards the cams because the timing belt is a fixed length. To build it right... you degree. Otherwise, you are "hoping" to make maximum power.