The characteristics of friction in direct acting OHC vane train system have been investigated by the comparison of experimental and theoretical results. A modified friction model was presented to calculate the friction force at cam/tappet contact. A simple experimental system was evaluated to measure the friction force and the camshaft driving torque. The friction force was measured by using the dynamic loadcell. Good agreement was found between theoretical and experimental results in friction force, but there was a little difference in driving torque.