I'm not here to bash the guy but I paid him for a flathead cam. He cashed my check February 10th. Said it would be done in two weeks. After two month I'm a little pissed since I can't get a reply by phone or email. I've left several messages and sent half a dozen emails. With all that said did this guy die or disappear? Does anyone know what's up or did I just get ripped off. Buyer beware.
I bought a poly 318 cam from him about 6-8 months ago without any trouble. He was very helpful when I called back needing better break-in and setup information. He even asked me to call him back after I fired the engine to let him know how it all worked out. He is hard to get on the phone though, I don't think he works very long hours anymore. I had the best luck calling Mon-Wed before noon his time.
I'm getting a little concerned myself. I sent Chris a cam several months ago and then a check when he called a few weeks ago and said he was almost done with it. Still no cam. Called him to find out if it had shipped but he doesn't answer phone or return calls. Must be something going on.
In previous situations like this, I have done a google search to see what the persons neighbors name and phone numbers are and called them to relay a message. They may even have info if he has fallen ill or something also.
I just got my flathead cam back from Schneider. I dropped it off at Eglin cams (local) last December, he said it'd be done in January. In February he said it'd be done by March. First week of March I went up and got it, untouched. Sent it to Schneider first week of March, they said two weeks. Took five. Had hoped to get my engine together over the winter. That's why I do as many things as I can myself, unfortunately cam grinding isn't one of them.
I had an E-3 profile ground on my Olds cam by Pete1 on here, he got the cam on a thursday, and had it in the mail on its way back to me on Monday. I was amazed how quick he was.
Any cam you get from Schneider, make sure you degree it. They sent me three cams that were ground incorrectly. We all make mistakes, but 3 out of 3 is complete incompetence.
If I recall, Chris had a stroke a few years ago, but know he was back at grinding cams afterwards. Don't know how old he is but he's gotta be getting up in years, been around a long time. I got a cam for a 392 Hemi from him back in the mid 90's, very helpful then, and quick turnaround.
I bought an intake manifold from him years ago and was very happy with the transaction. A while back I tried to get some information on a cam-shaft by e-mail, then telephone. No dice. Hope he's OK.
I hope he is alright also. He seemed like a straight shooter and he has a good reputation and that's why I went with him. Will just have to wait and see I guess.
Farmington is in that stretch half way between Ogden and Salt Lake I'd think someone in that general area could do a bit of asking about him. At least about his health and well being.
I talked with Chris about a week ago, he said he was doing ok but as Ebbspeed noted, Chris had a major stroke a few years back and although he is moving, he is not a fast as he once was. Being 70 is one thing but add the repercussions of health issues and you get........ If you are worried about your cam then ask him to send it back as-is and find another grinder. There are thousands of us out there in hot-rod land. Chris is a good guy. .
When my dad had his stroke even though he got medical help rather fast it aged him 10 years almost over night. I wish Chris the very best. -Dave
Degreeing a cam is always recommended... What was ground incorrectly? I got a Chevy 292 6 cam from Schnieder's a few months ago and it was right on specification ....This is not to say they don't screw up..
I will check in on Chris I live between his house and shop. He normally returns my calls or I will get with some of his close friends they should know
I talked to Chris when I acquired a Desoto 330 in good shape. He told me to send the cam to him when I start on the old Hemi and he would grind it to my specs. By the way, he is THE designer of the profiles for Comp Cams' Thumpers. He can do whatever a customer desires. I believe him to be a rare businessman, honest and truthful. Get well soon, Chris. I still hope to convince the wifey that a third rod will be OK as long as it is Hemi-powered ! ! !
When decreeing in a cam I would always check it a few times and I always wrote down where the value was for every degree of rotation. Checking center lines also a few times just to make sure it was right. I always hated when I had to call the person who had built the engine and tell him that the cam specs were wrong! It tricky sometimes and it takes patience to do it right. Jimbo
Offset: I agree with your comment. As we all get a little older having some comp***ion is a wonderful thing! I know with my business when I make a mistake and maybe forget to ship something I always say that it might be time to fire myself!!! This would really make my wife happy because she thinks I should be retired and not still working six day's a week. Jimbo
Not to highjack, but why do so many people seem to have problems with camshafts these days? I am having a flathead built and drop shipped the guy a Schneider cam and lifters from Red's because even though I've personally never had a problem with isky, I read horror stories on here. Now, I see people mentioning degree problems with Schneider and all sorts of other cam companies. What gives?
I know Chris well as i am also a cam grinder - he has had trouble with the city wanting to take his land and he was going to have it out with them. he might have died trying as I have tried to contact him my self- he was going to start sending cams my way to do while he moved if he had too?? But I charge more than he does. For Harmon & Collins cams we have all the masters and two of the original cam grinders of that Company.
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