camshaft question/ ranting

[Tessie McMillan]

A while ago I posted a query about improving the cam in my '88 80Q and 
several listers wrote to describe their successes/advice, especially with 
272s and 276s. During this time I was not able to source a cam (like a 
Schrick or Blau or whatever), so under the esteemed advice of local 
folks, I sent my cam down to Elgin Cams in Redwood City, CA to be 
reground as a performance cam. Dema Elgin is reputed to do great work -- 
at least judging by all the 911 racecars here that have cams by him.

Well my question is, does anyone on the list have actual experience with 
Elgin's setup in Redwood City, CA? If you do, what, for chrissake, is 
the secret password to get access to him?????? I would like to talk to 
him directly about my cam as neither I nor my mechanic can get past the 
clown who works at/guards the front desk. Said clown has been sitting on 
my cam for 2 weeks now and says they won't even look at it until Monday 
and I think the only reason he is saying that is because he forgot about 
my cam. I don't know how that is possible because we filled out an entire 
sheet with spec info, plus both I and my mechanic called him beforehand.

We've been through the "I don't remember anything about your cam", to "oh 
yeah, you just wanted a street grind", to "well we can't work on your cam 
because it was oil-starved", to "well actually, we're pretty busy right 
now and the turnaround for us to look at it is 2 weeks". Then he'll 
launch into a lecture of overlap and timing vs power band and throttle 
response ... and buddy, I don't want to hear it. I've been patiently 
grinding my teeth on the phone and wasting a lot of long distance 
minutes but not getting past this desk person.

The worst is that I've had to pay for a rental vehicle for 3 weeks now and 
that is costing me a chunk o change.

OK, so maybe if you don't have the answer, you can share your worst 
repair story and I won't feel so bad... or send a virtual cup of tea... or 
virtual case of wine ...

Take care,

Tess
in Bellevue, WA USA