This faq came about after a discussion on the SabMag email list for Sabre and Magna owners. Check out www.sabmag.org for more information, and for subscription information to join the mailing list.
At one point, we discussed having an exchange program, with a cam grinder keeping a finished set on hand, ready to ship. Customer would send a cheque to cover the re-ground cams, and another cheque as a "core charge" or security to ensure that the old cams would be returned to the grinder as quickly as possible. Similar to what is done when you go to an auto supply store for a rebuilt carburetor, you will be charged for the rebuilt carb, plus a "core charge", which is refunded when you bring the old one back to the store.
Most of the information I have learned about cam grinding, I learned from Geoff Bardal when he was at Shadbolt Cams. Since that time, Geoff has left Shadbolt to start his own cam grinding business, and, as far as I know, Shadbolt is being sold to a company that only wishes to work on industrial cams for the engine rebuild industry. Geoff wishes to concentrate on the performance and specialty cam business, and was the driving force behind Shadbolt's excellent service to the customers that used Shadbolt's services before his departure. Geoff's new business is:
COLT CAMS, #54 - 3347 262nd Street Langley, BC V4W 3V9 TEL:(604) 856-3571 FAX:(604) 856-3572 www.coltcams.com
I talked to Geoff a couple of times about the exchange idea, and we came to some conclusions:
Make sure you always maintain your valve clearances, because the base circle (the round, low area of the lobe) is not hardened by Honda.
If you are talking to a different grinder, find out if he can weld the lobes, and what kind of rod and powder he uses for the job. Also, ask if he can check cams for hardness. If the answers are kind of vague, or something like "they're all hard" or something like that, he doesn't check them, or doesn't care.
After grinding, all camshafts must be "Parkerised(tm)". This process puts a coating on the lobes to hold the oil during initial break-in. If this is not done, the oil will not stick to the cam, greatly accelerating wear during the first few hours. After the break-in, the pores of the cast iron will have absorbed enough oil to "wet out" the surface of the lobes.
Usually, a molybdenum disulfide (moly) grease is put on the cam lobes and journals to provide lubrication until the oil pump gets oil to the lobes. Do not use Lubriplate(tm), as it has been known to plug oil holes sufficiently well to prevent oil from getting through. Lubriplate(tm) is a high temperature white, lithium based grease, and works well as a permanant lube in sealed environments (gear boxes, etc.), but these same characteristics prevent it from melting and moving out of the way in oil passages until very high temperatures are reached. By then, damage has occured in other, downstream, areas of the engine.
Similarly, do not apply STP(tm) to the lobes and journals, as this probably will cause your oil bath clutch to slip. We have enough trouble hooking all this power to the transmission, without aggravating the problem :-)
Geoff can also do a couple of modified cam profiles for more performance. The wilder versions may need piston modifications, and these grinds should be discussed with him before you order them.
I then called Canada Customs, and discussed the border thing with them. The gentleman I talked to felt that if the package was labeled something like: "Used motorcycle camshafts, for remanufacture (or reconditioning) -Value $4.00 each X 4 = $16", they would slide thru Customs quite quickly, as they are not interested in collecting the small amount of duty that they might be worth. He estimated one day or same day through-put. This applies only to US/Canada Post, not UPS, etc. The paper work would cost more. This would only apply coming into Canada.
I then called US Customs, and after 3 people, came to the conclusion that "rebuilt or repaired" parts would probably fall under NAFTA, and have no duty attached. The Postal worker in Seattle said to label the package "Returned US Goods" Merchandise value $XXX Remanufacture value $XXX". The tariff number would be 8409.99.99.90 and the rate number would be 9802.00.50. and would fall under a "informal entry under $1250.00"
The Postie said that if there was any duty, it would be charged at a rate of 2.2%. He didn't sound very sure when I mentioned that the border clerk at Blaine had stated that they would fall under NAFTA. For the $5 duty, I don't think it would be worth the hassle of arguing with them. He said that the parcel, if dutied, would have to be picked up the nearest Post Office to the addressee, as the PO would act as Customs Broker.
At that time, I asked Trenton Schoeb trs@uab.edu
to talk to people in his area, and his return follows:
< Hey, Art. Talked to US Customs over in Jacksonville re sending cams US to
< Canada.
< 1. Don't need shipper's export paperwork since value less than $2500.
< 2. Ship ordinary USPS. You are supposed to register items w/ Customs, form 4455.
< You have to take cams w/ you to Customs office for this so they can
< "inspect" them.
< 3. Return is similar process. Shipper takes cams (in case they want to
< "inspect" them again) and invoice showing value of repairs to US Customs
< office. Fill out form 7512 declaring value of repairs, required for re-entry
< to US. The 2 guys I talked to were "almost certain" it would be duty-free
< under NAFTA, but to be totally sure, a customs "import specialist" would
< have to look it up. Worst case is 2-3% duty.
< I would imagine that USPS etc. encounter situations like this frequently
< sending stuff into US and might well have some tips for streamlining the
< process.
To add anything to this FAQ, please send comments, additions and flames to:areitsma@uniserve.com. If you have dealt with another cam grinder, and have had good results, send me their name and address, and I will start a list.
Hope this helps,
Art Reitsma