Question-------------------------
Hi STEVE
WOW! What a reply. You certainly know what's going on with engine building.
I don't know if I told you but I'm a65yr. ol' young man THANK GOD. I've been bless with a young body and mind. Although my lovely wife would disagree . . . lol
In all seriousliness, You have give me a very good foundation of knowledge about what to look for; what to ask.
But most of all you are so kind as to ask around to your friend concerning a auto machine shop that on the ball.
Steve I didn't know you come from Las Vegas.
We live in Henderson. SunCity Anthem if you know where that is?
Steve I would be so greatful if you'd be so kind as to enquire about your friend regarding a auto machine shop.
Steve, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'll be looking forward towards your next e-mail concerning this most important matter.
GOD bless you and your family.
Ray Monaco
Henderson,NV
P.S. Steve if you'd think its best to have me phone number let me know.
Thank again.
Ray
Followup To
Question -
Hi Steve
I very new at taking an engine apart but I did it.
I got the block down to its shortest level. Everything is OFF of it.
And ready for: THE AUTO MECHANIST.
Here's what I got and hopefully you can help me with a THE CHOICE.
I have two people who have had engine work done on their engine and say that they were statisfied.
1. Had complete engine work done and is happy. However I found out the the machanist didn't tightened a screw over the air cleaner and the darn thing dropped into the crab and eventually into the piston and BANG-0 he had to do some work free to correct HIS mistake. But yet the people were happy with his work. (frankly I don't under-stand that stuff?
2. Got a friend of mine said he was happy with what his auto machanist did on his engine and that was that ~ that's all he said.
And finally, I looked-up a auto-machine shop on the Better Business Bureau an found a shop that had NO VIOLATIONS for the past 36 months.
(So far so good) I didn't speak to him YET.
Last but not least: I was watch TV and out of the blue comes an adversizment for: NEVADA VALVE TRAIN and low and behold ~ they are totting they plan which is:
Seven (7) year Warranttee or Hundred Thousand
(100,000 miles) Warranttee.
STEVE: WHAT WOULD AND WHO WOULD YOU TRUST YOUR ENGINE BLOCK TOO ? ? ?
Hey Steve as you very well know and I'm finding out with the books and articles I read. If the guy at the auto machine shop[ doesn't do his job the right way ~ I'M DONE 4
Steve this is my first engine rebuild. I don't paying $ $ $ within reason, but don't make a fool out of me. I mean here I am walking into a machine shop not know the guy who I trusing my engine too. The only thing I got to go on is:
Other people's experiences with a shop or a shop that gives me warrantee's and I better read the fine print also.
So Steve here I am a 65yr. ol' young man acting like a scared kid.
Steve I'm in your hands.
I'm finished.
Thank you Steve
GOD bless you and your family
Mr.Ray Monaco
Las Vegas,NV
Answer -
Ray-
Well...finding a good machine shop is a lot like finding a good doctor. You ask friends AND make phone calls. Heck...even show up in person to ask questions and get a look at their shop. The best machine shops will be pretty clean...especially by automotive standards. If you walk into some filthy dive, turn around and walk right back out. I'm not saying they won't do good work, but any good mechanic knows how to keep a shop clean. I've been in some machine shops where I wouldn't have thought twice about eating off the floor (but those are rare and generally mail-order operations).
When it comes to questions, ask them what they do for what they charge. Do they hot-tank the block? This is pretty essential to clean the block. Do they mangaflux? This checks for fine cracks, but not everyone does it. Do they hone the cylinders with torque plates? This ensures a really straight bore. Torque plates mimick the load put on a block when the cylinder heads are bolted on and will distort the block slightly so that the bore matches up more with the finished product. This, to me, is an essential part of any build up...especially if you have performance in mind, but again, not everyone does it without being asked. Ask them what kind of machinery they use. This might not mean much to you, but sometimes machinists don't even know. If they have to think too long, walk away.
Last but not least, double check everything. Like your friend with the screw in the intake, even the best shops will make small mistakes sometimes. A quick once over can spot any problems if they exist more often than not. In his case, the shop did the right thing and took care of it without charge. Trust me, that's not always the case and it speaks well to the shop's ethics and reputation. The BBB is only a so-so tool when looking for shops. Most people only go there if they've had an absolutely horrendous experiences...and even then sometimes not. The BBB is basically just a babysitter. In the end they don't even know half the story. Maybe most importantly, see how well the guy (or girl) you talk to understands what you want and the best way to get it done. If you're on the same level, chances are you'll have a good experience. If you'd like, I can ask around in my circle of friends (I've got a few from LV) and see if they know any good shops in that area. Let me know. Hope this helps.
Steve
AnswerRay-
Actually, I'm not from Vegas. I've lived the better part of my life here in Kansas (usually Kansas City, but I'm in my final semester of college in a little town called Pittsburg in the southeast part of the state). I just happen to know a few people who are from Vegas and into the performance and racing scene in Kansas City. After a little asking around, I've heard some good things about Universal Automotive & Engine Rebuilding, Nevada Valvetrain, and a place called American Engine Installations. Obviously I haven't seen any of these places first hand (only went to Vegas once, for my 21st birthday. Needless to say I don't remember much of it), but I trust these guys as far as their knowledge of what a shop should look like and what kind of quality they should put out. Apparently Universal also has a special interest in performance applications, if that's the way you're trying to go with your build. Even if you're not, performance engine builders tend to build motors to much closer tolerances which results in a higher quality product. Hope this helps.
Steve
