Re: What do you look for in a Machine Shop?

Posted by Ken Crisman on May 07, 2014 at 23:02:24 from (204.210.205.24):

In Reply to: What do you look for in a Machine Shop? posted by 4x4stude on May 07, 2014 at 21:57:54:

Several yrs ago , I took the 1952 Ford 6 cyl OHV engine which I had completely torn down , washed inside & out plus had thorouly soaked it thru my Electrolysis system to remove yrs of built up & baked on crud . Plus derusted everything . Then I painted the inside with Rustoleum Red Oxide primer . I figured after talking with a couple local car buffs & getting tips for best machine shop preperations that it was ready . Then I got a recommendation for a machine shop & auto parts operation . So I loaded everything in boxes , hauled it about 40 miles to talk to the owner & machinist . The owner gave me two estimates . First was to do all the machining only . Second was to do all the machining ,provide all new parts , rebuild it & have it all ready to install into my 1952 8n Funk conversion for $1250.00 plus tax . So I figured why not since I've never done a full rebuild myself . Well about a month or so later , the guy called to say my engine was finished so come & get it . I drove out & parked by the shops big door to load it up . I didn't see an assembled engine so I went & found the owner . He came out to the shop with paperwork in hand . With a tow motor , they started searching for my engine amongst an assortment of others sitting around . what they gave me was a bare block , my head which I had already done by another machine shop previously & boxes of misc parts . To beat it all , they had lost the fan/hub assembly which as would guess was unreplaceable now days . He did provide some of the new parts needed for assembly but said being the cylinders bored out at .060 in order to be aqble to clean up the walls & he didn't have the new pistons / rings for it so I'd have to do a search . Guess what my bill was for his so called completely rebuilt & ready to install job . it sure wasn't what he promised me & I do wish i would've gotten it all in writing when I left it off . It cost me $1895.00 plus tax . By the time I was fortunate enough to locate a replacement fan/hub assembly out in California I had another $90.00 plus s/h invested . And it was the only one still available & I called all over looking . Next the search for new pistons , rings & pins which I found thru EGGS for another $500.00 (if memory serves me rite) .Then came the gaskets I needed . So that engine rebuild got me into around $2800.00 by the time it was done .So after my long story , my recommendation for you is to always be honest & a man of your words with people . Especially newbies with no experience because word of mouth can be damaging to your future . Also have official work write up forms & estimates . Get signatures .Honesty can't be expressed strong enough . Now I have a flathead Ford v8 engine which is thorouly prepped & ready . So, I hope to send to a more trusting machine shop this time soon .My only problem I know of up front is my finances for this rebuild . I will have to somehow coat it with some kind of preservative & bag it until someone drops some moola off at my door (teehee).Good luck in your plans & God bless , Ken

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