Projects Trying to find a competent machine shop. Bigger challenge that I thought

@Roothawg we have a good machine shop here in Garland, Texas that is competent in old stuff as the owner is a hot rodder/ Pontiac guy too. They did a great job on a 400SBC for my Pops El Camino. Republic Custom Engine

 

Google Wayne Calvert in Denton they do good work and have been around a long time. Talk to Wayne or his son Randy tell them Frank told you to call.

 

I found a good machine shop a few years ago to turn down the bearing races on an early Ford rear end bells. But they since have closed. I found another near me but it took them 2 months to port match an intake to a head. Good, but really slow.

I haven't had them do any work, but I would second Republic Custom Engine here in DFW. I've hear great things about them.

 

Try Schmidt Machine in Fairbury NE. They do all kinds of vintage engines. Over the years I've had good luck with them.

 

The problem is there is a shortage of real machinist, but lots of C&C operators.

 

What does competent mean exactly.
There are plenty of competent machine shops around,,,with competent workers .
If you have the money,,,they will get right to you .
If you are looking for the best,,,”lowest price,”,,,,,they will get to you eventually.
When I go to my guys shop,,,,,I ask what it will cost,,,,,I tell him up front,,,,it will be cash .
He tells me his price,,,,,,I go okay,,,fair enough .
He stays about three weeks behind,,,,,,because they are busy .
Super accurate work,,,dead on the sizing,,,,,mics perfect ,,just like it should .
I can’t ask for more,,,,,,they do dyno work as well,,,,,really good guys .

But,,,,I don’t know of anyone that is stupid enough to warranty an assembly with used components,,,,where they would be liable for any failure .
A 60 + year old block and crank,,,,,rods that are maybe that old,,,from another manufacturer.
Nor warranty a cam and lifter break in,,,,,,I wouldn’t.

That is a cool old engine,,,it will make good power,,,,and run very well .
Be cautious on the internal mods,,,,,it can go wrong sometime .
Good luck,,,I hope it goes swell .

Tommy

 

Tommy,

The only part that will be original to the engine is the crankshaft, which is factory forged piece. The rods will be brand new H beam and the pistons will be custom forged. The cam was ground by Bullet and is brand new.

All of the rocker assemblies will be brand new and converted with Harland Sharp adjustables.

If they made aftermarket HP Caddy parts, I would buy them, but they don’t, so I have to look at other options, which are using Oldmobile 455 rods which are just a bit longer than the originals and have to be narrowed a bit. Nothing a competent machine shop couldn’t handle.

The original rods has a gazillion miles and the Lord only knows how many hours on them.

If they won’t stand behind a motor they machine and assemble, I don’t want to do business with them anyway.

For what it is worth….

 

I can see where you’re coming from, but I know of no shops(machine shops or others) that will warranty even labor, if you bring your own parts in.

 

Sorry Root ,
When you stated before Olds rods,,,I thought you meant factory original,,,not aftermarket Olds H beams,,,,should be good rods .
But even then,,,,,hope you can find someone to build and warranty it,,,,most shops I know won’t touch it on a dyno,,,,,too many variables to go bad .
Dyno s are funny,,,,you never know how an engine will run on a dyno .
Most say,,,if it lets go,,it’s just yours to take home !

Tommy

 

No worries. It's all bench racing anyway.
I can see why folks go the crate engine route. It's way easier.

 

The biggest problem they have is lifter failure, all of them come from offshore. I have recently seen 3 engines with the proper cam lube and using Joe Gibbs break in oil go flat after break in. They are having a hard time getting quality lifters.

 

BUT NOT AS MUCH FUN!! Try doing a straight eight. At least it will be something different when the hood, if there is one, is lifted.

Ben

 

David Rogers Garage and Machine Shop in Scranton, AR., very good and very busy! Builds a lot of race engines. 17776 N. Highway 109. 479-938-2580

 

How many hours and or abuse on the crank? Are Caddy cranks known to crack, yes forged cranks can break...Just asking...I know your problem, took me a few years to find a shop

 

Not that I know of. Caddys are low RPM, so I am not super concerned about it.