Engine rebuilder in the Los Angeles area, any recommendations?

I'm looking to get my 1955, 322 Buick Nailhead, rebuilt. Can anybody recommend a good engine builder.
I don't want any fancy smancy engine work done, just a good reliable engine, with maybe a cam
What should I expect to shell out for the job, I know it's not cheap.
Thanks, Chris

 

I know it's not LA, but Russ Martin is up in the Bay area and is a genuine Nailhead guru....

 

I am currently working with TG's in Lawndale on a sbc. He came highly recommended.

TG's Machine Shop
15151 S Prairie Ave, Lawndale
310-679-3604

 

I had TG's in Lawndale do the machining on the 350SBC in my dodge, and the machine work was great.

Most of my other engines were either machined or build at Manhattan Machine Shop (ask for Ron or Scott) in Manhattan Beach.

 

Call Larry at Valley Head. Every time I drop by the shop they are building SOMETHING old and *****IN'. The other day I saw two early Hemis, a Packard straight 8, some WILD air cooled Euro thing for Jay Leno, a Pontiac, two Studebaker V8s and a little MC TC 4-banger--not to mention a couple of flathead Fords. These guys are the best--not cheap, but superb work at a very fair price!

http://www.valleyhead.com/

 

Hey, I appreciate, all your replies, how much do you guys think this is going to set me back???

 

Depending on what needs to be done and how far you want to go--somewhere between $2500 and $7500.

 

a gazillion-million dollars............its like a flathead.....they are wallet snachers!

 

I got one quote for $4200, just for a stock rebuild, I kinda expected that, but I was hoping for a little less.

 

I just quoted doing a 401 for a customer for $3400 including the cost of the engine.

 

I've got a buddy that works here. http://qmpracing.com/
Its in chatsworth. I haven't had anything built there yet, but I'm going to take my 57 DeSoto 341 there when I'm ready to build it.

 

****** hell, I paid $900 for the engine

 

Vellios
4625 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Lawndale, CA 90260 ---310 643-8540

They have done all my motors and I am very pleased.Most recent was a 394 olds.....NICE!

 

Who did Piero's nailhead, from his Coupe?

 

I paid $150 for my running 401 nailhead last year.......

Try B&T Performance in LaVerne (Pomona area) or Speedomotive in Covina

 

It's not a nailhead Bob..... 331 Cadillac

 

Word of caution, if you supply your own parts, like a crank, scribe it to make sure you get the same part back. One of the above mentioned builders tried to subs***ute a cast crank for a forged crank.

 

Call Ron at RD Machine 818-882-0500. He does alot of old iron. Stand up guy, quality work, fair price. He's in Chatsworth CA.

Craig

 

there is this guy named VAN who is always at the lb and pomona swaps. HIT ME BACK FOR HIS #. GOOD GUY, FAIR PRICES

 

+1 for Larry Ofria and Valley Head Service

his smile alone is worth the drive.

 

can't do that with a Nailhead, there are no cast cranks...

I told him I'd sell him a 401 core for $600...

 

We use Taylor Engines in Whittier, been around for over 60 yrs ( Taylor & Ryan fame) brilliant people , talk to Jay Steel, engine guru. 562 698 7231 you won't be disappointed.