need a good machine shop recommendation

[Tacoma]

Ok... for all you engine guys, what's the good shop? I am going to need 3 motors worth of work done soon, from a simple bore job to one full-on blueprinted deal. Who have you used and have you been pleased? Has anyone had a block align-bored/honed? Does the shop use torque plates when boring the block?

Plans are for a simple rebuild of a AMC 360, possible stroker 455 Buick, and a retarded AMC stroker project I'm considering....

Thanks!

 

[Greg]

Strausburg Machine, Lindon Utah.

 

[neagtea]

Hunter machine or felts in ogden.

 

[mbryson]

.......... possible stroker 455 Buick.........

I want to know about this one!!!!

 

[Jeremy]

RPM in sandy has always done good work for me and my brothers.

 

[Tacoma]

The Buick... well, right now I'm looking at T/A Performance's stroker crank, trying to find out at the moment what the specs on the rods are so I can see if a friend of mine can score me some cheap ex-drag rods or something...
The TA kit is pretty spendy. All I need is TORQUE and plenty of it, for the M725 pig on the side of the house. It's going to be heavy all fitted out. I'm going to use on of those CustomEFI's setups too, converted GM TBI basically. Multiport is WAAAAAY too much on a Buick. And it's in a flippin' ambulance, it won't be that off-camber anyway LOL.


I have heard good things about RPM, and they're close...

 

[neagtea]

Rpm did a desert race 401 African Motors Corp.(AMC) For my friend and we beat the crap out of it for four years.They do quality work. I recomended Hunter and Felts as they complete the work more timely.

 

[mbryson]

The Buick... well, right now I'm looking at T/A Performance's stroker crank, trying to find out at the moment what the specs on the rods are so I can see if a friend of mine can score me some cheap ex-drag rods or something...
The TA kit is pretty spendy. All I need is TORQUE and plenty of it, for the M725 pig on the side of the house. It's going to be heavy all fitted out. I'm going to use on of those CustomEFI's setups too, converted GM TBI basically. Multiport is WAAAAAY too much on a Buick. And it's in a flippin' ambulance, it won't be that off-camber anyway LOL.


I have heard good things about RPM, and they're close...

The stock 455 (1970 specs) are 365 hp and 510 ft. lbs of torque. (that's gross, I'm sure)......I know it will move a 5000 lb. car pretty well. I'd just do a 'stock' rebuild with some '68-69 430cid heads (you'll need the intake as that's different from '70-76). You should be at least 315 hp to the rear wheels and pretty close to 500 ft. lbs. That should move your ambulance pretty well.

TA and Kenne Belle have some way cool stuff, but due to demand (or lack thereof) they have to charge a little to make a living. They DO know their junk, though.

 

[Tacoma]

The one I've got is out of a 76, so it's like 8:1 compression, big bowls in the pistons... The earlier heads accordign to TA have 10cc less per chamber, not sure I'm going to shell out for heads or headwork-- the newer pistons are going to bump up the CR enough I think... and for the RPM range I'll use in an ambulance LOL I doubt it will be worth the money-- but I'm thinking about it! Because I am an idiot and nothing would make me happier than stupid power in a huge uselss truck LOL... but I have to be reasonable, power costs money. If it's too much to tweak it, stock rebuild it is, and I'd be happy. Beats the Flinstone motor that's in it now.

I haven't looked at Kenne Bell yet for some reason... I keep thinking they only do v6's.


Neagtea-- it took me five years to strip the 725 LOL I'm not in a real big hurry hahah

 

[TooeleBronco]

I would have to second that Stausburg Machine recommendation. I have had them do work on a couple of my engines. They do good work from stock to all custom.

 

[WildYoats]

PRO MACHINE in Murray does excellent work and the owner has some great credentials to go along with it. They have done my engine, as well as many others that I know with great success. They are located behind the LOWES off of 4500 South and like 500 or 700 West. Dave is the owner, a real stand up guy.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Grainger Machine in WVC, great guys & fast...
Love Machine in SLC, also great work

 

[troutbum]

Love Machine in SLC, also great work

Not a fan of Love...I asked them to do some work on an axle housing, they told me two weeks, when I had called every other day for 2 months they told me, oh we can't make this work, come get your sh!t. When I went to get the stuff they had already had it in the mill and fubared the bearing caps... definitely not a fan...

 

[dunatic67]

I have dealt with many of the shops mentioned and have had great experiences with most of them. I love the Strasburgs but you have to realize racing is job #1 and everything else comes when it comes- they do great work.
C&T machine has done about 15 motors for me and I highly recommend them. They also have alot of 455 Buick experience for clients and Rod has built a few of his own. One of my friends Dads had them build a 455 for his 34 Ft Class A motorhome and he loves it. He also tows a 24Ft enclosed with his Jeep(455 Buick powered) or his Sandrail (350 Buick) inside.
Look C&T up and give them a call- I'm sure Rod would let you pick his brain.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Not a fan of Love..

Love or Loveridge?

 

[troutbum]

Love or Loveridge?

Love Machine...maybe my experience was an anomoly, but I was sure pissed, won't be back.

 

[fergusor]

RPM is the place to go. they built race motors and we also insure them.

 

[Caleb]

I'll agree with Strausburgs...they are great there...

I'll put a strong disagreeance with RPM...I know our case is prolly a rarity but they tried to screw us and lost a HUGE sale because of it...

 

[Jeremy]

I'll agree with Strausburgs...they are great there...

I'll put a strong disagreeance with RPM...I know our case is prolly a rarity but they tried to screw us and lost a HUGE sale because of it...

was this recently? i believe they have been under new ownership for the last couple of years or so.... i cant remember the details.

we have had work done by the new and old rpm and it has turned out great.

 

[Caleb]

was this recently? i believe they have been under new ownership for the last couple of years or so.... i cant remember the details.

we have had work done by the new and old rpm and it has turned out great.

it was about three-four years ago