Ok, so I'm getting close to needing machining done to my block, and having my rotating assembly balanced (soon as I get pistons). It's an all forged 396 blower motor that'll need clearancing, Crank journals turned, along with conversion to 4-bolt mains. I'd also like to have the shop assemble the short-block due to my lack of precision tools, and this build containing much more expensive parts than I'm willing to trust with my small amount of experience building bottom-ends.

I live in Ellensburg WA, and I've been calling local shops pricing things out. Problem is, I'm getting the vibe none of these shops have ever touched a Gen II SBC before. The last shop I talked to (said to be the best by the locals here) didn't know GenII LT1's existed in a 2-bolt main version. Then proceded to tell he wouldn't want to convert that to a 4-bolt main due to it being a weak block.

Anyhow, I'm close enough to Seattle that I'm willing to drive everything up there if someone can recommend a machinist/builder that I can trust they know what they're doing. I'm not from there so I'm not familiar with who my options are.

I'm not using the most expensive parts, nor is this a very complicated build, so I don't need the most expensive or the best builder available. I simply would like to find a moderately priced option where I'm confident they've done this sorta thing before.

Any recommendations? Or do you guys think I'm being too cautious with who's capable of performing this sorta work?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

You are NOT being too cautious. Ask Jon A in Everett WA. He posts here.

 

www.paoloengine.com

 

www.paolo.com

 

sorry bout this: www.paoloengine.com

 

Thanks Bubba,

Oregon City eh? I grew up in Oregon...at least it'd be tax free

There's never seemed to be a very strong presence of Northwestern members on this board.

Oh well, I guess I'll just sit down with the Yellow Pages and start making some phone calls.

 

Call Ellis Groo at Speed secrets in Monroe. He is way deep into the LT1 stuff and if he can't do it he can direct you to some one who can. Plus he's a super nice guy.

http://www.speedsecretsefi.com/

 

Yeah talk to Ellis.

 

Paolo's 540 motor they use as an example is WEAK!, only 480rw??? Our street 489 packages make 500rw with an RPM manifold, not even a victor like they did...

 

So far I've sent out e-mails to everyone listed. Ellis had a lot of F-body's on his site which is comforting, but I didn't really see anything mentioning they do machining. I guess I'll find out when he emails me back.

I also remember someone mentioning Blood Enterprises, so I looked them up and shot them off an e-mail. They sorta look like a spendy outfit, but I guess looks could be deceiving.

Thanks for the help.

 

Do not go to Blood....That's what they take from you...

Mike is Ellis's machine guy over there (Kirkland area). He can take care of you. In fact, he's now fixing a 396 LT1 stroker from another company that had issues in shipping...He did my rebore, hone and decking of my 401 LT1 and did all machine work for Ellis's 380 Nitrous combo....

 

BTW: In re Paolo Engine, just because you believe the example given is "WEAK" does not exemplify the type of work to expect from them regarding the work itself. I live in Oregon City. I've been to the shop. I have never heard of any complaints against Paolo.

I am not suggesting in any way that Paolo is the place to go---merely responding to the request for possible providers.

When it comes to relying too heavily on word of mouth recommendations, I do not subscribe to that concept----I believe in really doing homework when it comes to paying someone to mess with my engine----and even then you are taking a chance. Been there. JMHO

And...I believe that too many of us would rather have someone close do the work, even if having someone located afar would do a much better job.

 

Bubba,

I understand where you are coming from, but I would recomened someone either without knowing them and the type of work that they do, hence why I recomened Ellis. You do have very good advice to do your homework on who you have work done by.

Bret

 

Ace: right you are---I believe that it is part of a gear head's DNA to want to get it done like NOW! But if there is one thing I have, hopefully, learned: do not just take someone elses word that a particular shop does "great" work, because they may only be speaking about their specific relationship or experience.

Any shop that does lots of work, employs many employees, and not all the employees are the same. That goes with machine shops as well as mechanics in general. You might go with a shop with an overall excellant reputation and wind up being the poor bastard who gets the new mechanic/machinist who learned most of his skills in a chop shop.

And, above all, I believe the most important sign of a reliable shop is one that will stand behind their work and delivers on their promises---because you rarely hear from the guys who got screwed. JMHO