Posted: 4/30/2014 4:39:35 PM EDT
| Hello all. I have a old small block chevy I want to rebuild and I'm looking for a good machine shop. I live in northern Wisconsin, but I'm willing to travel if need be. Please let me know of any that you all know of that are any good. Thanks! |
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Our local Carquest (Ironwood MI) sends things to a shop in Marshfield. I'm not sure if it's a Carquest owned shop or not, I'll ask tomorrow.
I had a line bore done on a big Pontiac (converted to steel 4 bolt main caps) and they met the specs I gave them just fine. You could also ask the local dirt track guys who they use. My boss uses Adam's Automotive in Cameron for his super stock engines. And he's never bitched about their work in the 22 years I've been working for him. |
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What are you looking to have machined, heads? IIRC, you're near Rhinelander, I know a place in Eagle River that used to.
Not sure if they still do machining for others, but Eagle Collision in Eagle River machined the heads on my daughter's Mitsubishi Diamante when the timing belt broke as she was cruising along I-94 near Hudson, at about 75mph ("interferance" engine, took out the valves  ). The Car Shop in Eagle River (behind NAPA) did the rebuild, but they sent the heads to Eagle Collision for machining. I borrowed their tow dolly and went to Hudson to tow it home to Eagle River. At that time (about 2006) it was known as Solid Gold Classics, and they did restorations of classic cars, including complete engine rebuilding, and they did machining and head rebuilding for local mechanics.
They've changed owners since, changed the name to Eagle Collision, and new owner also owns shops in Minocqua (Island Collision) and one in Rhinelander (Quality Collision). They still do restorations, and AFAIK engine rebuilds on their restoration projects in Eagle River, in addition to regular body work (repaired both my deer "hits" on my pick-up). A small block Chev is right up their alley, if they still take in outside work. 
I do all their lock work... was just there a few weeks ago, opening the trunk of a 63 T-Bird "barn find" they just got in but had no keys, and they needed the trunk lid for a restoration job on another T-Bird. 
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I have never used them personally, but have heard great things about Manitowoc Motor Machine.
http://www.motormachining.com/html/racing.html |
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I didn't post this earlier as it is out of your AO, but since it is back to the top...
The guy I used to used is down in IL and a PITA to get to, so I started using Motor Masters in Hartford. You could, no shit, eat off that shop floor. Dedicated assembly rooms, in-house dyno, etc. They do mostly circle track stuff, including a lot of midget and mini-sprint stuff from what I've heard. Impeccable work and the prices always seemed very competitive. I have only had head work done there as I haven't built a bottom end in some time. I plan to use them for a 1200-1500hp single turbo Olds small block build I've got parts sitting around for. Just gotta get my EFI squared away first. |
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Quoted:
If your close to the border, try Midwest engine in Duluth Mn. If your near Eau Claire Baxter machine is supposed to be good. In Eau Claire, I used to use Motorworks behind Cicione's. Nate is still there but the old guy that used to do the head work was absolutely awesome. Reasonable rates. |
| Thanks for all the info. I just tore down the engine and WOW! someone run this thing low on oil and didn't let up. All the bearings are spun and I can see where a few turned to liquid. So now I'm trying to decide if I want to reuse the crank and rods or not. Its not really that much more money to buy a balanced rotating assembly. |