Southern Ca banger machine shop?

R

Rusty30roadster

Senior Member
Hi, my model b diamond block took a dump, threw a rod bearing and smoked the front main babbit bearing.

I left HnH a VM but does anyone know of other machine shops in southern CA that can replace the babbits for insert bearings on my block’s mains?

Thank you.
 
Dave at BMS Machine Services in San Bernardino rebuilt the 8ba in my '39 p/u but I don't know if he can do what you need. If not he might know who does. He builds everything from stockers to LSR engines and knows his stuff (and a heck of a nice guy as well).
Be prepared to wait if he can do the job but it will be worth it, IMO
(909) 799-7770
Another thought is Johnson's Automotive Machine in Yucaipa, CA. He has a good rep for flatheads. He recently did all the machine work for an 8ba with a Merc crank for a roadster p/u belonging to a guy I have coffee with on Saturday mornings. One man shop but quality work.
(909) 797-2063
 
Rusty30roadster said:
Hi, my model b diamond block took a dump, threw a rod bearing and smoked the front main babbit bearing.

I left HnH a VM but does anyone know of other machine shops in southern CA that can replace the babbits for insert bearings on my block’s mains?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Would one of the new Burtz engines be a good option for you?
 
So that's why I haven't seen it around ------ I can't directly help you, but if you can make some contact with the Santa Barbara Model A club, they may know of a shop up that way that can help you. Try looking for Ron Ryker.
 
It's been 10 years or more now since I had a diamond B engine rebuilt with insert bearings by an engine reconditioner in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Kelowna is not far over the border from the US. I could not fault his work. I forget his details abut I could get them if needed.
 
I highly recommend Joe Sivils at Turlock Machine. It's a 5 hour drive from Ventura but you will be extremely happy that you made the drive. Have Joe convert your bearings to inserts and pressurize the oil.
I refuse to do business with H&H. As one of my club members said, " What good is their warranty if you have to keep using it".

Turlock Machine
209 495 1689
 
Thanks to all for your replies. I drive to SF often for work so taking an engine along is no sweat. I’ll call them all. Thanks guys. J.
 
Joe Sivils does good work, but he is SLOW!!! Usually he takes over a year to do an engine. He recently spent time in the hospital, not sure how he's doing now?
 
You might also consider finding a rebuilt motor rather than rebuilding your current one

Sammy at model a parts in Arizona might be worth investigating

I have done rapid disassembly repairs and sometimes it just isn’t worth it

J
 
johnneilson said:
You might also consider finding a rebuilt motor rather than rebuilding your current one
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Shop around your local clubs. I know a guy who bought a couple perfectly good A engines for $500 each from a guy who had put Burtz engines in his cars.
 
Syncro99, the repair shop in Kelowna , is K&S Machine , the owner is Keith Korecki. He did the insert work etc on my engine about 20 years ago ,no issues. He has a very busy shop ,does a lot of drag engines. He also prepared several engines for a local club for their model a tour to Alaska,again good results.
Their phone number for any one interested is 250-807-2204. Don’t forget your dollar goes a long way in Canada, saving between 25-30% .
Don S
 
Don S said:
Syncro99, the repair shop in Kelowna , is K&S Machine , the owner is Keith Korecki. He did the insert work etc on my engine about 20 years ago ,no issues. He has a very busy shop ,does a lot of drag engines. He also prepared several engines for a local club for their model a tour to Alaska,again good results.
Their phone number for any one interested is 250-807-2204. Don’t forget your dollar goes a long way in Canada, saving between 25-30% .
Don S
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That’s great for someone in Washington or Oregon but it’s like 1,500+ miles from Southern California!

It’s a great road trip to British Columbia (which I have made several times) if you have time to go. If I told my wife I needed to take my engine to BC she would say “when do we leave”.

David Serrano
 
California Travieso said:
It’s a great road trip to British Columbia
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My company sent me to Canada in the late 70s to fix some equipment. It was a real hassle taking parts and tools. They inventoried everything and said I had to bring it all back with me or pay import on what stayed in Canada.
I beat em - they couldn't tell new circuit boards I took in from the junk ones I took out.
 
Hi Team, I called everyone you all offered. some did not do main bearings and many never called me back. I was able to find someone to do the work by network through the MAFCA so I’m all set to get the engine fixed, unless more bad news is received. Thank you all and keep your fingers crossed for my banger, best of luck with your cars and projects!
 
Rusty30roadster said:
Hi Team, I called everyone you all offered. some did not do main bearings and many never called me back. I was able to find someone to do the work by network through the MAFCA so I’m all set to get the engine fixed, unless more bad news is received. Thank you all and keep your fingers crossed for my banger, best of luck with your cars and projects!
Click to expand...

Good info to file away if you would share who?
 
Rusty30roadster said:
Hi Team, I called everyone you all offered. some did not do main bearings and many never called me back. I was able to find someone to do the work by network through the MAFCA so I’m all set to get the engine fixed, unless more bad news is received. Thank you all and keep your fingers crossed for my banger, best of luck with your cars and projects!
Click to expand...

So who did you take it to?

David Serrano
 
Hi, I’m back to the drawing board. The shop I was going to use cannot do Model B engines, only As, so I’m searching again…

My list
- BMS doesn’t do main bearings
- Johnson’s auto - left 2 VMs, no call back yet
- HH - 2VMs, no call back yet
- Turlock machine - spoke with Joe and I don’t think I can afford his work .
- I will continue to network through the Model A clubs locally.

My dilemma::
I have 7 Flathead blocks at the machine shop now, if one comes back good, I’m tempted to build one for my roadster but really don’t want to scrap the Model B. I love my Banger and I’m doing everything possible to keep it because it is in excellent condition (minus the rabbit bearings) but the cost to fix it may be close to a V8 build….


Thanks for your help!!! Keep sending ideas, J
 
Rusty30roadster said:
Hi, I’m back to the drawing board. The shop I was going to use cannot do Model B engines, only As, so I’m searching again…

My list
- BMS doesn’t do main bearings
- Johnson’s auto - left 2 VMs, no call back yet
- HH - 2VMs, no call back yet
- Turlock machine - spoke with Joe and I don’t think I can afford his work .
- I will continue to network through the Model A clubs locally.

My dilemma::
I have 7 Flathead blocks at the machine shop now, if one comes back good, I’m tempted to build one for my roadster but really don’t want to scrap the Model B. I love my Banger and I’m doing everything possible to keep it because it is in excellent condition (minus the rabbit bearings) but the cost to fix it may be close to a V8 build….


Thanks for your help!!! Keep sending ideas, J
Click to expand...


I totally understand your dilemma, but you are not alone. The problem is the costs to own/repair/restore one of these cars is not affordable for many.

From my perspective, the problem on the other side is the costs to own & operate a machine shop with decent quality equipment is absolutely crazy now. And, ...the customer's expectations in these times are so high that a shop owner does not dare try to use an inferior (i.e.: inaccurate) machine to do machine work because the costs of labor, and potential for re-do's from poor machine work easily make doing them unprofitable unless they charge accordingly.

Then factor in tooling costs & supplies whose prices have escalated over 50% in the past 3 years, plus the costs of utilities, insurance, and employee labor, -and I think you quickly find the day of the $3,500 engine rebuild are behind us.
 
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