Flathead machine shop in Tennessee

Pat Robinson in West Paducah is a great engine machinist. I've seen a few flatheads there over the years, but Pat is in his 80's and has been in bad health lately and may not be accepting work. He has done some fine work for me in recent years, but I've never built a flathead.

Al Hook
 
Michael Driskell knows of a machine shop that does flathead engine work near McMinnville. He might also know of one near Nashville, TN. You can call his shop, Third Gen Automotive and ask.
 
If your in Clarksville, then look up Sexton Racing Engines. While he will not assemble one he will do the machining

PS there is a 1940 Standard coupe I have been searching for, for years that supposedly now resides in Clarksville. This wouldn't be you would it?
 
35fordtn said:
If your in Clarksville, then look up Sexton Racing Engines. While he will not assemble one he will do the machining

PS there is a 1940 Standard coupe I have been searching for, for years that supposedly now resides in Clarksville. This wouldn't be you would it?
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Thanks for the suggestion. That would work for me, I just want to get the machining done so I can assemble.

I had a 40 standard coupe for a few years but I sold it maybe 3 years ago. I bought it out of New York.
 
Precision auto machine in McMinnville,,,,they do great work!
I know that is a ways from Clarksville,,,but,,,it is not that far for really good work.
Also a fair price,,,not cheap,,,but fair,,,,besides,,,I always heard that cheap work is not all that is supposed to be,,,,Lol.
They have all that a lot of shops don’t,,,how many shops have their own crank grinder,,,,I think it cost like 300 grand,,,,they can do it all.
They do a lot of machining from Nashville businesses as well.

They are only open Monday -Thursday,,,,but open till like 5 or 6,,,,not sure.
You can call anytime and talk to the answering machine,,,they explain the hours then.
I just spoke to Adam this week,,,,wanted to touch base about having my flathead magged and checked for cracks.

Charlie sometimes answers the phone,,,I think he is the dad.
Adam usually knows everything about what you might need and quotes the price.

The number is,,,,,,931-815-3260.
Mcminnville, Tennessee
Very good work at a fair price.

It is about 45 to 50 minutes from where I live in Carthage,,,but worth it for me.

Tommy
 
Precision machine is only about five miles from my shop. That is who does all my flathead machine work. They are good but a good ways from Clarksville. They also need to be carefully instructed sometimes, like for example the floater rods need a smooth finish. Just picked up a block from precision yesterday, and had a flathead flywheel redrilled. As stated above they can do anything and even have a in house haas Cnc. Crank welding is about the only thing they won’t do.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. Sounds like I have a couple of good choices. I don't mind driving a ways for a shop that will machine a flathead.
 
my2nd40 said:
Thanks for the tips guys. Sounds like I have a couple of good choices. I don't mind driving a ways for a shop that will machine a flathead.
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The area that is the most important is the valve and seat work - make sure they have the necessary flathead-specific pilots for the seats. You should not use just a flathead guide and a regular pilot - should be using a big pilot that picks up the flathead valve guide bore. Some pilots even pickup the lifter and guide bores.

I've found that most anybody can bore a block, but when you get to things like deck heights and valve work on flatheads . . . few shops/people know what they are doing these days.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have on the details.

B&S
 
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B&S Makes a valid point..

Precision can install seats but does not have the proper tools to grind the seats. I do all the valve seat work on my own as I have the tools to do such myself. I also dont/wont run adjustable lifters and grind valves to suit. I can grind the valves with the tools I have and have proper lash quicker than I could messing with those pesky adjustables.

If you have precision do the work, our shop is only a few miles away and we could grind the seats for you of you needed.
 
Hey 35,

Glad to hear that,,,,I will come and see you.
I definitely want good valve work done,,,,I believe that is a very critical area,,,and a lot of people over look that.
In the case of the Flathead,,,,everyone can’t do it.
I’m really glad you posted that.

Tommy
 
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