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Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:36 am

Does anyone know of any machine shops which are familiar with working with VW engines near Bucks County, Pa?

There was one I had used in Easton pa, but he is no longer working on VW.

Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:15 am

I think the one you are referring to is in jail. :D

What do you need done?

Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:30 am

Gene Ulrich or Valley VW, both are great.

Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:09 am

I tried to get Ulrich to do mine. He was too busy to be bothered. I shipped my case to Brothers Machine shop in California. $35 UPS. I couldn't drive from Warminster to Ulrich's shop and back using the turnpike for that little bit.
Just my personal opinion here, and I have no clue as to whether he is any good or not except for his reputation, BUT, if he seemed too disinterested to fully engage in a conversation about a motor, just how much interest will he pay to a motor in front of him?

Ship it to Brothers, get it back in under two weeks, and rest assured you got the best in the business on it. Again, just my opinion.

Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:16 am

Axitech wrote: I tried to get Ulrich to do mine. He was too busy to be bothered. I shipped my case to Brothers Machine shop in California. $35 UPS. I couldn't drive from Warminster to Ulrich's shop and back using the turnpike for that little bit.
Just my personal opinion here, and I have no clue as to whether he is any good or not except for his reputation, BUT, if he seemed too disinterested to fully engage in a conversation about a motor, just how much interest will he pay to a motor in front of him?

Ship it to Brothers, get it back in under two weeks, and rest assured you got the best in the business on it. Again, just my opinion.

Thanks for the heads up. I also need to ship the heads.

Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:32 am

Valley is supposed to be very good too. He is right up the road in St. Marys I believe. Just south of Mountaintop Pa.

Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:39 pm

I'll give valley a call on Monday. I also did look at Brother's Machine shop. Love it that most prices for different machine services are listed.

Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:59 pm

I have also used Keith's in WV with good results. On time, reasonable, and accurate work.
http://keithsautoparts.com/machine-shop/1381729
Prices posted on the site

Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:03 pm

Jim's Custom VW's is just inside Ohio, in Columbiana. He's been working on Aircooled VW's since 87, and has a full machine shop.

www.jimscustomvw.com

Sun Jul 27, 2014 6:06 pm

Axitech wrote: Just my personal opinion here, and I have no clue as to whether he is any good or not except for his reputation, BUT, if he seemed too disinterested to fully engage in a conversation about a motor, just how much interest will he pay to a motor in front of him?

I'm not doubting Axitech's experience here but I will say my experience with Gene was the exact opposite. He did my heads in 2 days time, a week before the car show at Maple Grove last year and seemed like a great guy the 2 or 3 times I have met him.

However, if shipping only costs $35 to bothers and back, I might have been able to save some gas money and time...

Sun Jul 27, 2014 7:04 pm

Shipping a case from coast to coast for $35 would be a good deal. No way that's a there and back price. Especially if you opt for tracking and insurance.

Mon Jul 28, 2014 12:36 am

esde wrote: Shipping a case from coast to coast for $35 would be a good deal. No way that's a there and back price. Especially if you opt for tracking and insurance.

I own a personalized wedding favor business and routinely ship weekly to California. The box I ship is 22x14x18 and weights 56 pounds. Depending on where in California I am shipping it cost me $67.00 to $79.00 to ship that box one way. I don't know off hand how much a case weights, but it has to be at least the same or more compared to what I am shipping. Tracking and insurance for $100 is included in FedEx pricing. FedEx ground shipping is slightly cheaper then UPS.

Mon Jul 28, 2014 5:42 am

Yeah - check with Dennis at Valley VW. As far as heads go, depends on what you have as far as whether its more cost effective to just replace them instead of rebuild. Talk to him about that.

Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:46 am

I've been looking for a shop near North West New Jersey to do some case and head work. I was contemplating going to a performance engine shop 30 minutes from me to see if he could cut a case and set of heads for 92mm. It's no backyard setup and I've had him cut my 86mm crank and magniflux my H beam rods but I'm thinking the setup costs to do the work (if he can) would be beyond shipping fees. I'll drive 2 hours to PA if I can get it done there.

Tue Jul 29, 2014 10:36 am

I had Valley VW machine my case. At the time they were the only shop doing bronze lifter bore bushings. (back in 2001).

Mon Aug 11, 2014 8:03 am

Steve Arndt wrote: I had Valley VW machine my case. At the time they were the only shop doing bronze lifter bore bushings. (back in 2001).

I actually contacted them last week and it's now the V-Dub Store located at 809 Saint Johns Road in Saint Johns PA if anybody wanted to map it. Also V-dubstore.com or phone is 570-371-6667. Super nice and told me what I needed to do before I bring out my case and heads. If their work is as good as their PR skills then I'll be real happy. Thanks guys!