TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:04 pm

Man, I remember when any town over, say, a thousand in population had a machine shop, but then folks fixed things instead of buying a rebuilt shortblock from ShortBlokCo.com.

I find myself looking for a damn shop in the Permian Basin/Big Bend/SW TX area. I have a Ford FE block that needs a bore, nuthin' fancy, and I evidently live a looooong way from a capable shop. It's a numbers-matching block for my '64 Galaxie 500 hardtop, a 390. Can't find anything within a 100-mile radius of my town. Hot tank, bore, clean/plug oil galleries on this giant chunk of arn, that's all.

Anyone recommend a good shop? That I can't find one is just fuckin' silly.

Really want to get this Ford back on the road.
You'd love it, it's a badass lowrider, a skinny-whitewalled, Supreme-rolling, Bellflower-piped pavement slitherer from the bygone days. Do not want another winter to pass with this beast in the shed parted from its engine.

So, halp?

Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:32 am

Try searching, or asking on this forum: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/index.php

Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:02 am

Carquest here has a good reputation for their Machine Shop.

Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:18 am

Keep in mind most places don't "hot tank" any more. They'll bake it in an oven of sorts, as it's ecologically more safe than hot tanking. The local I guy I use around here, hasn't "hot tanked" in over 15 years, due to EPA regs. The end result is still the same though, as I've sent him at least 6 iron engine blocks over the last 15 years (I've got 2 more waiting to go too). I still have him do the cam bearings and freeze plugs though, as I'm not set up for doing that (plus he's reasonable on his prices).

Like Mike said, if you can't find anyone, try your local Car Quest, as some of them do it there (mine does, but I don't use them), or they might know a place that does it. :wink:

When I used to live down your way, I'd have to take my stuff to Wichita Falls, to find someone any good at doing engine machining. I realise that might be too far to drive for you (over a 100 miles), but sometimes you do what you have to, in order to get anything done. :roll:
Hopefully you'll find someone, and get your beast done and back on the road. Sounds like it was a fun car to cruise in. 8)

Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:37 am

Funny, there used to be a Carquest over in Alpine, 30 miles west, but it pulled up stakes years ago. The guys at the NAPA in the same town had no idea what shops in Midland/Odessa were any good and also decry the lack of local facilities.

60 miles north in Ft. Stockton there was a pretty decent shop but it too is gone.

Thanks for the replies, I'll keep a-lookin'.

Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:57 am

Bobnotch wrote: Keep in mind most places don't "hot tank" any more.

A machine shop I use in Oklahoma City still hot tanks blocks and anything else. Also remember that the OP is looking for a shop in Texas, you know, the State that has the city of Houston, where zoning restrictions don't exit.

Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:32 am

Sometimes the kind of shop you are looking for is right under your nose but you don't know they are there. They can be difficult to find.

If you have any sort of local race track - dirt circle, drag, etc., somebody there should be able to tell you where the shops are.