Patrick,
Well my family's NAPA store has a machine shop in it and upon first
inspection, it seems like the dirtiest most unorganized place on earth. But
the fact of the matter is that Calvin (our machinist)has been working there
for over 30 years and can tell by just looking at something if it needs to
be replaced or not. He also seems very surly if you don't know him, I think
its a machinist thing. He'll try to save you money if you don't need work
done, as any good machinst should. As for blasting vs tanking I don't know.
We have a hot tank/cleaner machine. So all of our blocks get that
treatment.
Moral of the story is: If its a reputable place with knowledgeable ppl they
probably know what's best. It would probably help if they are familiar with
british engines or any other older design. The vast majority of what we do
at our shop is push rod american engines and tractors.
Ryan Smith
>From: "Bowen, Patrick A" <PABowen@sar.med.navy.mil>
>Reply-To: "Bowen, Patrick A" <PABowen@sar.med.navy.mil>
>To: "'spitfires@autox.team.net'" <spitfires@autox.team.net>,
>"',pbowen9685@aol.com'" <>, pbowen9685@aol.com
>Subject: machine shops
>Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 03:07:56 -0400
>
>Here are a couple (more) questions for the masses about a machine shop I
>dropped my engine off at today. More of a does this make sense than
>anything.
>
>I was referred to this place so I gave them a chance. I asked about hot
>tanking and they told me they blast the blocks and that hot tanking or
>baking was unnecessary, how effective is this? is it bad or will it do a
>good job? (he didn't say what type of media, he was actually pretty rude).
>I asked about line boring the crank and balancing it, he said that the
>crank
>journals look to be in almost perfect condition and if they were that good
>there is no problem with the crank and that it retains its factory
>balancing
>and theres no need to line bore or magnaflux, probably just polish. I
>decided to have the thrustwashers pinned and it was a ten minute arguement
>to get it done. the shop was not too clean or organized but I fell back on
>the fact that they were recommended by a well know cylinder head machine
>shop (they rebuilt mine). Does this all sound reasonable, or should I run
>back to the machine shop and get my engine?
>
>starting to wonder if this was a good idea?
>Patrick Bowen
>
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