Engine rebuild / machine shop recommendation (1 Viewer)

[AKcruzr]

Looking for a shop that I can take the 2F out of My 87 FJ60 for a complete rebuild. I'm going to pull the engine this spring, hopefully the beginning of next month. I've had two places recommended by a few locals, Sunwest engines in Medical Lake and American engine and Marine in Spokane. Any help would be appreciated

Thanks,

 

[helimech]

Try Gibson performance engines in spokane. He had a 60 for a time as a personal rig also

 

[helimech]

I can get ya his number if you want

 

[AKcruzr]

Thank you sir, I'll give them a call.

 

[helimech]

where you able to get in contact with them?

 

[Perovich]

Hello, local automotive tech here.

Cassell and Gibson are going to be your best bets locally.
S & J builds good engines with good warranties, but I don't know if they'd honor it on something like an F-series engine.
Sunwest in Medical Lake (full disclosure: I used to work there) is decent if you plan on doing the R/R yourself and just transfer the long block. Don't use their repair shop for install/installation.

 

[AKcruzr]

where you able to get in contact with them?

Not yet, started the removal then had to shove the truck off to the side. I've got two three day weekends coming up, plan on ignoring My phone when people call expecting Me to drop My projects and fix their self inflicted emergencies.

 

[AKcruzr]

Hello, local automotive tech here.

Cassell and Gibson are going to be your best bets locally.
S & J builds good engines with good warranties, but I don't know if they'd honor it on something like an F-series engine.
Sunwest in Medical Lake (full disclosure: I used to work there) is decent if you plan on doing the R/R yourself and just transfer the long block. Don't use their repair shop for install/installation.

Thank you Sir, Always good to get recommendations for work from a local tech.

 

[helimech]

Gibson performance is on Instagram if you wanna see what he works in. He rebuilt his cruiser motor years ago, I’ll have mine done there when it’s needed.

 

[Spook50]

Since this thread is already here; I'm trying to get my hands on a spare 3FE head to get it worked over with oversized stainless valves and have it ported & polished. Any recommendations on a capable shop for that task? This will be done after new injectors, having my spare throttle body bored, and having a new manifold-back exhaust done (I've already got an upgraded exhaust, but want to go ahead and have a custom system all nicely tucked up inside the frame using a 3 chamber muffler. Right now I have a 2 chamber that sounds good but I'm wanting to quiet it down a little. No cats, so I'll be looking for a place that'll do an "off-road" system for me) along with experimenting around with a true multi spark ignition system.

Basically my end goal is to get respectable power while retaining the long term reliability of the 3FE.

 

[Perovich]

Since this thread is already here; I'm trying to get my hands on a spare 3FE head to get it worked over with oversized stainless valves and have it ported & polished. Any recommendations on a capable shop for that task? This will be done after new injectors, having my spare throttle body bored, and having a new manifold-back exhaust done (I've already got an upgraded exhaust, but want to go ahead and have a custom system all nicely tucked up inside the frame using a 3 chamber muffler. Right now I have a 2 chamber that sounds good but I'm wanting to quiet it down a little. No cats, so I'll be looking for a place that'll do an "off-road" system for me) along with experimenting around with a true multi spark ignition system.

Basically my end goal is to get respectable power while retaining the long term reliability of the 3FE.

Mike at Cylinder Head services is probably going to be your guy.
There's Dave at Big Sky Machining (he's tucked in the Dishman Hills, sort of a reclusive guy but super honest and knows the 'old stuff'), but I have no idea if he does walk-in work.
If I remember correctly, I recall talking to Mike about throwing 350 valves in my 2F head, and he was the first machinist in town who didn't give me the "you can't do that" look.

Also if you're looking for a place that'll do an "off-road" exhaust sans cats, Harvey at Discount Muffler or Pat at Mach 1 Muffler. Honest and fair prices, and better worksmanship than anywhere else in town. I lean slightly toward Pat at Mach 1, because he built my headers from pretty much scratch, but we use Discount all the time at work and never had an issue.

 

[AKcruzr]

So, just an update. I'm dropping off my 2F on Friday with Gibson Performance, talked with the owner seems like a great guy. His shop is busy, gonna take a while to get My engine back. I'm willing to wait for quality work, and it gives Me an opportunity to rebuild the front knuckles and any misc. stuff that pops up.

 

[Spook50]

So, just an update. I'm dropping off my 2F on Friday with Gibson Performance, talked with the owner seems like a great guy. His shop is busy, gonna take a while to get My engine back. I'm willing to wait for quality work, and it gives Me an opportunity to rebuild the front knuckles and any misc. stuff that pops up.

What all are you having him do? Any major head work?

 

[Perovich]

Let us know how the engine goes! If you need any of the special tools for the knuckles lemme know.

Off topic, but Spook are you still looking for headers? Im pretty sure I have a set of old (new) TriMils laying around the shop somewhere.

 

[Mudder]

I know this is an old thread, but any update? I'm looking at Gibson Machine for a rebuild as well.

 

[Mudder]

@AKcruzr, how did the rebuild go from Gibson? I’m needing to get a block done soon and trying to find somewhere within a 4 hour drive of where I live.