Local Birmingham Mechanic

[ClankBang]

Apparently lou passed a few weeks ago.
His son is running the shop now.
Not sure if that makes any difference

 

[Land Speeder]

I wouldn't trust a rear main seal to anyone in bham... take it to ACC. You truly get what you pay for. I seriously doubt you can find a better priced mechanic anyway.
That said, a rear main can leak for years and be OK. Valve cover is as easy as replacing underwears.

 

[xodeuce]

There's a guy down in Marion, AL that's active on the TacomaWorld forums who is a 20 year experience ASE certified mechanic, does all sorts of work. I know it's not near B'ham, but he's routinely given guys on TW the hookup on parts, and been real honest about labor, and also has done good work.

It's Marion Bumper 2 Bumper Automotive Service, and the guy's name is Bill.

His 97 Tacoma frame off resto is here, and you can see some of his work:
97 Tacoma Partial Restoration Engine/Paint - Tacoma World Forums

I've not used him personally, but i will say in all his discussions on the forum, and after having met him, he seems to be a very competent mechanic who shoots straight, which all in all can be hard to find.

 

[mjl132]

I hunt in Sprott in Perry County and I guarantee a guy I hunt with will know him. I'll call Bill this week. That truck looks good too.

 

[Land Speeder]

I hunt in Sprott in Perry County and I guarantee a guy I hunt with will know him. I'll call Bill this week. That truck looks good too.

I used to have this picture framed for years...

 

[mjl132]

Not to hijack my own thread, but I hunt by that building. It's still there. Have you still got that picture? I would love a copy.

 

[xodeuce]

I sent Bill a PM over on TacomaWorld with a link to the thread, and he responded with this and asked if I'd post this over here for him:

Just so you can post it, tell him that the estimate for a rear main seal, and valve cover gaskets (if any other parts are needed or wanted it will be extra) will be:

Main seal set: $37.31
valve cover gaskets: $33.41
Main seal labor: $350.00
valve cover gasket labor: $100.00

This is at $50 per hour labor rate.

It may be more than he wants to spend, but the labor rate in B-ham being at $80 or more, he would save $210 on the rear main, and $60 on the valve cover gaskets. If he wants to do all of it at the same time, we may be able to work out a deal.

 

[mjl132]

I just talked to him on the phone. He seems like a pretty nice guy and knows what's he doing. I'm going to send him a list tomorrow and see what he says. I'm going to call ACC and see what they say too and get a quote. But by the time I get it to ACC (assuming it makes it) then back and all the hassle it may not be worth it.

We discussed changing the valve cover gasket and all that first and seeing what happens. So I guess I'll post on the 80 project thread I have what my choice will be and how that all comes along. Yay for my new money pit!

 

[mjl132]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/349535-cruiser-mechanics-listed-state.html

Just ran across this list of cruiser mechanics all over the US. May come in handy.

 

[80sRGR8]

I have had good luck with University Auto on University Blvd just under 65 (old Importers Whse).

 

[Bamaboy]

All i can say is DO NOT go to southern off road just off exit 242 in Birmingham... i did not have good work done there

 

[Blackdog]

All i can say is DO NOT go to southern off road just off exit 242 in Birmingham... i did not have good work done there

That place is right down the road fom my house. It might as well be called Southern Jeep ****. I don't think they aknowlege anything but a Jeep as an "off-road" vehicle. My Heeper friends use them sometimes,but they don't speak CRUISER.

 

[xodeuce]

All i can say is DO NOT go to southern off road just off exit 242 in Birmingham... i did not have good work done there

That place is right down the road fom my house. It might as well be called Southern Jeep ****. I don't think they aknowlege anything but a Jeep as an "off-road" vehicle. My Heeper friends use them sometimes,but they don't speak CRUISER.

I couldn't have had a more different experience with these guys. I had to get an alignment after doing the lift on my truck, and they were really nice, customer service was great, price was reasonable, they knew what they were doing with the adjustable UCA's and all. Overall I was happy.

The service part was called Lovelady Automotive though or something other than Southern Off Road. Wonder if it's different management now?

That said, an IFS 4 wheel alignment is pretty hard to screw up. Of course... I say that... the stealership did manage to break the eccentric adjustment tabs off of the frame, front and rear mounting points on both LCA's <grumble> It's certainly no rear main seal or major engine surgery though.