Local Birmingham Mechanic

[mjl132]

I am looking for a Birmingham area 'shade tree mechanic' who will is looking for some extra work for an FZJ80. I want to get a few things done that I am not quite comfortable doing and just looking for some leads on some people to do it.. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ClankBang]

What do you need done? I have yet to find that old guy who can do anything.

 

[mjl132]

I am smoking/burning oil from under the heat shield near the back of exhaust manifold no 2. I assume that's a valve cover. And also I want to replace the rear main and pan arch seals. I am not quite comfortable doing it alone and would like to pay someone to do it but I don't want to pay $80 or more an hour to a shop or stealership. So any suggestions are welcome.

 

[ClankBang]

Ahh.. I ran into you at the Advanced Auto right?
I really have no suggestions here as I have never found a mechanic I liked.
If it were huntsville or if you didn't mind hauling it up there I would highly recomend Art Lynch in monrovia. That guy can and will work on anything from semi trucks to boats.

 

[mjl132]

Yep. That was me at Advanced. I guess Monrovia could be a last ditch effort, but I'd rather stay around here. What's Mr. Lynch's number?

 

[ClankBang]

256 837 7889
I belive.

 

[mjl132]

Thanks. I may give him a call if all else fails. Any other leads on a Birmingham mechanic?

 

[ClankBang]

I have heard good things about superior and franklin but I think both will cost you dearly.

 

[bhmmapping]

Valve cover is easy. Other two not so much. we take our Volvo to Franklin, they are very good but expensive. If you are going to monrovia you might as well haul it over to acc.

 

[ClankBang]

What Matt said.. ACC will do it right, I don't think they are cheap though.

 

[mjl132]

I would love to take it to ACC, Superior, or Franklin, but I really like having two kidneys and don't quite feel like selling one for my cruiser yet.

I know that would be the best thing to get it to those guys and get it done perfect, but the wife would have me strung up for spending that kind of money on it. And truthfully I am not comfortable changing the valve cover gasket and all that yet. The only way to get comfortable doing it is to do it, so I guess I am in a catch 22.

My options are either to spend the next month tearing into it and figuring up (and hoping I make nothing worse), paying mad money to someone that is top notch, or winging it and hoping I can find a reasonable mechanic. I guess I will keep looking.

Maybe you guys could ask around tomorrow and see if anyone knows anyone.

 

[ClankBang]

It has been my experience with these things that if you gamble on a budget fix your gonna pay for it twice.
Having said that there is a guy up here in bluff park that the neighbors recommend I'm pretty sure he his cheap and works on a variety of stuff.
I have no idea deal of the name but he is on shades crest you can't miss it

 

[mjl132]

Right next to Bluff Park Hardware?

And you're right, you get what you pay for usually. I'm really hoping to find that perfect person that won't screw me, does a good job, and is reasonable... if there is such a thing.

 

[ClankBang]

I think that's right....

 

[mjl132]

Well I just remembered that there is a guy by the hardware store and the fire station across from Tip Top, then there is one by Mr. P's a little further down where shades crest turns into Oxmoor.

Any idea on which?

 

[ClankBang]

The one I heard about is near bluff park hardware.

 

[BamaHeel]

I've got a card somewhere when I had a Tundra and it needed rear brakes a place over there've was recommended to me. Actually charged me less than the quote. I will see if I can find it.

 

[mjl132]

I'll call the one near Bluff Park hardware today. And anyone who charges less than their quote is promising. I like the sound of that.

 

[mjl132]

I talked to Jacks garage in Pelham and he sounds real nice. I also left a message for Lou in Bluff Park. Any other ideas are welcome.

 

[BamaHeel]

Haven't found card but Lou sounds like the guy I went to. What's the name of his shop?