Machine Shop Recommendations in Seacoast NH Area

[Chaldaean]

My head gasket needs replacing and, subsequently, the head is going to be resurfaced. I will be doing the actual teardown and replacement myself.

I live in Somersworth, NH (03878). Can anyone recommend a shop within a few hours drive?

Also, I used to work at a "regular" (non-automotive) machine shop that can probably give me a break on some machine time. Although I trust the ability, I would guess that this shop has never machined a head before. Is is a bad idea to ask a shop like this to resurface a head or should I stick with a shop that has experience (fixturing it properly and having a good handle on acceptable tolerances and surface finish)?

Thanks for the local advice; I appreciate it greatly.

- Josh

 

[landtank]

I have yet to have a head that needed resurfacing. I wouldn't do it unless it is needed.

 

[KLF]

Josh:

I posted on ExploringNH that I'll come over and give you a hand if you need it. I have a nice long machinists straightedge that you can use to check the head and deck for flatness. I'll bring my tube of gray Permatex...

Rick:

What about grinding the valves & seats?

 

[HJ-45CrewCab]

Josh:

I'll bring my tube of gray Permatex...

 

[Chaldaean]

I have yet to have a head that needed machining. I wouldn't do it unless it is needed.

That's great to know and a possible cost savings as well; thanks for keeping things in perspective. I'll definitely take some time to carefully inspect the head, Rick.

I posted on ExploringNH that I'll come over and give you a hand if you need it. I have a nice long machinists straightedge that you can use to check the head and deck for flatness.

Thanks for the support and I just may take you up on the machinists straightedge, Ken. Thanks a lot.

Feeling left out, Ernie?

 

[landtank]

Josh:

I posted on ExploringNH that I'll come over and give you a hand if you need it. I have a nice long machinists straightedge that you can use to check the head and deck for flatness. I'll bring my tube of gray Permatex...

Rick:

What about grinding the valves & seats?

That's a given. On our heads we use pucks to shim the lifters. The FSM has you measuring and ordering new pucks to get the gap correct.

The machine shop should do this when doing the valve grind but instead of replacing the pucks they just nip the end of the valve.

When I adjusted my valves I had to order 21 pucks. That's about the cost of the valve grind.

We can run the head through my machine shop if you would like. The only issue is that I'm not always around to get the head as soon as possible. But this guy has done a couple of 80 heads now and you can expect zero issues with the head once returned.


EDIT above: realized I used the wrong terminology