Recommend Machine Shops

[scharpestguy]

I used the search feature and failed to find a good list of recommended machine shops for Head, Valve, etc... work.

I have completed the P0401 repair of removing the intake, cleaning, removing the fuel rail and servicing the injectors, replacing lots of parts and all the hose under the intake, etc... Talking to Beno at American Toyota he advises I'm only about two hours away from wrenching the head off. Hence I am going to require a good and reputable machine shop to do some work on my head. I think we would all prefer to know who the good shops are that are familiar with Toyota engines and come with strong IH8MUD recommendations.

So on that note please post the pertinent details of the machine shop you used, type of work done, location, etc....

Extra points if you suggest one in Texas between Houston and Dallas as I'm going to need one pretty quick!!!

Thank you one and all,

Scharpe St Guy

1996 LX 450 with 230k up on ramps, hood off, intake off, awaiting PM head work and Doug's DVD to arrive

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Here is a link from the 60 section. It may give you a few ideas.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/42646-recommend-cruiser-mechanic-your-area.html

 

[scharpestguy]

Thank you for the link Blue Cruiser, I'm not sure that all mechanics actually do the head work and valve work in house. My past experiance has them sending the heads out to a specialist. Would you agree? Since I'm doing all the wrenching myself and am only seeking the help of a machine shop to shave the head, adjust the valves, pressure test, etc...

Keep the recommendations coming!!!

 

[BlueCruiser84]

If the folks in the link don't do the machine work in house they could probably point you in the direction of a good machinist.

 

[skibob]

I can't help with a machine shop in Texas, but if you can get it to Oregon City, Clackamas auto parts is great.
I've been shopping there for about 30 years, never a complaint.
They do basic machine work, or custom, you name it. I can't say enough good about their work.

 

[scharpestguy]

Great suggestion skibob. I like the look and feel of the website and if no other closer suggestions appear my head may be headed up to Oregon.

Thanks again,

Scharpe St Guy

 

[hzavarce]

Hi Scharpestguy, have you found a good shop ?

I am also looking for one in the DFW area. I will start my HG job next week

Thanks !

 

[B Legit]

Wow, I guess I am spoiled in my area but I had no issue finding a competent place to send my head in the Seattle area. I used Earls Machine Shop, and was pleased with the work they did. They came recommended to me by the place that services my Subaru. Some suggestions and methods that I like to employ when gauging a new shop involve tricking them into giving you answers about what they know and how they operate. When I took my head in I asked if they would deck more than the factory allows so that I could gain some extra compression, of course I didn't actually want to do this but was looking to see if they were a shop that would do anything for a buck. They said that they would not ever deck past factory specs, regardless of the situation. I asked if I could use cheap valve seals instead of factory and they said that they wouldn't install them. Make sure that if they meet your expectations that they know that you are a well informed customer and that they will not be able to take advantage of you. You want to go in well informed and see how much correct information you can prompt them to deliver on the spot. This is what these guys do for a living and they should know it well. If they don't, look elsewhere. You see what I am getting at here? I would only ship my head out if it were the last possible option. I would rather drive hours in each direction than ship it, it would easily be cheaper and less risky. Gather as much information about the proper machining practices on these heads and start interviewing local shops until you find one that meets your standards.

 

[hzavarce]

I found this place in Dallas

City Motor Supply Catalogs

They also have a location in San Antonio

Does any one know anything about this shop ? It looks good

 

[IdahoDoug]

If you're shipping the head, in Spokane, WA is "Cylinder Head Service". They've done 3 80 heads beautifully and they charge $325 for a full job (valve grind, adjust valves, cleaning, measuring, testing). This is all they do and when I've been in to drop mine off there is a line of mechanics and dealer parts runners dropping heads off and the shop provides a pickup time that is almost always the same day. They're a high volume shop with a great system. Let me know if you use them and I'll put in a call for you. Best to get the Toyota valve seals to send along with your head to get the quality parts.

DougM

 

[hzavarce]

My search continues, this w-end I went by City Motor Sport, if you are in the DWF area, DON'T go there !!!

I went in, and said, " I have a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser with a 1FZ-FE, and I need to bring the head for a head job", attendant: " ohhh, those European motors are hard to work with "

Right at that moment I knew I had to get out of there running !, but I kept talking. He said things like, those motors with two crankshafts are complex... I then said again, this is a Toyota 'Japaneese'..., so ge responded, ohhh, yeah, we can do that for $150 (sounded way too low).

I think I avoided a major disaster, thanks for all the good advice B Legit, I agree, a little conversation goes a long way

Near by is Baertrax, so I went there and asked, they gave me a couple of pointers, and I ended up at a small shop run by 'Al' (owner and machinist), it is called A-1 Machine Shop. I talked to him and he was very familiar with a lot of details. He said he will charge $200 for a 'full valve job'. It sounded very low. He explained what he was going to do, but the details are still a little fuzzy to me (this is my first ever head job). The one thing I thought was odd, is that he said he did not need the camshafts, so is he not adjusting the valves ? Is that why the price is lower ?.... Based on all the info here it sounds like the cost should be closer to the $300

Thanks for all the info so far !

 

[B Legit]

He will need the camshafts to do the valve lash. Keep looking. In my experience, the head conditioning cost 100, setting my valve lash cost 175 and doing all the seals and assembly cost 150. To me , there is no other way to do it. It is great to put that head back on and with the valves already adjusted. I did not want to mess with the shims myself as I knew it would take me much longer. Dougs idea about the place in Spokane sounds like a viable option, and the price is right. I would ask them if they stock every kind of valve shim under the sun or if they tip the valve stems to adjust lash.