good machine shop

[moondog]

Anyone know of any good amc capable machine shops in arkansas or surrounding states. I am willing to travel. I just dont want to trust anyone with my 401. Its out of a 77 chero. thanks.

[Ralph]

The machine work isn't rocket science. It's a V8. One thing to make sure is that it's "rebuildable," in that the maximum overbore recomended by AMC was 0.0225".

Some guys on this board will hopefully chime in on their experience with 0.040" overbores, but the general rule is that you will need a larger radiator to cope with possible overheating.

[Cecil14]

Unless the block has a hole in it or some other substancial problem it can almost always be sleeved. Sleeving is not suppose to be all that expensive from what I've heard and can put you back at stock bore so you don't have to worry at all about overheating problems.

Anthony

[moondog]

Thanks guys I guess I have heard to manny stories about sloppy machine work. The engines runs now but has 200,000 on it and getting a little weak.

[Cecil14]

What I would do is go around to the various parts stores there and ask who they recommend for machine work. Check with anybody that does automotive work, dealers, heck even check with the school auto shop if there is one.

edit: oh yah, and always, ALWAYS, talk to the machinist. I would never send something out to someone I couldn't speak with directly. I wanna know the guy that's doing my work.

Anthony

[ February 27, 2004, 07:36 PM: Message edited by: Cecil14 ]

[Elliott]

Originally posted by moondog:
Thanks guys I guess I have heard to manny stories about sloppy machine work. The engines runs now but has 200,000 on it and getting a little weak.

It is not rocket science. However, plenty of machine shops can't even get the big three done right consistently. Having experience with taking off make engines to "reputable" shops only to have them "goof" things considerably I don't recommend chancing it with those who are not only going to be unfamiliar with your motor... but typically have no respect for it either.
It's not that you have an irreplacable diamond, but how many cranks have you read about being screwed up by incompetents.
Personally, your best bet is to find somebody near you that not only knows AMC, but will do the job right the first time... and enjoy doing it. A lot of hacks out there think you have a b@$tard block and their work is likely to reflect it.
There are going to be shops near you. I'd send my short block back to WA State if there weren't any shops in DFW.
Ask around on one of these sites for a place near you, if the guys race what they build it's all the better for you:
1) http://amcforum.tripod.com/
2) http://pub186.ezboard.com/bamcforum
3) http://www.classicone.com/amo/links/links.htm
4) http://www.amcwc.com/cgi-bin/message...sageboard.html

[Elliott]

Link to nation wide AMC clubs: http://www.yesterdays-cars.com/AMC_clubs.htm

AR Machine Shops:

http://www.machineshopweb.com/shopsA2Z/ar.htm

AR Speed Shops, etc:

http://www.anythingarkansas.com/recreation/Motorsports.html

[ February 27, 2004, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: Elliott ]

[moondog]

Thanks guys I guess I have heard to manny stories about sloppy machine work. The engines runs now but has 200,000 on it and getting a little weak.