Is there a good or better knowledgable buick machine shop in western Wa?if not where do you guys in my area go for good machining?
Britco Machine in Centralia, WA did good work for me. They did the machine work on my Stage 2. They aren't real Buick savvy, but will give you what you ask for.
I have used ABCO machine shop in Lynnwood for a couple of builds, but am going to get closer to home and go with Kerslake in Maple Valley. I inspected the shop, asked the owner/operator how much he knew Buicks and what he has worked on. They were very informative and came recommended by Dean Kaufman. Not just a Cheby builder.
If Dean suggested them they should do quality work. Dean known for making Stocker Eliminator cars go fast.
It may be a bit out of your way, but one that has been recommended to me by a lot of buick folks here in Portland Or is Bearing Services. This is the oldest and most reputable standing mechanical shop in all of Oregon. And as far as I have heard they do a bang up job working with Buick motors.
Well i guess this gives me a few to work with now itll be up to you guys to let me know how im going to build these 2 motors the 400 goes into the 69gs and the 455 into my 69 skylark daily driver.
First, how fast do you want to go, AND Second, how much do you have to spend? I have taken a short block and with stock pistons, replaced the original cam, main and connecting rod bearings and bolted on some good flowing heads (Greg Gesslers), some TA roller rockers, TA intake, TA headers and a 1000 cfm carb and ran 12.00 all day long. Would have hit the 11's with a little bit of tuning. Now this was on a extremely low buget. The daily driver could use a quadrajet carb and save on fuel. Do you have an idea what you want to do with the cars?
today I know exactly what I want to do which was not the same thing as yesterday and it might change by the morning.that being said I dont think I am going to race either car other than maybe at a buick meet .the 69 gs I am restoring as a nice restoration my plan is to put the 67 400 into it because stock it was 340hp and with simple mods I would like to get as much hp as possible and still keep the stock look and keep the air induction and all the components .now the 69 skylark I have a 73 455 to build and that one id like to make it a sleeper and use it to burn through a few tires and that kind of thing .I would like to build the 69 gs first can I get 450 hp with stock pistons? and what are Greg Gessler heads I was thinking stage one spects on the original cast ones off the 400.and what carb? so actually the gs will be more my daily driver and the skylark will be the sleeper thanks Al
I use K&M Machine in Tumwater for the shortblock and balancing and we have a guy that's real good with heads and likes Buicks and Cadillacs right here in the Aberdeen Carquest machine shop that does the heads. We assemble ourselves. Do any of these shops you guys mentioned have the torque plates for honing the cylinders? We have never had the honing done with the plates. Can't help but think we're missing something there. 462" circle track methanol engines is what we're running. Nothing on the street. Britco has a dyno too, so your engine could be tuned before installation.
Britco got a torque plate from someplace when they did my engine. They have a good reputation with circle track and drag engines in their area I hear, but I don't hear that much being 500 mi a way. I was happy with the workmanship and service they gave me.
