I need to have the heads redone on my 364. Any machine shop recommendations in San Diego or somewhere not to far? I would like to find a shop that is familiar with the Nailhead.
Mesa Machine in Escondido seems to work on older stuff... (760)746-2815... Can't hurt to give them a call...
I like Quality Machine in Kearny Mesa. Done two engines for me. Father son operation. Heads are easy for them, you won't be disappointed. Used to run the NAPA machine shop.
I have only the worst experience with their job. I bought my car from some fela from California. Nice rust free car with very low price. Last fall i disassembled engine made by MESS-A-MASHINE shop. I couldn't figure out why my engine didn't have cold start slap but had hot scraping noise... Long story short, they managed to squiz ,040 pistons into ,030 overbore, go figure. I won't even start on the rest of the ruined engine. Labor? Mashining invoice for 4300$, 12 years ago, engine died before hitting 16k miles. Currently at 0.15'' on trust bearing.... Heads beyond repair. Peace, Kacper.
Well then don’t use Mesa Machine.. I’ve only had them hot tank parts, and basic machine work in the past for street car stuff... Do you even know if they actually built the motor, or just did the machine work “some one” asked for, so that “someone” could assemble the motor themselves? Either way, I threw it out as an opinion because I have seen “older” motors around the shop.. Gary G.
From invoices it looks like they've built this motor. They left theyr metal tag around dizzy. But i can't know for sure i wasn't there. Peace, Kacper.
How the hell do you squeeze .040" over pistons in a .030" overbore??? Can it be done??? How big of a sledge hammer had to be used????
Tom, i don't know how they done it yet. I need to pull that anchor out. When i do it i'll take pictures of micrometer in the bore and , 040 stamped on the dome. Walls has mirror like finish(0 oil retention) and 2 scraped marks from out of round oversized rings. Peace, Kacper.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Really appreciated. I finally got my hands on some good core heads. The heads that were on the engine were badly recessed. o much so I was questioning if different exhaust valve springs were used due to the height difference between I and E. To give you an idea I did a leakdown test (no upper end installed so all valves "closed"). 90 psi in would hold about 20psi. Blowing like mad out of both intake and exhaust ports on the heads. Bad news. Thanks again for the info. Nice to see some Buick guys around San Diego.
I was running around out there all day started in pauma valley to Oceanside to San Diego ended up at Chula Vista country club then back towards Ontario
