Machine Shop ?

[beertracker]

Can any one recommend a machine shop near Houston or Tomball, TX that you are happy with? I am located north west Houston.

My Pontiac 455 block needs;

rebore
crank needs to checked, resized, balanced
8 cast rods need re-sizing, balancing.

I am new to this stuff so are the rods and crank balanced with pistons as a rotating assembled unit or are the crank and rods balanced separately?

Thanks,
bt

[moneypit]

Westside performance and machine did a good job for me.

[wovenweb]

Not from personal experience, but I know several Buick guys who speak highly of G and G Performance in Tomball.

[ponyakr]

Might try to contact John Clegg. They have fielded lots of quick Pontiac drag cars. They probably know the best place in south TX for Pontiac machine work.

http://missiongarage.com/photos.htm

I don't know anything about this place. But they list a "Pontiac 400 GTO Ram Air lll V8", with cast rods. The price is low. But, it probably has the 8-eyebrow cast pistons. But, they advertise that they build custom engines. "Each of our engines can be custom built to your specifications." Might be worth checkin out.

http://www.rebuiltcrateengines.com/pontiac-400-gto-ram-air-iii-v8-p-2155.html

http://www.rebuiltcrateengines.com/custom_quote.php


"...are the rods and crank balanced with pistons as a rotating assembled unit.."

Yes. The entire rotating assembly is all balanced together.

[beertracker]

I talked to G&G and Westside Performance finally decided to go with Westside. Thanks for your suggestions.

bt

[Larry Navarro]

thumbs down on G&G.......both mine and another neighbors engine had problems. Mine was NOT machined correctly, which rendered the block and main caps useless for another build.

[beertracker]

thumbs down on G&G.......both mine and another neighbors engine had problems. Mine was NOT machined correctly, which rendered the block and main caps useless for another build.

Thanks for the update. After I talked to G&G on the phone some thing told me to run away! bt

[Lee]

I've not used Westside for actual machine work, but have spent a day with them while using their dyno. I REALLY enjoyed working with them, and would not hesitate to use them, if they were closer (I'm in the Clear Lake part of town). I will be highly surprised if you are not happy with their work.

As for John Clegg, I'm pretty sure he uses USA Racing, by Hobby Airport. Seems like every time I've ever been in there, they have at least one of his motor in there for some sort of work.

[wovenweb]

Good to know, as I noted, I didn't have first hand experience with them, just that a few Buick guys I've met/bought/traded parts with have used them and been satisfied with their work. Includes 2 or 3 10 second street cars.

[gixxer711]

I talked to G&G and Westside Performance finally decided to go with Westside. Thanks for your suggestions.

bt

Did you ever get your work done? How did it work out? I live in cypress and was told they would be the best for pontiac by a few people. One of my friends has used them for years on Chevy engines.

[ponyakr]

Not from Houston, so I don't know which shops can do Pontiac stuff right.

But, just from Googling, this place might be a possibility, at least for the crank work--or not ?

http://texonmotorcenter.com/remanufactured-crankshaft-kits-in-houston-tx/

This rebuilder shows a decent lookin Pontiac engine build.

http://www.precisionengine.com/rebuilt-engines/pontiac-crate-engines/thejudge.html

But, as mentioned, John Clegg has built lots of fast Pontiacs. So, you gotta believe he'd use the best shop in the area.

[beertracker]

Did you ever get your work done? How did it work out? I live in cypress and was told they would be the best for pontiac by a few people. One of my friends has used them for years on Chevy engines.

No, not yet. I am still collecting parts and I got busy porting 6x heads. I still plan to go with Westside.

My crank needs to be checked out and balanced. After that the block needs a mag flux, rebore and probably zero deck job depending on which pistons I use. It's a never ending street project but I love it! bt

[beertracker]

Quote:
Originally Posted by beertracker View Post
I talked to G&G and Westside Performance finally decided to go with Westside. Thanks for your suggestions.
bt quote

gixxer711 quote
Did you ever get your work done? How did it work out? I live in cypress and was told they would be the best for pontiac by a few people. One of my friends has used them for years on Chevy engines. quote

Yes, I have my 455 block back from Westside Performance and am very happy. Westside is a A1 operation! I see you are in Cypress, I am near 249 and Cypresswood. bt

[gixxer711]

Yes, I have my 455 block back from Westside Performance and am very happy. Westside is a A1 operation! I see you are in Cypress, I am near 249 and Cypresswood. bt

Glad to hear you are happy with the work. Unfortunately we sold our Trans Am and the 455 I picked up to build will likely go next. :-ohwell:

Hope you made it thru the floods ok. Big sections were bad over there. I’m huffmeister and barker Cypress.

[beertracker]

Glad to hear you are happy with the work. Unfortunately we sold our Trans Am and the 455 I picked up to build will likely go next. :-ohwell:

Hope you made it thru the floods ok. Big sections were bad over there. I’m huffmeister and barker Cypress.

Sorry to hear about your TA. Yeah, the flood was bad. Cypress creek was one street away from flooding our house in Prestonwood Forest. There are many houses here that are still being repaired. bt