need some advice- machine shop

[showtime3492]

Hey everyone,
So 2 months ago I dropped my block off at a local machine shop along with stroker crank and rods and the head. All to be machined and assembled into a 4.6 stroker. Well 2 weeks ago I called and the machine shop said it will be done this week. Well 2+ weeks later still no call.. I was wondering what you think the proper actions would be since I feel 2 months is a very reasonable amount of time to build a 4.6.

[Dezertxj88]

Don't call bud. Get yourself in that shop and ask why you were given a deadline and it was not met, and then why were you not informed by anyone that it would take longer. Them as a business should be on top of calling incase of any delays..machines break and such so I can understand a delay...however the non-contact is an issue!

Get in there, bring a camera and a pen/paper...document whats going on with your motor, write down details and get pics. My machine shop is more than happy to allow any customer to walk in during business hours and see whats going on with their direct project.

[604rail_king]

I've yet to find a machine shop capable of meeting an engine build dead line even when given ample time.

Most machine shops typically squeeze portions of your job between other jobs. And sadly it often gets started on late depending on how busy the shop is and the small in/out jobs in a day still have to get done.

Not to say that it can't be done however I've found that if youre around more talking to your machinst, dropping off parts, ect ... They tend to move quicker. I would NOT go to your machinist and regulate ... Rather just ask him for an update. Then stay in contact more frequently in between the new eta.

[EVIL95XJ]

my machine shop quoted me 5 days and ended up taking nearly 2 weeks but we ended up having to completely redo the head, and that was just the machine work, im doing the assembly

[showtime3492]

So I finally got a hold of the guy. He said he has all of the machine work done minus line honing it. Tomorrow I am going over to the shop to look at it and drop the oil pan off so he can go right into assembly... I'm going to make sure what he said he got done is actually done n if its not I'm loading it up and taking it to another shop I talked to. I'll post up the results tomorrow evening.

[IH 392]

I've yet to find a machine shop capable of meeting an engine build dead line even when given ample time.

YEP!, I saw it firs hand every day when I worked at the machine shop!
When I took my parts in last fall I didn't tell them I was in no hurry (NEVER! tell them that!) but I had no expectation of getting it in a timely manor either.

[604rail_king]

yep. if you tell them youre not in a rush, they only work on it when they are bored or extremely slow. this isnt an insult to machinists, its just an observation and based on the nature of the industry. custom jobs are never any faster (or cheaper)

[showtime3492]

So I went to the shop today, talked to the guy for a while. He was unloading my kit if parts as I pulled up. I looked all the parts over and they all checked out well new cam .030 over pistons bearings, etc etc I looked at my block and it had been decked down a small amount he said he would final deck it once the pistons were in it. So I moved on to asking when he thought it would be done. I asked if it was possible in two to three weeks and he said yes. So that's where its at right now. Hopeful to have it back n ready to go by then.

[showtime3492]

So I'm awaiting further news on the progress of my stroker build. About two weeks ago he said three weeks so I really don't know what to do after that if he doesn't hold good ob that or at least relatively close.

[SIXPAK]

In my opinion, they have done the work, let them finish. Visit every day to check up. Then if you have any issues they can't say your problem was the guy who put the finish hone on or did the assembly wrong. THEN YOUR STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. Chalk it to experience and don't give them your money again. just my opinion.

[showtime3492]

In my opinion, they have done the work, let them finish. Visit every day to check up. Then if you have any issues they can't say your problem was the guy who put the finish hone on or did the assembly wrong. THEN YOUR STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. Chalk it to experience and don't give them your money again. just my opinion.

I know the guy is a good engine builder he is huge in circle track racing here. He builds tons of Sprint car engines he is just slow and slow on communication. He doesn't have a big work force at his shop but everything is pretty stayed of the art so I'm confident the engine will function well. It's been 8 months without my jeep and 3 almost since he has had the block crank and rods.

[showtime3492]

Well 3 weeks later still no engine... Briefly talked to a guy at the shop he said come back tomorrow when the owner was back. Probably gonna take my money elsewhere.