Patrick,
I've always felt that my first impressions of a shop (or anything) are
usually (read "NOT ALWAYS") dead on. If I had to argue with my mechanic to
do the right job i.e. pinning the washers, then I would always worry that
the right job was really done (and done well). How difficult is it to check
the balancing of the crank rather than just "deduct" from eyeballing the
journals that it was balanced?
Seems to me they're used to a) not being questioned, and b) cutting corners
to make a buck. Make your own deductions.
Good luck.
Michael
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_____(_o___o_)_______________________
/ \
| Michael Graziano |
| Long Term Capital Management L.P. |
| Phone: 203-552-5706 |
| Fax: 203-552-5869 |
| Email: mgrazian@ltcm.com |
\_____________________________________/
-----Original Message-----
From: Bowen, Patrick A [mailto:PABowen@sar.med.navy.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 3:08 AM
To: 'spitfires@autox.team.net'; pbowen9685@aol.com
Subject: machine shops
Here are a couple (more) questions for the masses about a machine shop I
dropped my engine off at today. More of a does this make sense than
anything.
I was referred to this place so I gave them a chance. I asked about hot
tanking and they told me they blast the blocks and that hot tanking or
baking was unnecessary, how effective is this? is it bad or will it do a
good job? (he didn't say what type of media, he was actually pretty rude).
I asked about line boring the crank and balancing it, he said that the crank
journals look to be in almost perfect condition and if they were that good
there is no problem with the crank and that it retains its factory balancing
and theres no need to line bore or magnaflux, probably just polish. I
decided to have the thrustwashers pinned and it was a ten minute arguement
to get it done. the shop was not too clean or organized but I fell back on
the fact that they were recommended by a well know cylinder head machine
shop (they rebuilt mine). Does this all sound reasonable, or should I run
back to the machine shop and get my engine?
starting to wonder if this was a good idea?
Patrick Bowen
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