Thread: Beware of Machine shop

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Anyone else on the Panhandle of Florida listen up with regards to machine work.

Valve tech is the name of the machine shop. Dropped of a set of small block 400 heads for some work. Gave them the valve and springs I had bought new.

Work being done is clean and magnaflux.
Mild bowl work porting, machine for larger valves,
Install new guides
assemble with 3 angle valve job.

Now keep in mind I gave him new Manley valves and springs.

First estimate was $300.
A call 1 week later was give me another week and the estimate was $375.

$ weeks after I dropped it off and still not done, and now the estimate is $450.

When I challenged the owner on the estimates he says "I dunno the guys at my shop doing the work must have found some things that were wrong, or needed to be fixed." I tell him your suppossed to call me if thats the case before you do anything. He then said well Im giving you off the top of my head...when the work is all done we will have an accurate amount.

Unfortunately I made the mistake of giving the guy $200 bucks when I dropped the heads off, cause it was a christmas gift to my Dad as it is his motor.....otherwise Id would have gotten my valves and springs back and walked. I think Im gonna get the shaft on thiswork regardless. Will post again once I have picked up the finished product.

Sounds like the original estimate didn't include the 3 angle valve job. Did you put some kind of mark on them to ID when you get them back. I always mark mine with a number metal stamp. Better keep an eye on that bunch, maybe make an unannouced visit.

Unfortunately there are people out there like that. Alwyas check out a machine shop especialey if there doing work on your engine.

Is that the Valve Tech in Ft Walton?