How to choose a head machine shop? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pifcat2 · #1 08-20-2010, 07:06 PM

What makes a "good" shop? Most machinists should be competent, I'm just concerned there are specifics to these heads they can screw up if they aren't familiar with them...

Billybob · #2 08-20-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pifcat2

What makes a "good" shop? Most machinists should be competent, I'm just concerned there are specifics to these heads they can screw up if they aren't familiar with them...

Why not use Metric Motors down in LA, they have a great reputation for both the work they do and their service. I'm not certain but I think all they do is Mercedes engines.

jhodg5ck · #3 08-20-2010, 07:59 PM

i've worked on 3 Metric engines, they all showed up @ the shop having died prematurely.

two were major failures, one was minor.."just" a wiped cam..
thx but no thx.

Jonathan

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Billybob · #4 08-20-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhodg5ck

i've worked on 3 Metric engines, they all showed up @ the shop having died prematurely.

two were major failures, one was minor.."just" a wiped cam..
thx but no thx.

Jonathan

----------------
Now playing: Ben Folds Five - Smoke
via FoxyTunes

Hey, I would certainly defer to your experience, mine is limited to a couple diesel cylinder heads, one on a engine of mine and a couple installed on other folks engines. My experience is they answer the phone and get back to you with any question, everything was shipped well and on time without a hassle, and they are upfront about costs. I can’t offer much about the quality control other than I’ve got about 50 K on my 603 remanufactured head without any problem so far.

But I for one appreciate you weighing in on the issue as I don’t recall others having any problems with Metric, but most people would never get a chance to ever know anything more than their own experience with their own engine I’d suppose. You obviously have a much broader perspective particularly with the gasoline engines based on your business dealing with them.

Thoughts or recommendations on a shop that you do use wouldn’t be ignored by most and certainly not by me. I’m in complete agreement with your philosophy of paying more to have fewer problems in the long run, I do work on other folk’s vehicles at times and the hassle of having a major problem to save a few dollars is a very poor business practice.