block rebuild, clear the fog...

[Eclipsethis90]

OK so I've spent the last 3 hours or so reading and gathering information on rebuilding my bottom end. I am wanting .020 over Wiseco's with the 8.3cr. I keep reading the wisemen and mods and others talk about how important it is to "find a good machinist". I just moved to Beaufort, SC and I finally have saved enough to rebuild my whole engine. I know to ask if they are going to use a tourqe plate while boring and honing, and i know that .003 to .0035 is the recommended piston clearance to the cylinder wall, but I still have no idea how to gauge this shop's reputation. What kinds of questions should I ask my local machine shop to see if can utilize thier services and trust them? Also, would it be wise to assemble the engine myself and inspect thier work afterwards or let them assemble it after the machining? Note: I am a machinist so measuring the bore diameters and assembling the engine doesn't bother me one bit.

 

[i1nk83]

i would reccomend going to several automotive shops and asking them who they prefer for machine work. most shops will know the best machine shop in town. hope that helps

 

[Eclipsethis90]

not a bad idea, the only issue i have is the shop down here specializes in honda. I don't know how much rebuilding a honda bottom end has to do with a mitsu, but I'll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the tip, I never thought of that.

 

[blackGSX2g]

Asking other automotive shops wouldn't be a bad idea. I prefer to stroll in and just talk to the machinist and try to get a feel for how they are and how they do their work. I went through many local shops and found most of them to be against imports and 4-cylinders, and that scared me. I gave up and brought it to Dave Buschur's to get bored, honed, tanked, etc. The next day I found an excellent local machinist, but it was too late.

As far as assembly, I would do it yourself. That way you know that everything was done to your specs. You say you are a machinist, you'd have no problem at all assembling it.

Good luck!