Texas Jim

Am getting ready to get my block and heads worked on, but need an Olds experienced machine shop to do the work. I've mentioned this on other replies. Anyone who "KNOWS" of a really good Olds machine shop in the Central Texas or Dallas/ Ft. Worth areas, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Lady72nRob71

HAMM36 had his 455 rebuilt at a shop just south of I20, SE of dallas. He recommended them to me should I need their service. Hopefully he will chime in and add the details.

gearheads78

Who was it? I don't know anyone that is an Olds specialist but a good machine shop is a good machine shop IMO

cutlassefi

x2

Lady72nRob71

I hereby summon Carl to the thread!

71 Cutlass

Had mine done by Trevor Johnson. Here's his info:

Trevor Johnson Cylinder Heads
631 National Drive
Rockwall, TX 75032
972•772•7979

gearheads78

Trevor is great. He has done a lot of work for me in the past but only does heads. If you had a motor done it would have been from Watt next door but Watt moved to his new place in Lavon a few years ago. Watts Shop Racing Engines is one of the few in DFW I will take my stuff to.

hamm36

Metroplex Automotive Machine Shop
12717 Eastgate Rd
Mesquite, Tx 75181
972.222.2296
Rick

I am happy with his services. One man shop, and he does all types of motors.
I told him I wanted a weekend warrior that I could drive to enjoy and burn some rubber. He did the rest. I think that is what I got. Highly recommended.
He does not have an answering machine call during regular business hours M-F.

Lady72nRob71

Judging by your black signature you left in front of my house last week, you got it!

gearheads78

Yup...Rick is another one of the few I will take my stuff to. I also like Max Long in Irving

71 Cutlass

Motor not done by Watt, but by Billy McSwain across the street from Trevor Johnson. Great engine work. See JWO March 2008 for Billy McSwain story.

Texas Jim

What is JWO? If this is some well known whatever, please excuse me, plus it's early and I'm tired. Thanks in advance. And who is this Billy McSwain.

Lady72nRob71

The Journey With Olds magazine that OCA (Olds club of America) members get in the mail.
Nice magazine but just too short...
Billy McSwain is the engine builder in Rockwall that Gearhead78 mentioned.
I need to reread that article about him, now I know who it is...

gearheads78

Do you have the article that you can scan and post? I would like to see it.

Texas Jim

Yes, I'd like to read it also. I do realize that "a good machine shop is a good machine shop," but from what I've gathered on this site and what I've read in the Eng. Mod. and Tuning Guide, the shop doing the work should have a "torque plate" and know the correct procedures f/ the work on the olds block and heads. There are some differences in working the Olds and ie; Chevy block/heads. I want someone who's done plenty of Olds work; align honing, squaring the deck, boring and honing, and head work; the best machine work to do on the "G" heads. Thanks in advance.

71 Cutlass

Here is the article.
You will have to right click on the thumbnail photo at the bottom of this page and go to "open link in new window" or "open link in new tab." Once you have done this, go to the tool bar and click on the word "page." Scroll down to the word "Zoom." Go to 200 percent and the article will be large enough to read. Sorry for any inconvenience, but I'm not a "tech" or computer guru, and am not familiar with all the ways one can list a photo/article.
If this is a hassel or doesn't work, I have copied the written portion of the page from JWO below.

It all began with a phone call to my friend, and current OCA Treasurer Gene Crowdis. My 71 Cutlass convertible was in need of a complete engine rebuild and I was very concerned about who would be doing the work. When I made contact with Gene he immediately suggested Billy McSwain. "Billy knows Oldsmobiles. If I was having an engine rebuilt, I would take it to Billy." I have a tremendous amount of respect for Gene, and felt that his suggestion was most likely the best path for me to take.
Long story short, I had my car towed about 45 minutes away to Rockwall, Tx. , the home of McSwain Automotive. Mr. McSwain has been turning wrenches for over thirty years and is no stranger to Oldsmobiles. He has done repairs on local club members cars and built 455 Olds motors for boats he has raced on area lakes. I went out to meet Billy, and despite the enormous operation he conducts, he took time out ,treated me as a friend, and seemed very concerned about doing a great job with my Cutlass. I explained that I was interested in turning my 350 motor into a W-31 motor, and together we planned the necessary steps to having the proper head work done, what pistons would be needed, etc. Much of the concept for my engine build up came from John Stolpa at Rocket Racing, and most of the parts from Edelbrock and Dick Miller Racing. Billy listened to the concept and put together a plan to have everything done to the exact detail. He said he wanted me to be happy with the final outcome.
After several weeks, the day came for me to pick up my car. Everything seemed perfect and I was another happy customer in an Oldsmobile. Tragedy soon struck however, when a lobe on the camshaft was shaved down. I returned the car and Billy and his team began a quick diagnosis. Sure that everything had been done properly from his end, Billy was not too happy with the cam company. However, his job was to please me, so he set out to rebuild the motor once again. Sinking close to one thousand dollars of his own money into my motor (new crank shaft,etc.), Billy had everything re-done in just a few weeks. I got the call and once again headed out to McSwain Automotive to retrieve my Cutlass. Upon arrival, I was notified that I owed no money for the labor or new parts that were required to complete the job properly. Billy McSwain had put almost one thousand dollars of his money into MY car and felt it was a necessary step, in achieving a goal he takes pride in…satisfying his customers. He told me, "I’ve done a lot of Oldsmobiles for the local club members over the years, and I’ve always enjoyed dealing with them. Maybe in return, you could just send a few of them my way sometime."
You know, it’s been said that good guys finish last. I don’t believe that’s true, and Billy McSwain is living proof of that. Being friendly to others and taking the time to make them happy makes one a winner in my eyes. You know, Pat Yancey is fond of saying, "You meet the nicest people in an Oldsmobile." Well, in this case, I guess it’s also true to say that some of the nicest people you meet work on Oldsmobiles as well.
By the way, the project turned out perfectly…another satisfied customer.

Texas Jim

I want to thank you guys f/ the info on shops in the Dallas area. I'm about 60 miles north of Austin, about 135 miles south of Dallas. I don't mind driving what so ever to get good work done, plus 150 miles isn't anything on our roads here in Texas. (I-35 N.) I'm going to check them all out f/ sure.
'71 Cutlass, I read the article in small form, and I really appreciate you posting it. This guy not only sounds like he knows his stuff, but honest on top of that, which means alot to me. Sounds like this guy is a good prospect to do the work.
Whoever blew up the print on the article, thanks much.

Freddy B

Jim I sent you a pm.