Well, I've been using the same machine shop for over 20 years. A two-man operation that I trusted with Oldsmobile stuff, and they charge very reasonable prices. Both John and Randy have become friends as I spent a fair amount of time in their shop. The owner (John) has been threatening to retire for several years. But at 75 He was still feeling strong and enjoyed doing what he did. This spring he began to have some stomach problems. It turned out to be a tumor in his abdomen. He lost his battle with cancer a couple days ago. I'm in my late 60's but this is a reminder we've no guarantee of tomorrow. Kind of a wakeup call for me. I will miss my friend and his skills as he helped me with a lot of projects over the years.

 

I'm very sorry to hear of your friends passing. As you say, we are not guaranteed tomorrow, live every day to it's fullest.

 

We are here for a good time, not a long time.

My trusted machine shop/friend retired a few years ago. He raced Pontiac, and never argued with the oddball requests that Oldsmobile engines need. I’m fortunate that the engine had held together for over 20 years. Having said all that, I’m well aware that sooner than later, I’m going to have to freshen my current engine, or build another. I’m dreading finding a new machinist.


I just turned 53 years old. Other than being “dangerously underweight” I’m pretty healthy. I’m definitely not 20 anymore, crawling around in the garage hurts the next day. I’m a few years away from retirement, I have every intention of getting out of here while I’m still young enough to enjoy life. I’m amazed at the number of people who have worked 45-50 years in here, can barely walk, and refuse to retire. If you haven’t prepared for retirement after 40 years, something is wrong. And if working is the only benefit of living, then that’s wasted opportunities.

Just my opinion.

 

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

John - Sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

Sorry to hear you lost a good friend John. Life is short so for my birthday today, I got a colonoscopy.
All good but at 63 you have to start checking stuff guys, so if you haven't done it, do it! It could save your life.

 

I'm about to stop being 45, and I have heard the bastards now say 45 is the time for the butt pipe. The comedian Mike Goodwin said 50 for it, 45 if you're black, and he got it at 42 since he is extra black, he says.

 

Sorry for your loss. Yep in my mid 60’s, losing friends already. Sad but none of us gettin out alive. I try to stay busy on my cars, hit the gym a couple times a week and enjoy life as much as possible with my wife, family and a couple friends. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact we aren’t that young and the knowledge and wisdom of some of our car guys isn’t going to be here forever. My wife has some medical things that hit you like a brick at times.. Seems yesterday all was fun and games, carefree living. But the best thing for us is stay positive, live every moment we can in happiness and laugh abundantly. God bless, stay positive, live the best we can..

 

I’m really sorry to hear about your friend, that’s a tough loss. Sounds like John was a great guy and a true craftsman. I’m a new member here but an old time lurker, and your post really hit home. It’s a good reminder to appreciate the people and moments we have.

 

Automotive machine shops are going the way of the dodo bird.
Modern engine technology and improved lubricants have greatly improved the life of engines.
So much so that they outlast the rusting bodies and failing irreplaceable electronic gizmos.
Regular engine overhauls are the bread and butter of many machine shops, and performance/racing work was icing on the cake.

 

Sorry for your loss...

 

I beg to differ, my modern car developed bad rings at 90k miles and burns nearly 2 quarts of oil per thousand miles now. And don't get me started with GM's latest engine fiasco. Don't mistake an engine being less rebuilable for being more reliable.

 

I don't know where everything turned that corner, most engine became more reliable with EFI, Ford's especially, but definitely true now. Hearing bad things from nearly all manufacturers, including Toyota. Some get remedies, some never do. My Challenger with the Pentastar has been great but even the Pentastar had major issues early on and has some design flaws. Mine has been nearly flawless, no ticks or oil consumption. Not even a failed oil filter housing yet, have a Dorman aluminum housing and cap waiting, also a PUG intake and will get 8 hole injectors, since it all has to come off to do it. Helps I do my own oil changes and use a torque wrench. I really wonder if it is direct injection and things like weld on cylinder liners causing all the oil consumption issues. That is why I am a bit leary of trying the Hurricane Inline 6. Direct injection, weld on cylinder liners and no dipstick!

 

Toyota is suffering from a young idiots problem right now. They hire based on demographics rather than merit, and that practice has been going on for a decade, so we may have lost criticality in the US design center in regards to enough old white guys to keep the place running while the new generation is the ones on the website pictures.

 

Look up the “Peter Principle”.

I have always known of the symptom, but recently learned it has an official name.

 

The "Peter Principle" has always been in use, Some people reach their plateau sooner than others unless "nepotism" is used. This promotes based on family, friends, relatives or personal loyalty. Merit is based on a subjective judgement. .

 

Peter Principle promotes people who are good at a job to a level to which they are not good. Promoting on things other than merit promotes people who are not good at a job to a level where they are still not good, but now have authority. It's worse.