Any recommendations for a overhauler in the Western Suburbs of Chicago? Nothing tricky, just a stock overhaul

I was born in Oak Park (6400W and Chicago Ave.), and I have a recommendation:
Bring your engine to Detroit because Chicago will fleece you. That sounds extreme, but I mean every word. Chicago mechanics are as good as they come, but as with Boston, you won't find a reasonable price.

My choice is D&S Engine Specialists. I have used them many times over the past 20 years:
http://www.dsengine.com/index.html
Click on their warranty button. Note their included warranty for a car engine: 2-years or 28,000 miles.
They are FULL service, meaning, they can pull the engine, store your car, rebuild the engine, and re-install, all covered under the warranty. Of course, if you just want them to do the engine, you can send it to them. I use them for all my machining and valve grinding. They employ about a dozen guys who specialize in different engine areas. They do classic, antique, and racing engines. Like I said, full service.
Recently, I brought a bent valve in, from my Edelbrock Performer RPM head. Two days later, they had a new stainless valve for half the price of Edelbrock. Call them for prices. You will be plesantly surprised. Hope this helps you. - Dave

Keith,
Depends on your engine! Most engine shops can do OK with the 430-455 and later engines. If you have a Nailhead, you really need a specialist. Some modern repair techniques can trash a Nailhead. Do your homework, find a machine shop that speaks fluent Nailhead.
Tim

DO NOT under any circumstances let the rebuilder try to get you to install hardened seats in the heads. The iron in the nailhead has enough nickle in it to handle today's unleaded fuels. The only thing that can be accomplished by installing hardened seats is a great chance of cutting into a water jacket.

A friend of mine who lives in the Detroit area just had a nailhead rebuilt and he loves it. I'll get the name of the firm from him - it might be the same guys that Tim is referring to.

I don't know about pricing, but I do know that when Paul, my friend in Detroit, moved there from AZ, he was amazed at the resources he found in "the motor city." I know that he had Maury Rose's son involved in some part of the rebuild on his nailhead. Maury Rose was the winner of the Indy 500 some years back. He passed his knowledge of race engines down to his son.

Ed



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Machine shops are not all created equal. Detroit area machine shops (the good ones) have bought the old, big, equipment, and are able to do the real long engines. Most 'run of the mill' shops couldn't be bothered with anything longer than a straight six.

D&S has such equipment, as shown in their web photos. I am in no way tied to this shop, other than being a long-term customer. Milt Schornak, (from Royal Pontiac fame), also uses this engine builder for his specialty engines. I've seen Milt there many times.

Check-out this straight-eight Dusenburg engine they did:
Again, the job comes with a full two-year, 28,000 mile warranty. They've done this a few times, and they truly are engine specialists. - Dave Dare

leave your valve seals out when you rebuild it,for todays cheap gas