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Shipping an A-series motor

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drooartz

drooartz

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Okay, I'm just starting my search for a local machine shop that I can trust to work on my 1275. I'm also considering what it would take to have the block shipped to someone who really knows what they're doing.

Anyone here with experience shipping an A-series block? How about an entire motor? Just trying to get an idea of cost and such, so I can have that in the back of my mind as I'm researching the local options.
 
I'm going to ask him as well when I give him a call this week. Just figured y'all might have some experience in this.

I'm not certain what I'm going to find local, and it might be worth the extra shipping to send it off to someone (like Hap, for instance) who would be able to insure that things were done properly. I'm not afraid to spend a little more if I can be sure the work will be done properly the first time.
 
Drew,

I had a 1275 engine trucked from Kansas to NJ and it cost about $250. This included an extra charge for the truck that delivered it to my house. It needed a lift gate to drop it down on my driveway.
 
I shipped a 1275 from NJ to WI about a year ago, it was $230 but I had to bring it to the shipping dock.
That was one way, you have to remember a return trip.
I would look for a machine shop locally, the shippiong is going to be more than the machine work.
 
You may not be able to find someone with vast experience on A-series, but you should be able to find a clean professional shop that will stand behind their work and take time to explain things to you and have a good reputation. I would have Hap send you a checklist of things that need special attention on an A series block so you can review it with the machinist.

Also, if there is a classic car club (even if it is American car club) they may be able to help you know which shops to check out and which shops to avoid.
 
Drew, there's a fellow in downtown SLC that just does brit stuff. I had him rebuild my carbs when I was driving through on my way from CA to Ont.

I don't think he does his own machining, but he should be able to offer a referral to a competent machine shop in the area. I'll drag up my receipt if you need a name... and/or your local MGOC should be able to help with a referral.

I'd say the only reason to have to ship it would be if there were no one local who could competently do it...
 
Duncan, that's probably Mike Bailey, he's the local LBC guru/shop. I'm going to try to get hold of him this week, and will be calling Hap also to get the info I need to take to the machine shop.

I'm a member of the local British Motor Club of Utah, so I'm sure I can find some sort of recommendation. I figured it was worth asking on shipping, just to get an idea of the price and folks' experience. As with every project I take on, this is all new to me.

I am excited, though, with that nice stripped block sitting in my garage just waiting to be cleaned up and rebuilt. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
not sure if they are still there, but there used to be a parts store called "boyds import" in ogden. Talk to Dewey. It's been 10 years ago since I lived there, but he was the old school import car guy in the area. He would be able to give you some further advice.

I understand your reservations about utah local businesses. I was less than impressed with most of them when I went to school there.
 
Not so much that I have reservations, but that I just don't have any experience with machine shops, nor do I really know what to look for. Just need to educate myself a bit.
 
Unless there is some hidden bullet in the A series engine I don't know about, most machine work is machine work. If a shop can do a small block chevy he can do a LBC motor. Boiling, boring, honing, pressing in bearings and turing cranks is common to all engines. And believe me, there are more complex engine than these!

The magic comes in the assembly!

If I'm wrong, someone with more experience will surely chime in. Get advice from your local LBC club.
 
First thing to do when dealing with truck frieght is get a account started, this alone will net you a 50-60% discount, it doesn't matter if you're only going to ship just one time. I shiipped a MGB engine from Greenville to Houston for $115.00 for an example.

Second thing is if you are going to get someoen to just do component amchine work for you, you can ship every piece of a A-series engine via UPS, even the block, if you are assembling yourslf, then this is the way to go.
 
Wondered about UPS, the bits are not too bad by themselves. It is my opinion it is the crank and the block together that hurt backs.

Drew, if Hap is doing the head. I would suggest that all else could be done locally as well.

Just give em the block and the crank and cam, oil pump, oil pick up, cam gears and chain and ask em to let you know what else they need in what sizes, ie bearings, pistons and rings to assemble a short block for you. This is not rocket science, especialy for a street engine but it does require a few special tools kinda and a bit of specialised knowledge, it is not just a bolt it up operation. I would expect that with you providing the parts that the job would be equal to or less than the shiping, maybe $300 bucks for everything but balanceing and lighting the flywhell if that is your intention.
 
Hap shipped a 1275 block and crank to me using UPS. They came in separate packages. It was much less than the prices mentioned here.

One caviat to the "If he can do Chevys, he can do 1275s" Many machine shops don't have a boring bar small enough! I ran into this locally. The first shop I went to is known for their skill, but didn't have the $2000 tiny bar for the small bore of an 1100. I had to take it to the shop I don't like, because they have been around for 30 years and have the tiny boring bar.
 
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