Quality Auto Machine

What an awesome machine shop. Retapped something that I needed done. Master of his trade.

Super trustworthy and reliable. These guys were my favorites when they were at NAPA. He bought all the machines and opened his own shop. SO glad they are in business, it has been hard finding a reliable general machine shop anywhere in San Diego.
Do not hesitate to take anything to them. They’re awesome!

I needed my b18b head resurfaced, so I gave these guys a call. I took my head in and got it back that same day. I would recommend these guys, very fast turn around time.

Noël has been a machinist about as long as I have been a body & paint shop owner.. . and that is a long time! He not only does quality work, as the name says, but he does what he says. Oh, and his prices are very reasonable. So, if you ever need any kind of machining, even if you are not sure what you need, call Noël. He does his best to help everyone.

As far as my car goes I am that guy who does all the work himself unless I am simply stumped or cannot afford the specialty tool. In this case I was unable to properly replace my turbo studs on my race car due to a failure involving a stud sheering off inside the manifold.
The problem further compounded when I knew that I simply could not drill it out and replace it with a bigger stud. I had already purchased and installed 3 of the 4 replacement studs made from a special metal that doesn’t fatigue under high temperatures. I proceeded to make many phone calls around town and spoke with many individuals who had no idea what I was talking about until I found Noël at Quality Auto Machine!
Not only does he know his stuff and understand the heat turbos generate he has a sense of humor! He was also very honest in his time frame with how long it would take and never gave me the run around. Furthermore, his prices were the best I could find in town. I know exactly where I am taking my head for resurfacing when I rebuild my engine or any other machining needs.

I took a Volvo Penta (GM 350ci) to Quality Auto Machine, Inc. for a total rebuild inclusive of boring the cylinders, rods, pistons, bearings, rings, machine heads, stainless steel valves, hardened valve seats (exhaust), turn the crank, new lifters, seals/​gaskets, etc. I was given a verbal estimate of $ 1600 to which I agreed. Estimated time in shop about 1 week.
Actual time in shop was 3 weeks, with actual cost of $ 2,060. Engine reinstalled in boat (raw water cooled), started running ruff within the first hour of operation. Put my mechanic back on the project to find the problem. After checking the timing, fuel system, etc., I was given the go ahead to use the boat, but not to exceed 2,000rpm. Headed for the Coronado Islands. Roughly 1 hour into the trip, engine was again running rough. By the time we hit the south island, boat was stalling out at low rpm. We decided it in our best interest to head back to S.D. to try and avoid a tow back from Mexican waters. To our surprise, we made it back to Shelter Island. Boat Mechanic brought back to boat. Upon checking the oil, found that it was very well mixed with water.
Pulled the engine and tore it down. Blown head gaskets, no crosshatch boring marks on the inside of the cylinders, compression burns at top of cylinders, burnt /​scored bearings and crank, old pistons, compressed rings, old lifters, no stainless steel valves, no hardened seals, no sings of resurfacing the heads (unknown), crank not turned, and silicone used as seals.
Took my mechanic and the blown head gaskets back to Quality Auto Machine to discuss the total failure of the engine after a total of 11 hours of operation. When presented with the head gaskets and asked to explain, I was told without hesitation «It’s obvious it overheated». I was told that I must of forgotten to put coolant in the radiator. Let’s see… boat in water, raw water cooled (cooled by ocean water), new pump impellers (kind of like having the worlds largest radiator). Don’t think it over heated. When tearing the engine down found a heat sensing indicator on one of the new freeze plugs they had Installed and found that the according to their strip, it had in fact NOT overheated.
I informed them that based on our findings and their response, I was requesting a full refund. I was told that since the engine had overheated that the warranty (6 months) was null and void.
Unfortunately, I am without the use of one of my larger investments in my most valuable time, the money to remove the engine and reinstall (twice) as well as the cost of a new engine while I run the legal channels With Quality Auto Machine, Inc.
Please, do yourselves a favor and choose another service provider. This is not to say that they are not capable of producing a quality, but I sure didn’t see it. I’m out thousands of dollars regardless of how it turns out, plus the loss of my boat.