Post reliable mechanics you've dealt with

[jpau00]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

Autotech on Main Street in Dayton, OH
The guys name is Jim. His dad and brother own repair shops. He is a self-proclaimed Ford man.

I took my 87 camper van to him. It took a while before he could get to it, but when he did he lovingly took my entire engine apart and basically rebuilt it for about 1/4 of what it would cost in CA.

He's just a one-man operation but he knows his knows his Fords.

 

[Viva-SMB]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

John Wood Automotive in Holtville, CA (bit west of Yuma, AZ). He specializes in transmissions. I had him repair and "toughen" my 4R100 and was very pleased with the work and with the improvements he has designed/implemented. He also does work on transmissions that are shipped in/out if you can't go there (I went there though).

 

[Ocsmb]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

^ ditto. Built and sent me a Trans in a weeks time. Doesn't up sell you. In fact he'll ask you questions and tell you which build is right and which is overkill.

 

[taylorvon]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

Gas mechanic in Portland?

 

[Viva-SMB]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

^ ditto. Built and sent me a Trans in a weeks time. Doesn't up sell you. In fact he'll ask you questions and tell you which build is right and which is overkill.

That was my experience too. In fact, when I first called, I wondered if my "RV" transmission would be too boring for him (since he does big/cool racing stuff). But no, he said he enjoys working on rigs like mine, and matching the product to the need. I didn't really have any complaints about the performance of my transmission, and didn't want to change the shifting or etc. -- but it was making a weird noise (the reason for my visit) and I had read many accounts of people needing to rebuild them prior to 100k -- and I wanted to feel mine was more sturdy/bulletproof, especially for towing. He listened and made recommendations (but not in a selling way but because I wanted to know my options). I'm really happy now and no longer worry about the transmission as it is much improved (and the noise is gone - was a dislodged snap ring of which he puts in a better/locking design).

 

[daveb-SMB]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

Gas mechanic in Portland?

I'd be PMing Carringb an would hope he could help me out.

 

[JoeH-SMB]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

I might as well add this to this thread rather than starting a new one but looking for a diesel mechanic in either Portland, OR, Hood River, or Boise, ID.

I've got some kind of injector issue going on. I've now replaced all of them now in the last 5,000 miles. FICM is showing 48.5V. No codes or check engine light. Just smoke, especially on startup. Engine runs fine.

 

[dante-SMB]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

I just had my EGR cooler and Oil cooler replaced by South Bay Auto Care, in Lawndale. Hubert did an awesome job! I'm dropping the Ford a Dealer and using Hubert for all service.

Good luck.

 

[Ketcham]

Re: Looking for a Good Mechanic

Really late to this thread.

I had great experience with Rob's fleet service northwest, Hubbard Oregon. Have two thee mechanics in town I trust too. But he has done some major work recently.

 

[86Scotty]

I recently lost a fuel pump in Monument Valley. I was towed to Page and Liberty Auto Service helped me out and did an awesome job. If you're ever in the area of Page, Zion NP, Grand Canyon NP, or Monument Valley I would try for Liberty Auto. I also had a very good experience with Transport towing there, who tow for AAA.

Page is a small, but great little town. Small airport, Avis car rental, a few good mechanics and an O'reilley and Napa. That's actually a lot for small town Arizona.

Look up Paul at Liberty Auto and they will help you out. They are set up to work on bigger trucks like ours. I was told they had a 16k lift IIRC.

:b5:

 

[MadScience]

If someone on a budget needs a place on the SF peninsula, pm me. I'm willing to recommend a place with specific reservations that I'd prefer not to post publicly. (They are good, honest people, they are slightly cheaper than I'd sometimes prefer, but do require the customer to be on top of certain things.)

 

[daveb-SMB]

For the most part I hate to suggest any mechanic because every shop can foul up at one time or another. But these places are much better than many dealerships IMO.


Recommended by Advanced Adapters, this shop does custom 4x4 work. Drive train experts, Georg is quite known in the Rubicon trail 4x4 community. Their main work is with restoring older FJ's but it's nice to know an owner that actually wanted to work on my SMB just because he was impressed with it. Seeing some of the restored FJ's was a treat.
Valley Hybrids
2953 E Cherryland
Stockton Ca 95215
650 576-2023

G Street auto does most of my standard work & is a place I trust.
G Street Auto Care
2996 G St Merced, CA 95340
(209) 384-7778
http://gstreetautocare.com/

This little hole in the wall has been known for excellent work dealing with differentials of all types.
The Rear End Shop
2372 Patterson Rd, Riverbank, CA 95367
(209) 869-1234
http://www.therearendshop.com/

Justin at J's performance does bullet proofing on diesels and does specialty work on Sportsmobiles. I haven't used him yet but have been to his shop and seen their operation. Located across from the Fresno airport they are well located as a spot to drop off a vehicle that might need extended time for a major repair. Fly home and fly back when it's done.
J's Performance Automotive
Auto Parts Store
Address: 2377 N Larkin Ave #102, Fresno, CA 93727
Phone559) 264-6565

Brown's Diesel has done work on my 6.0 PSD. Seems like a good shop and treated me fair. This place is a larger shop that deals with tons of farmers and their trucks. Very busy place. Located between I-5 and 99 west of Fresno in the middle of nowhere, I'd ask if there is even a rental car agency willing to pick you up if need be.
Brown's Diesel
3832 W Mt Whitney Ave, Riverdale, CA 93656
(559) 867-1111
https://brownsdiesel.com/

Zylstra's rebuilt my 6.0 PSD and bullet proofed the engine. They also have done a lot of work on SMB's. It's a larger shop that works on emergency vehicles in the area. There was even a fire truck there when they did my rebuild. It's always a busy place.
Zylstra Automotive
2230 E Main St, Visalia, CA 93292
(559) 625-8239
http://zylstraauto.com/

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

I've had excellent diesel service at the following places:

- Frontier Ford in Santa Clara CA. Great service from a dealer!

- Different Strokes of Alaska in Anchorage. Highly recommended.

- Rapid Diesel in Rapid City SD. Not the only game in town, just the best.

If you need a suggestion in a new area, ask a tow truck driver, they know who is the best. In Nova Scotia there where two dealers 3 blocks apart, one to be avoided and one with great service and the tow truck driver knew which was which; later verified by several townspeople.

Mike

 

[Ketcham]

I was in Fleet Service Northwest, Hubbard Oregon. Robert Gaskell garage is always is full doing 6.0 rebuilds. 2 to 3 per week with trucks from Olympia Washington and British Columbia, Canada. These trucks are being shipped in from a 500 mile radius--All by word of mouth and with reason. I have done a complete overhaul and even modified my fuel tank, fender vents. Van has never run better.

This prices were very favorable and I am willing to bet now he is familiar Econoline issues, his complete overhaul would be 25% savings in labor. My van had almost every major issue imagined on this forum. I regret not knowing about him years ago and completing it in one job.

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Ultimate Truck Performance
19 N Aviador St
Camarillo, CA

Specialize in diesels, but work on gassers too. Well versed in 6.0s.


Herb

 

[hogasm]

Outer Banks NC

Full Compression Diesel
252-256-7040

Keeps all my diesel motors going at very fair prices.

 

[Badback12]

I'm looking for a shop or a Ford tech that understands E-series van suspension in NW Houston. I usually do all the work myself but due to a back injury I'm forced to pay someone.
2013 E150 XLT Premium 7 passenger 5.4 RSC Advance Trac
14k. Never been wrecked
Work Needing Done.....
Suspension improvement! It rides rough. I realize this is a truck, however it needs something changed! I've been in contact with Jeremy at WeldTec and John at Agile. Both guy's have been great to work with. They understand what I'm looking for out of my van. Unfortunately they're in California. I'm in Texas and it's a truck state. I haven't found anyone who specializes in vans. I've been turned away from several shops and others won't call me back.

 

[malcolmkegel]

Hi!

I would be interested in hearing about your experience with the diesel mechanic. Can you please let me know who you use and what your reservations about them are?

Thanks,

Malcolm

 

[malcolmkegel]

Hi DaveB,

Any recommendations for good people in the SF Bay area?

Thanks in advance for your reply,

Malcolm

 

[Jack K-SMB]

Recommendations in central Orange County, CA?

Thanks!

Jack