Thread: North Alabama Machine Shop Recs?

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Call a local NAPA store, they are usually up on who can do that kind of work. Also look around for a hot rod or racing shop. I know you have a bunch of dirt trackers in that area. One of those guys should be able to help you out.

Not sure about for a boat motor but Gordon Byrd on Moadus Road in Decatur has a shop at his house and is one of the best around for automotive work.

I actually just found a local shop this morning who can and will do it, W&W Machine in Holly Pond. Initially I was told by an employee they didn't do smaller motors like outboards but when I asked if they had any recommendations on where to take it he directed me to the owner who said that he actually would do it, they just don't generally do them. I can understand that as it is tougher being a blind hole and having intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder walls to worry about. I'm glad to have found a place though. My only other lead so far was Midway Machine Shop in Athens. A guy at TV Marine pointed me towards them although I never got around to calling them as they were my back up plan. W&W Machine is just 5 minutes from my house which is very convenient.

I'm surprised there aren't shops that advertise that they work on outboards being this is such a popular boating region. Maybe it's some type of agreement between them and the boat mechanics to help them get as many rebuilds as possible and discouraging the home mechanic?

Anyways, just gotta order about $500 worth of parts now and hopefully I can remember how to put this thing back together! LOL

Thanks for the replies though. Maybe someone will find this thread in the future if they are doing the same as me and it will help them out.

Originally Posted by scout-j-m

I actually just found a local shop this morning who can and will do it, W&W Machine in Holly Pond. Initially I was told by an employee they didn't do smaller motors like outboards but when I asked if they had any recommendations on where to take it he directed me to the owner who said that he actually would do it, they just don't generally do them. I can understand that as it is tougher being a blind hole and having intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder walls to worry about. I'm glad to have found a place though. My only other lead so far was Midway Machine Shop in Athens. A guy at TV Marine pointed me towards them although I never got around to calling them as they were my back up plan. W&W Machine is just 5 minutes from my house which is very convenient.

I'm surprised there aren't shops that advertise that they work on outboards being this is such a popular boating region. Maybe it's some type of agreement between them and the boat mechanics to help them get as many rebuilds as possible and discouraging the home mechanic?

Anyways, just gotta order about $500 worth of parts now and hopefully I can remember how to put this thing back together! LOL

This is just me and I get a little paranoid on things like this. I would not order parts untill I had a block back and I checked the bore for sizing and true and make real sure the ports are not messed up. Have seen some where the cutting tool can damage ports if the guy running machine is not used to cutting them.

Originally Posted by cray

This is just me and I get a little paranoid on things like this. I would not order parts untill I had a block back and I checked the bore for sizing and true and make real sure the ports are not messed up. Have seen some where the cutting tool can damage ports if the guy running machine is not used to cutting them.

I'm not experienced enough nor have the tools to be able to check if after the fact so I have to take his word on it anyways. I'm not sure of his level of experience with 2 strokes but he did say they don't typically do them just because they are harder and more time consuming to do for the reasoning you mentioned and they stay busy with automotive work. The guy builds custom race engines though and is a great machinist by all accounts so I trust him. He also does do some occasional work on 2 stroke outboards for a local guy who runs a boat repair business on the side so I know he does have experience boring them.

I don't know why I did not think of this before ( old timers kicking in I guess) usually a good place to start is motorcycle shops that do a lot of business with dirt bikes. They are always having to rebuild those 2 stroke motors. Might give them a call if you have not already committed to the other guy.