Calling People in VIC who assemble their own RB engines.

[Seffdaddy]

Looking to hear from the guys who are assembling their own RBs in Melbourne. 

Does anyone have a machinist they know and trust who could provide some level of advice and complete the machine work, then send me off to assemble it myself?

I should state:
- I understand that engine builders make their money by building engines themselves. Not expecting anything for free, in fact I'm keen to pay them.
- Given I will be assembling the engine, I accept all responsibility if in the event it was to fail (would happily put this in writing).

The idea behind this is to get good at building my own engines, enjoy the process and become self-sufficient. I have built an RB25 myself almost 10 years ago and I was a mechanic for several years, however I recognise I'm not an engine builder.
 

I've dropped off and picked this block up from two workshops already where they promise to do the work, nothing happens for 3 months and I get over it. I just want out of this cycle and to drive/enjoy my car.

any help much appreciated 🙏🏼

[Shoota_77]

It was many years ago I got my engine machining done but I had a very good experience with Headspec in Clayton.  Frank was the guy running the show back then and I think it was Michael who was working for him (may be in charge now??).  They were great to deal with and everything was done as per my requests and expectations.

Nothing wrong with wanting to do it yourself and as you say, it's all on you if it turns to shit!

Good luck!!

[Kinkstaah]

Frank and Michael are still around, and are still great. However, like most people who are still around and still great, they're very busy. So you may have a 3 month wait purely because of the backlog of things they already have on the go.

I always say a blown up RB is a 1 year process :D. But to be fair, my experience with Headspec was quite a lot of waiting until they got to my job, then when they did - it was completed in a couple of weeks. So I suppose there's plenty of work for competent engine builders out there.

[Seffdaddy]

I have met Frank and Michael from Headspec. They are both lovely guys, gave me plenty of time and were always happy to chat and answer questions when I saw them in person. They have done some fab work for me previously. Unfortunately, they were the second workshop I left the block with. Potentially they're just too busy. One of the engines he was working on was being built over a 12 month period (also an RB). The block sat there for three months just to have them assess the block and quote a build (never happened). I actually felt quite comfortable with them and thought they would do a great job. I'm just not in a position to wait 12 months or someone to build this engine :(

[Shoota_77]

1 hour ago, Seffdaddy said:

I have met Frank and Michael from Headspec. They are both lovely guys, gave me plenty of time and were always happy to chat and answer questions when I saw them in person. They have done some fab work for me previously. Unfortunately, they were the second workshop I left the block with. Potentially they're just too busy. One of the engines he was working on was being built over a 12 month period (also an RB). The block sat there for three months just to have them assess the block and quote a build (never happened). I actually felt quite comfortable with them and thought they would do a great job. I'm just not in a position to wait 12 months or someone to build this engine

Righto, bummer!  That makes it tough.  One thing Covid has taught us all, you want something bad enough, you gotta wait!

Could be worth taking it out of town?  Somewhere regional like Bendigo or Ballarat as they MAY be slightly less backlogged?  No one here in Shepp I would necessarily recommend unfortunately....

I hope you get it sorted out.  

[Komdotkom]

Saliba Engine Services.

Expensive but you get what you pay for.

[funkymonkey]

I reckon if you were to find a retired engine machinist who can mentor you, you’d be able to fill in the gaps with your own skills.

maybe have some conversations with the guys who are running the shops now about who they did their apprenticeships with?