How would you go about finding a good machine shop for block work? I'd love to find one that knows all about the work required for a 440 block to really sing, but I have no idea how to sort the really good shops from the ones that just say that they're really good.

word of mouth is the best way. Hopefully someone on here is in the Denver area and can recommend someone who is a perfectonist. If not a local car club or even a parts store employee might be helpful/have a good person/shop to recommend.

I guess that's pretty much what I'm hoping for...someone who actually knows a good shop in the area for doing Mopar work.

Ridge Reamers in Arvada, Joe and Peter Lupfer have been racing mopar for over 25 years

I know several people who have had good luck with Ridge Reamers. Also Western Engine Supply has a decent reputation but I am not sure about their experience with Mopar.
I have checked out Havana Auto Parts. Prices are pretty high but they seem to be well equipped.
Let us know how you do.
Craig

Thank you both very much for the recommendation.

If you don't find what you want in Denver let me know. We have a great shop in the Springs I use a lot. Geddes Machine. Full service with an engine dyno.

I have only used three machine shops in the Denver area:
The Block Shop, They are on 2373 South Plate, near SanteFe and Evens.
MadCap racing engines, 7895 W14th, Lakewood
American Automotive Machine, Don Hackenberg, 8672 Emmerson Ct, Denver.

I have not used Ridge Reamers?

All those listed above have torque plates for Mopars. MadCap has the lifter bore fixturing, if you need the lifter bores corrected and bushings installed. They are usually really busy with race engines, so it may take several weeks to get your engine machined there.
The Block shop does nice work and they usually will have a block machined in about a week or less. They can align hone the mains, but they do not align bore / fit aftermarket main bearing caps.
Don Hackenberg at AAM specializes in Mopar engines. He has built alot of Mopar race engines.
He runs a small shop, so he may be busy?
Don got me a good price on fitting my BCR aluminum main caps and girdle.

I've used 2 machine shops in the Denver area. Havana machine on a 383 mild engine and Ridge Reamers on my current 471. Both were good for me. However, if you re going for a larger hp engine, I'd go with Ridge Reamers. Pete's been working on Mopars for a long time. He had a Mirada w/383 into the 10's at altitude. So he has the first had knowledge on what's needed. Downside is that you have to preplan your build as he is very busy. Call now for a build start time. I can tell you it will be worth it.

I have been using Western Engine for many years on my Mopars, both big and small blocks. They come Highly recommended. Talk to Terry over there, he is good with Mopars.

Another for Ridge Reamer. The did all the work for my 340 and have done several other projects. They are not the cheapest guys in town but when you get it back it will be done right. They did some work on a couple Onan 2 cylinder motors for me and it came out great!

Gunn Automotive isn't bad for a cheaper alternative either. They did the work for my dad's 350 and it was nice work at a great price. They have been around for 20+ years as well.

another vote for pete lupfer at ridge reamer. pete's done half a dozen blocks for me, lots of heads, and lots of misc. stuff. I always check his work but always find that I never need to.

as mentioned he is not the cheapest. however, working with someone that I don't have to explain the idiosyncracies of mopar to is well worth it.

steve at "engine rebuilders" in northglenn is also an option. does not have every tool in the world but very affordable and very mopar-centric. Old school race knowledge.

good luck. wakeman

I know this is an older post, but I had to start the task of finding a machine shop here in Denver and of several I called, only Ridge Reamer knew right off what I meant when I said X block...most shops ask why does this 318 has a X on it.

Second, the fist two shops I mentioned tq plates...nope...Asked RR and it was of course.

Walked in the door and seen a wall full of mostly mopars from the past, about 40 cranks ready to go out the door and a set of hemi heads and some other hi po stuff.

I questioned my math on deck height and they simply said bring the crank,rod,ect...took them 5 minutes and it was decided. We both got the same numbers.

Priced right, very helpful, very comfortable feeling overall from the start...I dont think I will be sending my blocks to atlanta anymore.

Talked about some different things...Im sold.

From above...

Downside is that you have to preplan your build as he is very busy. Call now for a build start time.

I did, more or less made an appointment, 4 days for a simple .080 bore/hone, may of been 3 if I hadnt had to go bck witht he crank, ect...

Currently it seems they are about two weeks out and they are not complaining about that......

Anyone see the muastang shop ringt near him....I seen some nice cars...esp a black and red mach 1 possibly.

for you colorado guys greeley automotive machine is another excellent builder---they build race motors with a guarantee---one of my friends had them build 3 including a 400 stroker and a nascar motor(dodge) my friend--larry chrisman owns a torque converter shop and is now building a moderately priced mopar (and ford) race converter---he said there is a big hole in the market for dodge and ford guys that cant afford a $1000 converter---larry bought one of those (1000$) and ran it for a season behind his 400 stroker--he cut it open to inspect and found the inside full of machined down nissan parts----check out his website at chrisman performance he has shipped to all continents (no penguins) and has drivers running from laramie/cheyenne to colo springs----bob

Personal experience with Ridge Reamer: I took a ford 400 flywheel in for resurfacing and got it back in the same day, for $30! Surface finish is nice, wheel is also clean. I'm having him do more work. I'd say the price is rock-bottom for what you get.

The Block Shop is really good with stock to low-10-second engines. Priced right, too.

If you have a need for real racing engine machining, Madcap is the place to go. Of the three they are much more expensive, but if it is a sub-10-second engine, you are using expensive parts and want the best machining. They also sell me Holley jets at $4 a pair, and that makes them special to me.

R.

PS: Now which machine shops in Arizona have you dealt with? I'm talking Phoenix and north to the border.

greeley automotive machine is another excellent builder

Yes they are a great shop as well, with all the good dynos as well...its just a really long drive for me there, but its good to have a small handfudful of great shops around here, as I posted before Ive been sending blocks to atlanta and when in ga would drive a 250 mile round trip to get to one good shop.

RR to me wasnt too far out of the norm, $250 for a .080 overbore with TQ plates.

I know geographics play a big part in things but it seems the good shops around here are doing well even in this econ and thats great.

Parr Machine & Engine in Hot Sulphur Springs, CO. The shop's owner name is Brad Parr, he knows Mopars well. He is a very good engine machinist and builder. He has around 30 years experience. His phone is 970-725-0045, and address is 327 E Grand Ave. Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451. Tell him Myron from Lincoln NE recommended him.