Bay Area Mechanic?
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Bay Area CA
Bay Area Mechanic?
Hey guys... I just picked up a '71 454 LS5 a few weeks ago. Bought it in Arkansas and drove it back to the Bay Area, CA in a day and a half. Well, driving through New Mexico with the outside air temp at 36 degrees, it was quite apparent the heater didn't work in this thing. Anyway, I have been informed by the other half that it WILL be fixed! "Yes dear...." ;) Anyway, looking at it, I see that the core has been bypassed. How much work is it to change the core?
More importantly, do any SF Bay Area guys know a trustworthy mechanic I can take it to if I don't have time to fix it? There's a guy in town, but he charges $80 an hour. I'm hoping there's a backyard guy with the passion that does some sideline work.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
More importantly, do any SF Bay Area guys know a trustworthy mechanic I can take it to if I don't have time to fix it? There's a guy in town, but he charges $80 an hour. I'm hoping there's a backyard guy with the passion that does some sideline work.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (Black Magic)
tsw71 and I did his heater core earlier this year. Wasn't too bad. Just make sure you get a delco core. As long as you don't have A/C, it's pretty straightforward. ...of course, I wasn't the one in the engine compartment cussing and swearing, I just held the heater box in place. :)
-Steve
-Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
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From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (Black Magic)
$80 an hour is not an unreasonable rate in CA for competent work. I have no doubt that you could find something much cheaper but you could spend more fixing "Bubba's" work than you payed him to fix the original problem. You didn't state where in the SF bay area you are located but it sounds like your time is valuable so I'd think that a shop closer to you would be more desirable than one farther away. Being as I do most all of my own work on my Vette, I can't offer a recommendation of a shop but I'm sure that you'll get other responses that can. Again, tell us where you are located so that we can recommend shops that are within a reasonable distance form you.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (Black Magic)
Race Street Rally is supposed to be good. They're on Lafeyette... not sure if it's in Santa Clara or San Jose.
I'm trying NOT to farm work out on the 'vette. I know a shop that does competent work, but definitely not great... would not reccommend them as "vette specialists".
-Steve
I'm trying NOT to farm work out on the 'vette. I know a shop that does competent work, but definitely not great... would not reccommend them as "vette specialists".
-Steve
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 345
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From: sanjose ca
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (Black Magic)
There are two specialist corvette places in bay area that I know ,but I never used them so it up to you.
Carol corvette in Santa Clara
Corvette senter in Sanjose.
I hope this is help.
Carol corvette in Santa Clara
Corvette senter in Sanjose.
I hope this is help.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (myisa69)
Precision Motive specializing in Corvettes. He has done work for me for the last 20 years. 25417 Mission Blvd., Hayward. 510-886-0789 ask for Pat. Tell him Steve Grodin sent you. :thumbs:
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Parker TX
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (Pacin'California)
The Crew at Race Street Rally did the pre buy inspection on my vette. Ended up buying it from the third party guy in Oakland and drove it back to Texas. I was more than satisfied with their vette knowledge and the amount of time they spent with me to make sure I was satisfied. Had them take care of some things on her before I left California. If I lived in the Bay area they would continue to receive my business on the items either I couldn't do, to lazy to do, or didn't have the time to do. I have their info. Shoot me a mail or IM and I will pass it on. Race Street is located in Santa Clara just a mile or two around the corner from the San Jose airport.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 64
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From: Bay Area CA
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (riorata)
Thank you very much for all your help guys. I'll be calling around to all the shops you guys mentioned.
Normally this is work I don't mind taking on myself. However, I have to have a major change in attitude towards cars for me to continue. I bought a 2000 Camaro SS so I could have a nice cruiser. A few mods here and there I thought. Wrong, once bitten twice shy. Now I have a ten second Camaro.
The theory is to keep my hands off of it for as long as possible. That way I hopefully won't have a nine or ten second Corvette. I know I don't have the maturity yet for that, and I'm in my thirties. :reddevil
Anyway, thanks again guys!! Hopefully I'll see some of you local guys around soon!
Normally this is work I don't mind taking on myself. However, I have to have a major change in attitude towards cars for me to continue. I bought a 2000 Camaro SS so I could have a nice cruiser. A few mods here and there I thought. Wrong, once bitten twice shy. Now I have a ten second Camaro.
The theory is to keep my hands off of it for as long as possible. That way I hopefully won't have a nine or ten second Corvette. I know I don't have the maturity yet for that, and I'm in my thirties. :reddevil
Anyway, thanks again guys!! Hopefully I'll see some of you local guys around soon!
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Parker TX
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (Black Magic)
And what , may I ask, is wrong with a 10 second Vette???? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!
I'm 40 something. What is maturity???? There is still a 10 year old in me!!!
:cheers:
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!
I'm 40 something. What is maturity???? There is still a 10 year old in me!!!
:cheers:
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 64
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From: Bay Area CA
Re: Bay Area Mechanic? (riorata)
Ummm, I guess I'm stupid too. I smoked a Viper once doing 140 through traffic. Not too smart. 130 MPH onramps aren't bad, until you have to slam on the brakes to merge with traffic!! :nono:
I'm not going to say I'm innocent though... ;) I have had the car less than a month and I already have new cam, intake, and carb sitting on the workbench. No ten second Vette here, but how about a mid 11? How can I ever go back to a thirteen second daily driver now? I'm tainted! :cry
I'm not going to say I'm innocent though... ;) I have had the car less than a month and I already have new cam, intake, and carb sitting on the workbench. No ten second Vette here, but how about a mid 11? How can I ever go back to a thirteen second daily driver now? I'm tainted! :cry
