Nailhead Rebuilder - Automotive Machine Performance, Philpot KY

[easyellis]

Found a shop relatively closer to my location, 3 hours away that is familiar with nailheads and rebuilds one or two a year. The shop specializes in big buicks such as the 455 and its different stages. Has anyone heard of this shop or used them?

Thanks in Advance,

[telriv]

You will be in good hands!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!

[easyellis]

You will be in good hands!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!

Thanks Tom, this is really good to hear. I've talked to one of the owners on the phone and he is very knowledgeable and will build the motor like I want it. He's not pushy, but he definitely has suggestions that makes a lot of sense. I've been reading the oscillating views regarding the placement of hardened valve seats in the 401; he recommends it and advises that this is the best way to go if it's going to be a driver. However, he told me that this is an area where I could save a few dollars if I was not going to listen to his recommendation. Also, what's very important to me considering the cost of the rebuild is cam break in leak test and run time on the dyno. A couple of builders stated that the dyno is not needed on a stock rebuild, but I will get a warm fuzzy by having this done. The shop stated that "if it's going to break it will do so on the dyno". Thanks again for the thumbs up!

[telriv]

I & others do NOT recommend hardened seats. When the cam is made have it nitrided. This hardens the cam & is less likely to go flat during break-in. Sure, it costs extra, but how much extra has to be spent to completely pull the engine all apart again to remove all the cam material because the cam went flat???? Just a good idea & a little extra insurance IMHO.

[bob k. mando]

Has anyone heard of this shop or used them?



AM&P are ( or at least were ) regular competitors at the Engine Masters Challenge which is promoted by Popular Hot Rodding magazine. the difference with AM&P is that they don't build dyno queen specials to compete with, they get permission and take a customer engine.

you can find EMC stories in the Popular Hot Rodding magazine proper and they also normally issue a special stand alone issue for the competition itself and the results. they typically get a lot of engines that puke their guts all over the dyno room. i've never seen a story on an AM&P engine doing that.

[Ted Nagel]

Highly recommended = Mike has had 3 of my Nailhead engines on his dyno there.
There is nothing like breaking in your engine on the dyno.
Ted Nagel

[easyellis]

Thanks Bob K and Ted, the information that you posted is what I need to hear. It's not an easy process determining which way to go on a rebuild and choosing a shop to complete the work. I appreciate you guys and others who have chimed in on this subject. I read some of their dyno info on the site, it was all prefaced with "a borrowed engine".

Ed

[bob k. mando]

yeah, i stupidly went to the EMC web site looking for stories. the EMC site is crap and has almost no historical info on it. i should have just looked at AM&P's site in the first place:
http://automachperf.com/PHRMEMC.html


they've competed 8 times, not always with a Buick and not in 2012.

[Ted Nagel]

From PHR:

Automotive Machine and Performance came with a Buick to do battle in the Xtreme Division. Mike Philips and his team had prepared an incredible
production style Buick, competing against exotic race only engine configurations. Though this GM powerplant might seem out of place in a category
requiring over 8000 rpm for repeated dyno pulls, the beautifully detailed engine ran through the required qualifying pull without any sign of strain.
Peak power produced during the qualifying session was an impressive 802 horsepower, while torque was also well represented, turning a
maximum of 661 lb-ft. The engine finished qualifying with a score of 2779.4

Read more: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/1210phr_2012_amsoil_engine_masters_challenge_tuesd ay_results/viewall.html#ixzz2EZyEsJ4s

[Mike Phillips]

Guys,
Thanks for the kind words. I don't profess to be a Nailhead expert but I apply the same techniques that I use on the 455.
Most is common sense, precise machine work and a clean and competent assembly.