Bay area: good mechanic for engine work?

[shinyknight]

Hi all

I am looking for a good mechanic in the south bay; someone that is good and knows well CIS and old air cooled 911 (since mine is a 1980 Targa), but that is also affordable and honest.

The car is almost all original; got a transmission rebuild, plus various fixes here and there, like the Carrera CT and various other minor works. I am probably looking at the engine seal replacement, and if needed, a top rebuild (not the whole engine rebuild, at least this is what I was suggested, the car has less than 200K, and the pressure seems good overall).

Probably gotta replace all little by little (suspension shocks, cv boots and such), but what concerns me the most is the engine...I was told to use a car and don't fix it until it breaks, but if I break a 911 engine is a 10K job to replace it, so I am not sure that this apply to the 911

I've heard of Tom Amon, which has good reviews overall (and knows the car, since he was a pilot if I recall correctly), and also about Rennshop, kept by a guy called Mervin I think, which used to work at Partsheaven as mechanic; he also has good reviews on yelp.
Last on the list was a mechanic from Campbell....sadly I have lost the business card, so can't even remember his name.

Altho I am not sure how affordable are they....heard of stuff like 100 bucks per hour.
Sadly living in the bay, means to overpay anything and anyone; and I wish that I had the 6 figure salary So need a good mechanic that is also good on the wallet.

Any suggestion that you may give would be really appreciated; sadly I lack a lot of the manual skills needed to do a lot of stuff...I don't do more than oil change and small repairs, so the do yourself is quite a problem for me (altho I wish I could learn...)

Thanks!

[cali4sun]

Sadly I don't believe you will get much of a break on labor $$ especially in the Bay area. I was happy with the product that Tom Amon sold the nose bearing seal sleeve, which my mechanic put in. I've heard good things about him!

I don't know if you have checked his website

PORSCHE REPAIR SERIVCES - TOM AMON - Welcome to Mobile Works West!

However, I'd give him a call and talk with him about your car.

Best of luck!

[shinyknight]

Agree premium location requires premium prices....we all have bills to pay I guess.

Do you use Tom for your car? Heard that he is very good. How is the price range?

[jass]

I had Tom work on my engine and he does a great job

[larrym]

Kevin Redman - Gilroy - Redman's Automotive - long time experienced Porsche engine builder

[jsveb]

A highly competent vendor and friendly pelican recommended this guy. Haven't been there myself - yet.

RMG ENTERPRISES -- Bob Grigsby
960 W EL CAMINO REAL
SUNNYVALE, CA 94087

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by jsveb

a highly competent vendor and friendly pelican recommended this guy. Haven't been there myself - yet.

Rmg enterprises -- bob grigsby
960 w el camino real
sunnyvale, ca 94087

++++1!!

[jtsilverfox]

Don Wise at Don's Autowerks, 1320 E Dell Ave, Campbell, 408-871- 9108 is maybe who you were thinking of in Campbell. He was real friendly, helpful, and willing to discuss several of my issues on my DIY rebuild (69 911E).

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by jsveb

A highly competent vendor and friendly pelican recommended this guy.

RMG ENTERPRISES -- Bob Grigsby
960 W EL CAMINO REAL
SUNNYVALE, CA 94087

yes, +1