Rick's Machine Shop 11448 Woodside Avenue, Santee, CA 92071

"This is one of the oldest and most trustworthy machine shops in San Diego. We've been going there for close to twenty years. I trust these guys completely."

"Told old Rick that I had 3 new injectors in the motor that were 350 a piece and be good to all of them got it back due to a 9000$ cost to pit back together. Had the heads done at 900 a piece and injectors had been sitting in a bucket of water for 3 months or better. Felt like a personal kick to the throat."

"Great guys who got my part done same-day"

"I really wanted to like this place. Rick is a nice guy, his dog is cool, and I had already had a poor experience at another shop. Unfortunately, I don't think Rick is very involved in the business anymore, and the crew running things now are... questionable. I had an experience very similar to the guy with the 350 SBC. I brought in my junkyard 6.0L LQ9 and told them I wanted them to go through it, inspect it, let me know what it needs, and replace some parts that I provided (cam, springs, oil pump, timing chain, etc.). Many weeks go by, and finally I get a text message that the motor is almost ready to be picked up. Not only did they never communicate with me, give me options, dimensions, or evidence, they punched it out 0.20 over! This was a running, driving engine with under 130k miles on it when pulled. It gets better. Remember when I said it was an LQ9? That is the "High performance" high compression version of GM's 6.0L LS family. The ONLY difference between the LQ9 and the LQ4 (generic truck/van engine) is that the LQ9 has flat-topped pistons, and the LQ4 has dished pistons. Guess what they installed in my newly rebuilt motor? That's right. On top of boring out the motor for no provable reason, they gave me a performance downgrade. I could have handled being told/shown that my block had damage, and then giving me options, but having decisions made for me - poorly - perhaps so they could pump up machining man-hours and parts mark-up ensures that I will never go there again. All of my questions and attempts at communication after I used a boroscope to check my engine were avoided, delayed, or ignored. They might still do great machine work. It may be a perfect shop for having a head job done on a Camry, but if you have a project you care about, be careful with them."

"If you are looking for a shop that is loaded with integrity and experience this is it. Rick the owner has been in business for over 50 years and his right hand man George has been there over 40 years. I brought in my 1956 Willys Wagon to get a Chevy 350 put in it. What I came home with was way more than I ever could've dreamed of, and at a great price. There really is not much they can't do. Far as I am concerned this is the best machine shop in the county!!"