I have a couple of broken exhaust studs and I am looking for a reputable machine shop in Houston. Preferably south Houston but anywhere in the area would be fine.

Anyone had a good experience with a machine shop locally?

Motor-Head in Stafford is an old-school machine shop. They've done the work on a couple of L28s for me... valve jobs, head straightening, block decking/honing/boring, etc. Talk to Frank. He's forgotten more about engines than I'll ever know...

Any machine shop, with the courage to hang out a shingle, ought to be able to extract broken studs and clean up threads.......

Any machine shop, with the courage to hang out a shingle, ought to be able to extract broken studs and clean up threads.......

That's what I thought but every one of them I called said that they would not touch it.

I'll give Motor-Head a try. Thanks Imcguffin.

Steve, if you strike-out with Motor-Head, give Awesome Z a call.

Good luck... Behind Motor-Head on the eastbound side of South Main is Stafford Auto Supply, which is an old-school auto parts store. You can walk in there and pick up your replacement metric hardened exhaust studs from the bolt drawers. Try doing that at AutoZone... They also make custom A/C system hoses should that need arise.

I agree with what Bruce said, however it seems that finding a shop capable of actual machine shop work in this era of disposible engine components is getting difficult. I keep asking Frank "who's gonna replace you when you retire?" His vague answer means no one... and so goes the tragedy of our loss of respect for skilled trades.

Try Benson's on Hwy 3 in Webster. They are real honest guys...but I doubt they will touch it either.

If you take the head off the car then you'll have better luck finding a shop to remove the studs.