Spokane Auto Repair

Brian was great to work with and helpful getting my engine machining completed. Will be using them again for the next project.

Mediocre work, poor process, complete indifference from ownership I brought American Engine and Marine a 4.0L OHV V6 short block for preparation including boring, honing, and crank work. The core machining work appears competent, but nearly everything surrounding it was not. This was my second project with them, previously bringing in a 22RE block, crank, and head. Quality issues were numerous and repeated. Paint was applied inside the oil filter boss, which I find unacceptable on any engine build. This was not an isolated incident either. I experienced the same paint-in-the-oil-boss issue on a previous 22RE build where they prepared the block and reworked the head. A pattern across two separate engines on two separate visits is not a mistake. It’s a standard. In the 4.0, the cam bearings were installed in the wrong orientation. The wrong pistons were ordered and installed: 1.0mm over on a block bored for 0.5mm over. They bored the block, they should have known. When I raised this, the explanation was that they had two 4.0L engines in the shop simultaneously. That excuse is more concerning than the mistake itself,  it suggests they are working from memory rather than documentation, which has no place in precision machining. What compounded every error was the complete disregard for my time. Each mistake required me to make additional trips at my own expense. They will call and tell you to bring in this part, then that part a day or so later. They will tell you that a part will be ready by “end of day” then end the day without getting it done, or even calling with a new estimate. The piston situation is a perfect example. Rather than calling me in the morning to bring the block when the issue was identified, or asking for it when I originally dropped off the rods and incorrect pistons, they called me at noon, had me drive in, then made me wait an additional hour because staff was at lunch. There was no reason I couldn’t have been called earlier. They agreed to swap there right pistons on, then didn’t do it. Because they didn’t do that, I had to wait while they did, but only after lunch. No respect for the customer’s time. The pattern is consistent. Decisions get made at the last minute, commitments are forgotten, timelines are missed, and the customer absorbs the cost in wasted trips and wasted time. I planned multiple days around having their work completed correctly; not even on time, just correctly, only to be derailed by their quality mistakes. Process failures ran throughout both projects. Agreed details were consistently forgotten. Parts I didn’t request were ordered. The engine was painted the wrong color. Staff schedules appear unknown even to management. When I raised all of this directly with Ron, the owner, his response was essentially “mistakes happen” followed by walking away. No accountability, no acknowledgment of the time I lost, no attempt to make it right. That indifference from the top explains everything about the culture of the shop. I understand mistakes happen in precision work. I would rather bring everything back and get everything right. That’s fine with me. What I won’t tolerate is a pattern of disorganization, repeated errors across multiple builds, and an owner who responds to customer concerns with apathy. My time has value. Treating customers with respect is important. This will be my last project with them.

Very good service. Price was reasonable and work was well done.

Very very thankful for this company, I came to them last minute needing help, after taking my engine to performance associates, they did something weird with the cylinders and I was worried, I came to American telling them I really needed them to measure the cylinders and check them because I was worried, I brought it in on a Tuesday, turns out 5 of the cylinders were bored too small, they re honed them and my engine was ready on Wednesday. They are now going to do some work on my head! Very thankful they squeezed me in with how busy they are! 🙌🏽 Brian was very helpful, explained things, and took many phone calls back and forth! Thank you again!

Super helpful I will not go anywhere else

Quality work good hot tank.

These guys are tip top company. Friendly staff and technicians.

I didnt buy anything directly through this business but I bought the engine they built for someone else by the time I write this add. I had a few questions concerning the engine and even though my questions required some research they did on a previous engine they came back with answers and talked me through things. The guys over there are awesome and just with the small interaction I had I can tell they care about their service. 100% would recommend them.

I apologize I previously gave this establishment a bad review there is a Wisconsin business with a similar name (American motor and marine) I don’t know this company but they were very respectful with their response so I can only assume they are a reputable business