I first went to T&P in late 1993 because I needed an engine in my '67 Impala rebuilt but I wanted…read moreto learn and do the work myself without making expensive mistakes under the watchful eye of a guy who knows. I was referred to Barney and he let me use the corner of his shop over the course of a year in my spare time. Oh yeah, I learned a few (semi-expensive) lessons but he never gave me grief and helped me out and I sincerely appreciate that. He is definitely a standup guy. I moved to Austin a year later and haven't been back since but I have continued to refer the occasional person there if they live in the San Antonio area and need a machine shop. If you're a regular guy who wants to hotrod the engine in your old car, Barney can do it for you. If you walk in the shop you can tell just by looking at the equipment that they are serious about the work they do. It may look messy and sloppy with parts lying around, but while I was there over the course of the year I watched the other shop employees and they were meticulous about the work they did, always re-checking measurements for accuracy. A machine shop doesn't stay in business long if their work product is crap and they were always busy, even on Saturdays. Kinda tells you something, doesn't it? He knows how to build a motor (ask him about the 389 Poncho) and he won't sell you services you don't need for your intended use (you don't need a forged crank for a daily driver, etc). I'm doing another engine build now after 25 years for an El Camino (383 stroker) and trying to find a machine shop in Austin that I can trust as much as I trusted Barney. Unfortunately, he's just a bit too far away for me to haul everything down there. :-(

From the owner: Since 1974, T & P Automotive Machine Shop has built a reputation for getting to the bottom of any…read moreand all motor troubles. Barney, our owner, came into the shop in 1979, and he's been building relationships with customers and solving problems ever since. Whether you're looking for performance upgrades, engine balancing, or maintenance upkeep, just come by and we'll work with you to get the job done right the first time. Just one visit, and you'll see why our customers have continued to come back to us for over four decades.

Job Title: Expert Engine Builder - 40 years experience…read more Previous Forman from other shops in Austin Texas Previous Owner of Jim's Motor Works Auto Machine Shop in Cedar Creek, Bastrop, Texas New employee who is an expert, and very knowledgeable, and experienced, knows his job well, his been doing his job for 40 years, he just happened to be in Danny's business. He recently started working at the end of 2025 to now 2026. He believes in Quality Product that he produces, no shortcuts! He used to have his own shop in Cedar Creek at Bastrop called "Jim's Motor Works Auto Machine Shop" he is open minded about anything that has got to do with repairing vehicles, he did an engine overhaul to a 1971 Mustang, and and others. Open minded, great team, excellent service, great people, and great asking for advice especially when a person knows what is doing! Danny is very blessed to have, Jim.

I highly recommend this place. They treat you like family…read moreand are very friendly!! They will assist you in anything related to your vehicles!!

These guys are a big rip off please beware....They charged me 350 in parts that really only costed…read more95.00 saying there adsolet.....they wanted to order me piston saying they cost 900 dollars but I found them for 400.my engine sat there for over two months and I ended up picking up the engine in hundred pieces due to them saying they won't be able to finish cause they have to much work.Nick is a crook the guy that works in the front....worst guy to deal with.He didn't even want to answer the phone.I returned back the parts that they were over charging me for and they charged me 65.00 to return at 15 % to restock and 20 dollars to reship.. Please beware and stay away from these guys....Don't say I didn't worn you....I wish I had 5 hands so I can give them 10 thumbs down.....

Here is my story and opinion:…read more I feel these guys are crooked. I took TWO, four bolt main 350's in and they said both were cracked. The first I agree it was cracked. I suspected it when I took it in. The Second however was a clean unpainted block that was just cleaned and magnafluxed 1 year ago. PERECT Block, but neede to be bored .010 over. This from a machine shop I had used in Wichita KS, very frequently. I take it to E and E and they immediately sarted salivating over this block. 10 working days later they call an say it's cracked too!! Sensing I'm being scammed I go to the shop to look at the block. ITS PAINTED BLACK. I said that's not my block and he says "yes it is, t's got your name on the side" written in a marker by them! I argued and they treatened to call the cops for disturburbing the peace. MY BLOCK WAS NEVER PAINTED!!!!! I asked them if they painted it and they said "no". I striped this block down to bare metal myself!!!! Where did this painted block come from? AND where the heck is my BLOCK????? The more I tried to ask him, the more they insistedI leave their shop!!! IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD TAKE MY MACHINE WORK SOMEPLCAE ELSE.

I'm sure at some point Clay's was a top shelf machine and auto parts shop. In my experience, it's…read morenot that anymore. It's been almost a year since my dealings with Clay and JR and felt/feel completely fugged-over by them. I've since chalked it up to lesson learned and moved on to another shop. GOOD: courteous and extremely knowledgeable staff. Machine work prices are fair and the tolerances are accurate. Also, they're no strangers to classic engines - which is rare. Background: 1963 Cadillac 390. Stock, spare no expense machine and rebuild. I spoke directly with Clay and requested that the engine block and heads get hot-tank cleaned and carefully inspected for cracks or damage. If ok, check dimensionally. If ok, a quote including parts, labor, and necessary machine work. Clay agreed and recommended machining the heads to accept newer-style valve guide seals. I agreed and asked for an estimate on turnaround time but I made it clear I was not trying to rush. Clay committed to getting a quote to me the following week and that, if I approve, the work will be done within a week or two after that. I paid for the clean-and-check up front and left a deposit for machine work. Then it all went downhill from there. BAD: I didn't hear back for several weeks. When I finally called, I spoke with JR. He apologized and explained that Clay is only in the shop Tuesday-Thursday and that he didn't know what Clay was doing with this project but that he would give him the message and he'd surely call me back. He didn't. This cycle repeated for close to 4 months. Not one call from them to me. Not once. When I had a belly full of it, I called called and said I'd come pick up my parts. Suddenly, not to worry, my engine would be ready for pick up in 2 days. 2 days later, I take time off work to pick up my stuff (not open weekends and they close at 5) before they close. I do a cursory look over everything, looks good, and load everything in my work van and pay the balance. All-in the tab was just shy of $4k. Yes. $4,000 for parts, machine work, and labor - no assembly. If you're thinking part price drove this price, they didn't. A complete engine rebuild parts kit from a reputable source with quality parts is around $1500. Ok, I DID said "spare no expense" right? So I would not squeak if in return for my money and long wait I received top-notch work with quality parts. Nope. The block and heads looked great! Fresh and clean cast iron with fresh valves on the heads! So what's wrong with that? For starters, the valves were new but the springs, retainers, and seals were not. Remember those new-style seals Clay sold me on? Nope. Old style AND old reused seals were reinstalled (pics). Second, the fresh cast iron look was not because they were clean. It's because they were all spray painted with cast iron paint!!! Over grease blobs too. So now I'm really mad and look deeper at the work. Since I now know that the fresh appearance comes from a rattle can, I suspect that the block/heads were NOT properly hot-tanked as promised (and charged for). I turn my attention to the block/head expansion plugs and see that they were never removed. Just painted over with iron paint (which I now have to remove to repaint in the original color). I scrape away the paint around the perimeter of one of the plugs and my pick pokes right through - rusty from the inside. The plugs weren't checked, much less removed. Removing them revealed cooling jackets fully clogged with years of gunk and debris - the reason for hot-tanking an engine block and heads in the first place. I ended up taking my engine block and heads to another shop that fully cleaned and re inspected the block/heads before assembly work began - costing me even more money. Eventually, called Clay's and JR answered. I asked why parts were not hot-tanked as promised and he explained they don't have a hot tank at all. Just a commercial parts washer. He didn't have an answer for the paint. Oh and the new oil pump gears are two different sizes. Can't use. Another $150 I'll need to spend. Clay's never again. Ill post receipts soon. BEWARE!

Clay's it top notch. There is no one else I would trust to work on my motors. They have forgotten…read moremore than most machine / engine shops will ever know. They built the motor in my 57 vette. Instead of telling me that they could not weld my cracked blocked they took the time to not only weld it right but also helped me chase down an oil leak issue at my house once the motor was back in the car. The top rear galley plug leaked when the motor got to temerature. It would have been easy for them to tell me this was not their issue as they were clear when taking on the motor that their was no guarentee due to the orriginal condition of my motor. Instead both Roger and Clay took the time and effort to help me figure it out. They are currently machining and building my straght six 235 for my orriginal 1955 Cameo. HAPPY Customer. Lex.

I have to say I am very impressed with this shop. They offer world class machining services and…read moreexpertise on a wide array of engines, something that San Antonio needs. I recently took a Pontiac 400 block to them after the original cast crank snapped. While the damage to the main journals was too great to save the block I know they did everything they could to save it. I left with a sense of peace that if the block could not be saved by them, then no one could. I am thankful for their efforts and knowledge moving forward.

Took a couple small engine cylinders to have bored out one day and they were ready the next at a…read morevery fair price. Extremely accurate and precise work by very passionate staff. Customer service seems to be a lost art these days but that art is on full display at this business.

Valve jobs Long blocks…read moreShort blocks Great service ! Price is reasonable Great owner

I needed some modification to bolts that held up 8 foot sliding glass doors. Jarrett was helpful,…read moreprofessional, timely, and knowledgeable in his responses. I was able to complete the project in a short period of time. I definitely recommend JB Machine for metal work.

I needed a last minute job done. I had a piece of aluminum that needed holes drilled in it. Called,…read moresaid he could help me out, I swung by almost immediately and they definitely helped me out. Really nice and quick and did exactly what I needed. I really appreciate it. Thank youuu! Really recommend!

Great service and really efficient . Came in for an oil change and left with no issues or concerns .read more

I know two mechanics that worked there. They swap out good motors and transmissions with bad ones…read more They don't give out receipts so that you can't sue them. DO NOT DK BUSINESS WITH THEM. If you still do business there, at least have them give you a document with their logo or company name and have them record the serial numbers of your motor a d transmission.