This is the most professional machine shop in the area (East Bay). Others are like you walk back into 1980s but Rob keeps his shop tidy, organized, and professionally looking. A few newer muscle cars being worked on when you walk right in tells me they are ready doing something. Most other shops can only do few things and send jobs out to others but this shop is the most well equipped. I will not be running around town anymore. read more

Preface: 2006 subaru wrx engine build. I supplied brand new engine components to rob jr including new case halves, crank shaft, pistons, gaskets, everything and specifically requested my exact measurements for the engine build. Its been 4 years since then, and just now getting the build completed and ready for tuning. Before firing the engine, i disabled the fuel system to build oil pressure, and thats when the problems started. First it was the avcs solenoids leaking, the bolts were never secured, then the turbo oil feed line, again, bolt. I looked over everything, then fired the engine, ok great, runs wonderfully, then noticed the excess smoke from the front of the engine. Turned it off, saw the pool of oil on the ground. The oil was coming from the timing cover. I removed everything only to find the front crank seal WAS MISSING. Not incorrectly installed, straight up missing. Leak #4. I should have been suspicious of the build after receiving the bag of extra seals, and 2 rather important seals were in it. At this stage, because of the level of power im going for, im going to have to remove the engine and send it to another reputable subaru engine builder to inspect and probably fix more hidden hidden mistakes. Subaru guys, just stay away from companies other than the ones in our community. As a follow up, im a master mechanic for European and exotic cars, these kinds of mistakes are completely unacceptable for a specialized business. Pictures of my claim are attached read more

Rob's Auto Machine - Missing front crank seal - Auto Repair Near Me - Hayward, California

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Robs machine shop is great, This review is long over due. I did a head refresh for my 2000 subaru impreza for a engine rebuild and they were awesome. i was able to do my swap that same day. read more

Helped me out a bunch, and for a way better price than most shops. 4.6 DOHC bored and honed. Probably coming back for even more help

Brought my sons head over here to get shaved and pressure tested. These guys are amazing and do really great work! I brought it in when they opened and they were completed and done by 2:30pm! Will hope to not have to come back again, but if I need other work I definitely would! Great job! read more

Had to had my motor running before a review, they bored and honed my Subaru block and balanced the crank, measured the bearing clearances and cleaned my heads they can do it all. Trusted Subaru machine shop but not just Subaru all cars. The hone and decking of the block was beautiful, everything is running good with the new block thanks to the shop! Friendly and will answer all your questions and they get the job done quick. read more

Rob's Auto Machine - Car is back and running. - Auto Repair Near Me - Hayward, California

Always killing it . Had a ton of machine work done here over the years from 4 banger model A engines all the way up to nostalgic nitro hemi A+++ ! Thanks guys read more

I had Rob Jr help rebuild my z06 after I blew the original motor. He did the rebuild on my ls7 heads and drill them for 1/2" head studs. He also assembled the forged motor and cleaned up all the parts and installed the heads. I can't say enough good things about these guys really went above and beyond. Car is running great good and making a ton of power read more

Good machinists but not neat freaks, spotty on the business side of things. Recently built an engine with this shop. Rob Jr. did some light porting and valve work on the heads and Rob Sr. handled machine work on the block, crank and rods. Brought the heads in first and had a hard time with the business side of things - calls wouldn't be returned and the first time I went to pick them up they weren't actually finished and nobody in the shop seemed to know what was going on with them. A few phone calls and a few weeks later I picked them up - the valve job seemed OK, light porting seemed OK if not a a bit rushed, tanking job was substandard with coolant residue still in the passages and the valvetrain was returned jangling around loose in some random cardboard box instead of being cleanly bagged as I expect for the kind of money I paid. Made it clear to Rob Sr. that I wasn't happy with the cleanliness or communications issues on the head and took a risk bringing in the bottom end. Block came back super clean (they have an ultrasonic tank that really works) and all the machine work on the block, crank and rods was good with far fewer communication issues, though Rob did struggle to balance the crank and led me to believe it was unbalanceable before figuring out what he had set up wrong. Parts were returned clean in as good or better packing/condition than delivered. Engine has been built, raced and held up. 4 stars for the bottom end work, 2.5 for the head work and 2 on the business side. read more

Quoted me $350 for a valve job over the phone, when I went in the next day it was $400. I asked why the increase, I was told because he was going to replace the valves and guides. When I picked the heads up 2-weeks later, the price was $450. When I asked why, he said because he replaced the valves and guides. Integrity isn't his strong point. Even with the quote written out, he still didn't honor the quote. read more

Brought my aluminum block in last summer to them for cleaning, honing, and decking. Mind you, the block was in good condition, non over heated or such. Rob assured me he'd do a good job and remove all the galley plugs to get a thorough cleaning. When I brought it home, although the outside looked clean, i found MAJOR sludge still built up in the galley ways due to plugs NOT REMOVED! Over decked as well, causing me to run higher than necessry compression. Price is average, dont let them think theyre "hooking" you up fyi. read more

Rebuilt the motor for our '52 Chevy, work was solid, completed early and for less than we were quoted by a few more local shops. It was definitely worth the trip. The shop and staff and are as good as it gets. Will definitely recommend them to others and will call for future needs. read more

Rob Sr. and I traded emails about our 66 slant 6 head, and he gave me a price breakdown for the work. This was Friday / Saturday. He said if I could get him the head Monday AM first thing, he could get it back to me the next day by 4:30. I figured there was no way to get it done that fast, and I was really surprised when I got a call about 3:30 saying it was almost ready. They took time to show myself and my son around their shop, and the staff is clearly proud of their shop, equipment and the projects they are working on. They explained what each machine was used for, and showed us our head in process. They stayed late on New Year's Eve waiting for us to fight traffic there. The quality of work was excellent, and Rob Jr. went above and beyond, fixing sheared off studs and installing hardened valve seats etc. When I need my block done, I will definitely bring it in to them. read more

On services I wait till I have used enough to know If I'm getting consistent service . My assessment of this place is they have been consistent on both Price and work . I am an extreme hobbyist I assemble between 50-80 engines a year . I usually don't let my knowledge of engines out of the bag early, I listen to what I'm being told then make my decision on weather to use them or not . I have brought Robs all sorts of theory engines like flat head sbc bbf bbc sbf mopar Stuff all the way up to top fuel nitro hemi . And he has returned every bit of it machined the way I asked . At this point I have handed jobs to him personally his son and his employees . . And have received consistent service . I would recommend them . It's impossible to know everything about every engine but There consistent ability to listen to me and what I want has lead me to success with my builds . I'm probably the only problem in the relation ship because I'm always in a hurry . . But they seem to keep up well . Thank you robs auto machine and staff . read more

Great machine work, and very good customer service, and very honest people I recommend this shop to get your engine work done.

If you have a subaru engine and it needs machining and rebuilding this is the right place for you. Rob is very knowledgeable on building stroker motors . i went to get my block machined and talk to Rob, I was amazed how well informed about subaru engine . i was going to built it my self but I just realize how little i know about building stroker engine.Robs did the machining clearance and assembly. I do rebuilt engine from the dealership but never a subaru and a stroker . thanks again Rob read more

I had Rob build a complete big block Chevy engine. He was full of useful information and recommendations. The work was done surprisingly quickly with a lot of attention to details. He didn't jump to the most expensive parts but saved me a few dollars with effective alternatives. Very pleased with the results! Both Rob and his son were great to work with. read more

Please make sure that they do not screw you over and sell you things you don't necessarily need! BE FIRM on what work is being done. I heard a couple of stories of shop being crooked in that matter, I've heard other stories of them being good. I took the chance, being the shop was most closest to my house. Lets just say the first two stories were proven right. I was hassled very rudely after not being tooled around like a dummy, (took auto machine class at Chabot College), and learned how to do them fully, but still was being mislead and misguided into thinking I needed extra work done to the motor/heads. Everything also checked out fine before leaving the shop when I dropped it off, got a call the next day saying THE SAME THINGS were bad lol. On top of that, I was treated very badly after agreeing not to pay for the unnecessary work. But nevertheless, that is the last time I am providing my money here. I will be taking my work down to Dave's Machining and giving him a try. read more