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Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:17 pm

anyone know of a good vw mechanic around lemoore, ca? about an hour outside of fresno

Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:21 pm

dunno how close to you this is but john wilson of wilsons foreign auto in visalia cal was good. He built a dam strong 1600 for my brothers bug. I coulda swore it was bigger than that but he didnt tell us. I dont know if hes even still in business but he was good.

Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:07 am

bugstud wrote: anyone know of a good vw mechanic around lemoore, ca? about an hour outside of fresno

You're in the Navy, aren't you? 8)

I lived there for 4 years. I hope I never go back, not because I hate the place, but because it's a health hazard. I can't breathe like I used to because of all the smog and such, maybe it'll get better the more I'm away. Don't have kids there, 60% chance of asthma. Also, watch out for this: http://www.dhpe.org/infect/valley.html

For VW stuff, why not drive to CB performance? Famersville is only 45 minutes from where you are on 198, I'm sure anyone that works there can help you out. You could look up my buddy Jerry Davis, or any one of the Lemoore Aircoolers. PM me, I'll send you his address and number. Or you could try Dale Bowden, they call him the Bug Man. He's helped me out more than I can count. He lives off 12th Ave in Hanford, PM me contact info.

For machine shops I used to go to Engine Masters in Fresno, but got tired of the drive on 41. I hate all the traffic lights. I started using a local guy who works out of a place called Lawrence Auto Machine; it's on Houston between 10th and 11th in Hanford. He mostly does dirt track race engines, but he can bore out cylinders, has a hot tank to clean parts, a dyno, and also does headwork. Give him a call if you need a machinist, he always gave me a real fair price.

Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:03 am

We have a couple of places in Fresno. Sebrings West, Burnetts, or Speed Unlimited. I have done quite a bit of business with Sebrings, good guys

Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:32 am

Yeah, forgot about Seabring West. I like their place too, it's where I used to get wideband oxygen sensors on the cheap. 8)

Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:36 pm

Dan Bergen, is starting his own shop in Clovis, it will be up and running in a couple of weeks.
Please show your support for this very talented and knowledgeable mechanic during these tough financial times.
If you can not wait that long I'm sure he can make some sort of arrangements for you. PM me if you would like his cell #.
Speed Unlimited of Fresno is done as 12/31, Ron (the ass hat) has decided to retire. =D> Dan will keep the SUoF phone number and part inventory.
I've heard that Sebring West is phasing out work and parts for the air cooled VW.

Speed Unlimited of Clovis
972 Barstow Ave, Unit C
Clovis CA
559-233-0885

Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:24 pm

I talked to a buddy at Sebrings, he hasn't heard anything about getting of of the ACVW business.

I am sure there is enough around here for both. Speed Unlimited always had what I was looking for, but often very hard to deal with.

Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:45 pm

I would second the selection of VW mechanics and parts houses in the Central Valley. CB in Farmersville has about everything that you would need in the way of parts and engine knowledge wise they will hard to beat. Burnett's in Clovis are just great people to deal with for parts or engine work, Sebring would be next. It's good to hear another place is moving to Clovis for VW's.

Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:35 pm

Bugstud:

What's the deal with the guy off of Bush Avenue exit and Hwy 41 with all of the bugs. He's been there forever and I never see anyone there. Do you know if he sells those things or just teases us?

Burnett's are great people.

Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:54 pm

The guy on 19th and a half street off Bush?
He's an eccentric dickhead, if I say so myself. You won't get nothin' outta him, unless you want a full resto. :roll: It's cool though he doesn't have anything of real value, just Fatchicks mostly. :lol:

Sat May 29, 2010 6:22 pm

almost stopped there today to check it out, i'm a tow truck driver and i drive by that place all the time! since he's a dick, i'm glad i didnt.

Sat May 29, 2010 11:14 pm

I used to teach in lemoore and commute from Fresno. From the people i have talked with who have bought bugs from the Bush ave shop, they were over priced painted pretty junk. I would recommend Dan at the new Speed Unlimited. I have known him for years. He is also excellent with transaxles and keeps notes on all the cars he works on. I have also found that his parts are usually cheaper the Sebrings. I work at Fresno City College (across the street from Sebring's) and unless it is some very minor part, I would rather drive across town to Dan's. Sebring still carrys VW stuff, but they are more focused on working on more modern cars.

There is also Dales automotive on Hammand off of Blackstone. he is not a part store, but a shop that has been around for "years". he is just by the railroad tracks and you won't miss it because of all the Porsches and VWs in the parking area. He personnaly used to race and build his own cars, plus he has a great personality.

Just my 2CW

Sun May 30, 2010 9:02 am

i just mooved to hanford from Jax,Fl good info to know about . I am tring to get my 66 back together and dint knwo were to go. I need trim and inside stuff.

Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:54 pm

sorry to bring this back from the dead but i have just moved to the area of lemoore NAS and yes i am navy. bought a 67bug in wa while on leave and about to bring it down here to start working on it. any great shops in the area is CB performance still only 45mins away? anything even closer looking for parts to restore my bug and make it my own.

Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:31 pm

Seabring West has random stuff:

1744 North Blackstone Avenue
Fresno, CA 93703-2910
(559) 237-2244

There's also Century:

http://www.centurydistributors.com/

2417 East Main Street
Visalia
(559) 734-0430

IMO if you're gonna drive to Vis, you might as well go the extra 8 miles or whatever it is, and make it to CB.

Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:17 pm

hey thank you. I am still learning the area. Nice to know theres a good shop near by and not have to count on just surfing the web for stuff and info

Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:13 pm

When you go to the Hobby shop on base, tell Glen to hurry up and finish the pile of crap car he's building. You can tell him Nick sent ya. :lol:

Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:36 pm

ok will do.

Thu Aug 05, 2010 6:05 am

Anybody knows where i can have my floor pan fixed. I lived in Hanford and which shop to avoid. thanks.

Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:37 am

I used to work for sebring, cb, and a few others in this area. I still build trans for CB, Sebring,Dales and a few other shops. I do mostly VW type trans, however have been working on VWs since 84. If you want any references call CB and ask who to call for a trans. Ive lived in this area since87 I know whos who in this area, Oh and I have installed many floor pan sections, from Wolfsburg (best quality) to cheap weld in batt sections 313-3301 I am also the only autherized Mendeola dealer from LA area to Sac area