About Manitowoc Motor Machining Company
Solving the Engine Problems Other Shops Send Our Way
Since 1985, we have helped fleets, repair shops, farmers, truckers, municipalities, hobbyists, and industrial customers solve difficult engine and machining problems with precision and persistence. At Manitowoc Motor Machining Company, we specialize in engine machining, cylinder head repair, engine block machining, electrical work, hydraulic hose and tube solutions, and complete long block assemblies. Our team combines more than 100 years of experience with upgraded machining technology and a simple standard that guides everything we do: if it is not done right, it is not done. When a problem is unusual, damaged, or difficult to diagnose, that is often exactly where our work begins.
A Business Built Around Engines, Engineering, and Problem-Solving
Manitowoc Motor Machining Company has been serving customers since 1985, but the business entered a new chapter in 2020 when our current owner purchased the company. He was looking for a change in career direction and wanted to pursue a long-standing engineering interest in internal combustion engines, so taking ownership of an established engine machining business felt like an opportunity to turn that interest into something practical and lasting.
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Buying the company also meant taking responsibility for much more than the machining itself. Learning the administrative side of the business, improving internal systems, developing staff, and creating better efficiencies became an important part of the work. Those changes have helped us strengthen the operation behind the scenes while continuing to focus on the thing our customers care about most: accurately diagnosing mechanical problems and repairing components correctly.
What keeps us motivated is the challenge. We enjoy solving problems that are not always obvious, especially when the customer needs a solution that cannot simply be ordered out of a catalog.
When the Problem Is Difficult, We Take a Closer Look
Engine machining is not a field where guessing gets you very far. A damaged lifter bore, cracked aluminum cylinder head, distorted block, worn component, or previous machining error can create problems that require careful measurement, experience, and a willingness to investigate before deciding what comes next.
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That is one of the biggest differences in how we work. We take the time needed to understand difficult cylinder head and engine block situations rather than rushing to a conclusion. In many cases, we can repair damage that other shops may consider beyond practical repair, including certain cracked aluminum cylinder heads and damaged lifter bores.
We also regularly see engines and components that have already been worked on somewhere else. When that happens, our approach does not change. We inspect the work carefully, identify what is wrong, correct what needs to be corrected, and treat the job with the same standard we apply to every engine that comes through our doors.
Engine Block Machining With Modern Rottler Equipment
As part of our continued investment in the business, we have upgraded two of our Rottler machining centers to better support both heavy-duty diesel and automotive engine block machining. Those upgrades give us greater flexibility when working across different engine sizes, applications, and machining requirements.
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Modern equipment matters because precision matters. Engine blocks operate within tight tolerances, and small errors in machining can lead to much larger problems once the engine is assembled and put back into service. Our goal is to combine reliable equipment with experienced judgment so the finished work is accurate, repeatable, and appropriate for the application.
That combination also allows us to serve a wider range of customers. From automotive engine builders and truck repair facilities to fleet operators and industrial businesses, we can support projects that require serious machining capability rather than basic parts replacement.
Cylinder Head Repair That Goes Beyond the Easy Jobs
Cylinder heads can develop cracks, wear, sealing problems, and other damage that is not always straightforward to correct. Instead of assuming replacement is the only answer, we evaluate the condition carefully and determine whether a repair is possible and practical.
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Our cylinder head work is one of the areas where experience becomes especially valuable. We have spent years seeing different failure patterns, materials, engine designs, and previous repair attempts, which helps us recognize when a component can be brought back into proper working condition.
Our team also includes an ASE-certified cylinder head machinist, adding another layer of technical knowledge to the work. Certification matters, but what matters just as much is the willingness to stay patient with complicated problems and keep looking for the right repair instead of the quickest one.
More Than 100 Years of Combined Experience in the Shop
Our team brings together younger, energetic employees and highly experienced staff members who have spent decades working in machining, engines, electrical systems, and related mechanical fields. Altogether, we have more than 100 years of combined experience, and that mix of perspectives is one of our strongest advantages.
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The more experienced members of our team provide knowledge that only comes from seeing thousands of real-world failures and repairs over the years. At the same time, younger employees bring curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn new processes and technologies as the industry continues to evolve.
We believe the best shops are the ones where knowledge gets shared rather than guarded. One of our core values is to raise everyone around us, which means experienced team members help develop newer technicians and employees so the entire company becomes more capable over time.
Electrical, Hydraulic, and Mechanical Solutions Under One Roof
Our work extends beyond engine machining. We also help customers with electrical problems, hydraulic tube and hose needs, and other mechanical situations where practical expertise is required.
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Our electrical specialist is ASE certified, and our team is accustomed to working through problems that may not have an obvious off-the-shelf answer. That matters to customers operating trucks, industrial equipment, farm machinery, municipal vehicles, and specialty equipment where downtime can become expensive very quickly.
We also maintain inventory that may be difficult to find elsewhere. Having access to less-common parts and materials can sometimes make the difference between getting a project moving and waiting on a solution that may be weeks away.
Six Core Values That Define How We Work
Our values are not decorative statements we put on a wall. They are intended to guide how we make decisions, how we treat customers and coworkers, and what we do when the easiest option is not necessarily the right one.
Leave It Better
We start with “Leave It Better,” which means every project, process, relationship, and interaction should improve because we were involved.
Do Right, Always
“Do Right, Always” means integrity does not change depending on whether anyone is watching
Raise Everyone
“Raise Everyone” reflects our belief that strong teams grow by sharing knowledge and helping one another improve.
Find the Better Way
We also believe in “Find the Better Way,” because the current process should never be treated as untouchable.
Move With Purpose
“Move With Purpose” reminds us that speed matters only when it is paired with preparation
Never Settle
“Never Settle” reinforces the standard behind everything else. Good enough is not the finish line, especially when precision and reliability are on the line.
If It Is Not Done Right, It Is Not Done
That statement captures our attitude toward quality more clearly than anything else. Customers depend on our work in vehicles, trucks, machinery, equipment, fleets, and other applications where a poor repair can lead to downtime, repeat labor, or even larger failures later.
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We stand behind complete long block assemblies with a 12-month warranty, and if machining work is performed incorrectly, we make it right. That accountability is important to us because mistakes should not be hidden, minimized, or pushed back onto the customer.
Our quality process is built around inspection, measurement, communication, and correction when needed. We would rather spend the additional time getting something right than send a customer out the door with a problem waiting to happen.
Serving Fleets, Repair Shops, Farmers, Municipalities, and More
Our customer base is broad because engines and mechanical systems touch so many industries. We work with fleet maintenance departments, truck repair facilities, exotic automotive engine shops, farmers, truckers, hobbyists, industrial businesses, municipalities, and town and city maintenance departments.
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Some customers bring us components for a specific machining operation, while others arrive with a complicated problem and are not even sure what the correct repair should be. We are comfortable with both situations, and we encourage customers to bring in the parts that need attention so we can evaluate them properly.
That variety keeps the work interesting. One day may involve a heavy-duty diesel block, while another may involve an unusual cylinder head, electrical issue, custom hydraulic solution, or a specialty engine project that requires a little extra thinking.
What to Expect When You Walk Through the Door
Your first interaction with us starts with listening. Our front counter team takes the time to understand what you brought in, what the equipment has been doing, what work has already been attempted, and what outcome you are trying to achieve.
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From there, we can determine what needs to be inspected and what additional information may be useful. We do not expect every customer to arrive with a complete diagnosis because figuring out the problem is often exactly why they came to us in the first place.
If something changes or an issue arises during the job, we review it internally and escalate it as needed so it can be resolved quickly. Clear communication matters because customers should not be left wondering where the project stands or why a recommendation changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide engine block and cylinder head machining for automotive, heavy-duty diesel, industrial, and specialty applications. Our upgraded Rottler machining centers allow us to support a wide range of block machining needs with precision.
In many cases, yes. We evaluate cracked and damaged aluminum cylinder heads carefully to determine whether a reliable repair is possible. The exact solution depends on the location, severity, and overall condition of the component.
Yes, damaged lifter bore repair is one of the difficult machining situations we are equipped to evaluate and correct. Bring the block in so we can inspect the damage and determine the appropriate repair process.
Yes. We frequently receive engines and components that have already been machined or repaired elsewhere. We inspect the existing work, identify problems, and correct what is necessary to bring the component back to the proper standard.
We provide a 12-month warranty on complete long block assemblies. We also stand behind our machining work and will make it right if an error in our machine work is identified.
Yes. Two of our Rottler machining centers have been upgraded to support heavy-duty diesel as well as automotive engine block machining, allowing us to serve truck, fleet, agricultural, and industrial customers.
Yes. Our capabilities include electrical expertise as well as hydraulic tube and hose solutions. Our electrical specialist is ASE certified, and we can help evaluate mechanical and electrical problems that require specialized troubleshooting.
Bring in the parts or components that need attention along with any information you have about the symptoms, previous repairs, or application. We will listen, inspect the problem, and help determine what should happen next.
Call or come in and explain the situation anyway. If the job falls outside our capabilities, we may still be able to help point you toward another practical solution or resource.
Bring Us the Problem That Has Been Keeping You Stuck
When an engine, cylinder head, block, electrical system, or hydraulic component presents a difficult problem, we believe the answer starts with careful diagnosis rather than guesswork. That’s why, since 1985, Manitowoc Motor Machining Company has built its reputation around solving challenging mechanical problems, improving what comes through our doors, and refusing to settle for work that is merely good enough. And with more than 100 years of combined team experience, upgraded machining equipment, ASE-certified specialists, and a commitment to making things right, we are ready to help. So bring in the parts that need attention, tell us what is happening, and let us figure out the next step together.