Clay's Auto Parts & Machine

4.5 (69)

  1315 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX 78210
  (210) 532-7336
  claysautopartsandmachineshop.com
  Claimed

Auto parts store Auto machine shop

From the business

  • Small business

Service options

  • Delivery

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Lou Reyes
a year ago
I'm sure at some point Clay's was a top shelf shop. In my experience, it's NOT 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, 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 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.BEWARE!

  Aaron Warren
a month ago
I'll give this place 5 stars. They saved me alot of money by fixing a cylinder head that another machine shop said was no good. So for now on, Clay's my first choice.

  Melton Cerritos
11 months ago
Call and ask for an estimate on valve job and did the valve job for $130 plus $55 for resurface. The seals for the valves are extra which were buy $23 and the cleaning of the head was not done which would assume that Poor workmanship will never ever have them do any work for me

  John Thompson
2 years ago
Outstanding customer service! Junior and Clay were great to work with. I just finally got my car back together and took it out for a spin. Drives like a dream and despite being super busy they were able to work with me to rebuild my short block in no time. All other shops told me 6-8 week minimum and some even said they were not taking any new business. The team at Clay's had me in and out in no time. They have my business for life and I will definitely recommend them to others.

  Matthew Martinez
4 months ago
Eh, I always get referred to here, but the answer I always get is "No, we can't do it"

  Steelbodywork
7 months ago
They've done many heads and engine overhauls, and did great work. AWESOME, thank you!

  preciliana cabral
2 years ago
Wow...rock shop on the Southside! Bought a bunch for my grandson who has taken an interest in rocks and gems. Good place to go because it's close to me and convenient. Price and selection are good too.

  Wm Driscoll
8 years ago
Awesome. Everything you want. Service, expertise, cost. You name it! I will not use another machine shop for anything as long as these guys are around.I went in already over my head. They shared their wealth of experience and patiently talked me through some of the things that I wasn't understanding. You definitely get what you need and they will not rip you off. Great shop!

  Victor Rangel
6 years ago
Very helpful service, they definitely are there to help you. They are polite and give very good information on what can be done, first time I was there was 5 years ago resurfacing an aluminum head on my own vehicle and it was perfectly resurfaced and cleaned thoroughly, that car is still going strong, I have been bringing my work there ever since.

  Jason Clearfield
11 years ago
I love having this place in the neighborhood. Staff are so helpful and knowledgeable and always ready to send you off with great technical advice and a realistic perspective when it comes to cost vs. efficiency; by that i mean, they don't rip you off, but get you what you need. Very, very good customer service!

  Fer za
7 years ago
They didn't have the part I was looking for,(windshield wipers) they said they need to get from warehouse and it would take 30 min. I asked if I could pay for them and if I could leave my car there and once they came in if they could install for me. They said 'no' i thought it was bad service since they do it everywhere else. I went to Autozone and actually the gentleman went out to look at car just to make sure I was getting the right ones and without me asking he snapped them on. A world of difference in service. Then you wonder why this corporate stores eat up this small shops. Customer service is the key.

  ROBERT HILL
3 years ago
If I could give them a zero I would. I took in some heads and when I went to pick them up they were a different set. I knew the number of my heads but Roger Jr.,the owner s son, didn t want to talk about it. Very disappointed so make sure you take a picture of your items before taking them in. I will be filling a BBB complaint.

  Dale Bennett
5 years ago
Clay's Machine Shop completed a long block premium rebuild on my '76 Buick 455 engine. Once installed, I let the Shop know I heard a noise. Without question, Clay personally scheduled/coordinated with me and came to my home, not once but twice. Once to trouble shot, and again to correct the issue of no clearance between the oil pan shield and bearings.Highly recommended. Thank you Team Clay.

  Chris W
6 months ago
Great Harley ride Great service and prices

  Monica Olivares
2 years ago
Roger is helpful & knowledgeable. They come highly recommended for motor rebuilt. Met the owner too everyone was so nice & friendly.

  Michael Johnson
5 years ago
Family atmosphere, courteous, patient and helpful. Excellent service.I challenge you to find Better vibes, parts knowledge or serviceThan these guys.MJ18.

  Justin L
3 years ago
Purchased a set of clevite 77 main bearings, rod bearings & Dura-bond cam bearings for a LSX block. Parts were available within a day & priced competitively.

  Jessica Montojo
3 years ago
I learned alot about myself and for my business... There is also a thriving rock shop but no one there to help me. Rarely spoken too.

  Steve Mcfadden
2 years ago
Been doing business with clay for more than 15 yrs. Great business and good laughs. Excellent work

  Javier Luna
8 years ago
Nice friend service but believe me even if they were rude I still buy from them their prices are ridiculously lower than all AutoZone or O'Reilly Gonzales try them out you like him. .... $$$$

  dWiGhT Mulcahy
9 months ago
Lots of parts knowledge here. Bring in the part, and they will identify it.

  Wendy Carter Peters
2 years ago
Very friendly, they go the extra mile to do a good job at a fair price.

  Sebon Sheffield
4 years ago
GREAT PLACE TO GET A PART FOR YOUR VEHICLE THIS IS MY SECOND TIME COMING BACK THEY VERY PROFESSIONAL AND PATIENT IF I NEED ANOTHER PART SOMEDAY I WILL PROBABLY BE BACK GOOD PRICES ON PARTS.

  Yolanda Garza
5 years ago
GREAT..BN ALL OVER TOWN LOOKING FOR CRANK SHAFT..FOUND IT..QUICK FRIENDLY SERVICE. GREAT ATTITUDE. HEARD THEY WERE GOOD BUT IM IMPRESSED...

  elissa bars
a year ago
Cool place, has a nice crystal shop inside to the right of the store

  Esther Hernandez
a year ago
I truly fall in love with this place. Fair prices

  Suzy Quintanilla
2 years ago
Very informative staff,share knowledge,good prices,would recommend this place.

  Terry Carpenter
2 years ago
Interesting set up of automobile shop and crystals. Nice people

  Terry Ueckert
2 years ago
Good people.....Best machine shop in town...

  Lucy Aranda
a year ago
Love the rocks they have here

  Opening Hours

Monday 8 AM-5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM-5 PM
Wednesday 8 AM-5 PM
Thursday 8 AM-5 PM
Friday 8 AM-5 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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