Every maintenance or tune‑up visit is focused on making sure the vehicle is truly ready to go—not just to start and run, but to be driven and enjoyed with confidence.

This is one aspect of a tune up that everyone seems to overlook, but it is standard procedure at our shop. We always perform a valve adjustment with tune ups to ensure quiet, consistent operation and a long service life. 

- Valve adjustments

We adjust carburetor settings—mixture, idle speed, choke operation, and synchronization (for multi‑carb setups)—to bring the engine back within factory specifications, all to ensure drivability, throttle response, and overall engine health.

- Carburetor tuning

We set ignition timing and dwell (where applicable). Then check the vacuum advance for leaks and inspect the plugs, wires, and distributor function to ensure easy starting, smooth idle, and strong, reliable performance.

- Ignition system setup

We inspect suspension and steering components for wear and play, then make alignment and adjustment corrections using factory procedures and specifications. The goal is always to make it handle as good as new.

- Suspension and steering alignment

We verify proper operation and adjustment of mechanical, hydraulic, or power‑assisted brake systems, depending on the era of your vehicle. We check drum diameter, rotor thickness, brake lining condition and brake shoe contact area. Pedal feel, balance, and stopping performance are checked so your car is stopping as good as day one. 

- Brake adjustment and safety checks

We check and service all lubrication points, including chassis lubrication, drivetrain and suspension components, and any grease fittings specific to your year and model. Proper lubrication is essential on older cars, both for drivability and longevity.

- Complete lubrication service

We don’t just “give it a look.” We perform a careful, bumper‑to‑bumper inspection tailored to vintage and antique vehicles—looking for wear, age‑related issues, safety concerns, and anything that might keep the car from performing as it should. If anything is found needing attention, you’ll be the first to know.

- Thorough, in‑depth inspections

Our maintenance and tune‑up services typically include:

At Mechanical Arts in St. George, Maine, we believe regular, detail‑driven maintenance is the key to keeping antique and classic vehicles reliable, safe, and enjoyable to drive. No job is too small, and every car that comes into the shop receives the same careful, methodical attention.

Whether you need a small repair or a complete rebuild, we focus on reliability, authenticity, and performance, so your classic engine is ready to run the way it was meant to.

Our team has wide, varied experience with antique, classic, domestic, and imported engines, making us a strong fit for everything from pre‑war powerplants to mid‑century classics and beyond.

-Experience across many makes & eras

Any part that will be reused is measured and thoroughly inspected against original specifications. If a component is out of spec or excessively worn, we use our vast network of specialists and vendors to recondition or replace that component. 

-Component inspection

All mating surfaces—heads, blocks, manifolds—are checked and trued to promote proper sealing and help ensure a leak‑free, long‑lasting repair.

-Precision machining & sealing

We handle complete overhauls as well as targeted repairs, including valve jobs, head gaskets, and re-seals.

-Full & partial rebuilds

From a simple head gasket or valve job to a full top‑to‑bottom rebuild, every engine at Mechanical Arts receives the same careful, detail‑driven approach.

Our team has extensive experience with cable and rod actuated brakes and everything through to the modern era. 

Before you consider converting to a modern brake setup—and potentially compromising your vehicle’s value and authenticity—talk to us. With our expertise, in-house brake lathe, and brake shoe arcing machine, we can often make your original brake system stop on a dime while remaining true to its period design.

-Brake Systems

To restore proper ride and road manners, we:
-Thoroughly inspect all suspension and steering components
-Recondition or replace worn parts
-Rebush as needed for proper fit and movement

The result is smooth, consistent operation that feels tight, confident, and appropriate to the era of the car.

-Chassis, Suspension & Steering

We rebuild and repair all the components that motivate your vehicle, including:
     -Manual transmissions
     -Transfer cases
     -Axles and differentials
     -Transaxles

-Drivetrain

We handle every aspect of your vehicle’s mechanical underpinnings, with the goal of making it ride, shift, steer, and stop as good as new—while preserving its originality.

You won’t find cheap, mismatched wire, plastic open‑ended butt connectors, or “temporary” fixes here. We pride ourselves on doing electrical work that is reliable, tidy, and in keeping with the character of your vintage vehicle.

-Accurate diagnosis of shorts, opens, bad grounds, and failing components

-Complete wiring harness repair or replacement, front to back

-Component rebuilding, such as gauges, radios, wiper motors and more.
     
-Clean, secure connections with proper terminals and protection
   
-Neat, logical wire routing that’s easy to service and doesn’t detract from  the car’s originality.

Our electrical work focuses on:

We handle all aspects of vintage auto electrical work, from tracking down stubborn little gremlins to complete, bumper‑to‑bumper harness replacements.

Whether it’s a gauge that’s gone dead, a horn that only works when it feels like it, dim lights, or a slow‑cranking starter, we can diagnose and correct any and all of your electrical needs.

We have extensive training in panel fabrication and the equipment to put that training to work: brakes, shears, rollers, English wheels, and more. When reproduction parts fall short (or don’t exist), we simply make what’s needed.

All work is done to restoration‑quality standards. We pride ourselves on minimal or no use of filler, always aiming for an all‑metal repair that’s straight, solid, and built to last—so your vehicle looks right and holds its value

-Collision and rust repair on bodies, fenders, floors, and structural panels

-Custom panel fabrication when quality replacement panels aren’t available

-Sectioning and grafting to retain as much original metal as possible

-Straightening and metal finishing to restore correct lines and contours

-Aluminum panel repair and fabrication

Our coachwork services include:

We handle all aspects of metal repair and fabrication, from subtle correction to major reconstruction, in steel and aluminum.

Whether the damage comes from a collision, hard use, or rust, we have the training, tools, and patience to bring the body back into proper shape.

The result is a vehicle that feels essentially brand new, just as it would have when it left the factory 50+ years ago. It looks right, fits together properly, and drives with the confidence and character you expect from a fully restored antique automobile.

-Completely disassembled, inspected, and rebuilt, using the same attention  to detail we bring to every individual service.

-Refit and refinished from end to end so panels, doors, trim, and glass line up and function as they should.

-Finished to a high standard of correctness, including proper hardware, plating, fasteners, and small details that are often overlooked.

-Completed with quality upholstery and interior work that matches the car’s character and era.

A full restoration at Mechanical Arts means the car is:

When you’re ready to take a special vehicle all the way, we combine everything we do—mechanical, electrical, coachwork, and detail work—into a single, comprehensive restoration.

—we can help design and execute a plan that fits your goals.


Our focus is on thoughtful modifications that respect the spirit and era of the vehicle, whether that means performance tuning, period racing touches, or carefully integrated modern conveniences.

-Turn a vintage sports car into a period‑correct racer

-Build a traditional hot rod out of your old Ford

-Subtly improve reliability, handling, or usability without spoiling the car’s character

If you’re looking to:

While we generally aim for factory‑correct appearance and function with every repair, we also offer upgrades and customization on a case‑by‑case basis, always with an eye toward safety, drivability, and period‑appropriate style.

We focus on careful cleaning, mechanical sorting, and targeted repairs that make the car safe and functional while maintaining its authenticity. The result is a vehicle that tells its full story—honestly—while being protected for the future.

-Stabilize and conserve, not “make it like new”

-Prevent further decay from rust, leaks, vermin, and neglect

-Retain original finishes, materials, and details wherever possible

-Respect provenance and patina, rather than erase it

Think barn finds, long‑stored originals, and historically significant vehicles where the goal is to:

Some vehicles are important enough that a full restoration would diminish their history and value. For these cars, preservation is the right path.

From vintage tourers to pre-war sports cars and mid-century GTs, we understand what it takes for an older car to cover serious miles on tight schedules.

-Pre-event inspection and preparation focused on reliability, cooling, brakes, and drivability

-Shakedown and sorting to identify and fix weak points before you’re on the starting line

-On-event support and car hauling (where arranged) to handle issues quickly and keep you in the rally

-Post-event inspection and service to address any fatigue, wear, or damage from the road

Rally services can include:

-We’ve campaigned a 1931 Reo Royale in four Hemmings Motor News Great Races, including a 2nd place finish in the Sportsman division in 2025. We’ve never failed to cross the finish line. 

-We’ve prepared cars for other Great Race competitors as well, including a 1966 Mercury S-55, and a 1928 Packard Speeder. We tailor setup and reliability upgrades to the demands of long-distance, time- speed-distance events.

-We provided Rally Support for the American Bugatti Club Fall Rally in  2024, keeping rare and significant cars running smoothly over  demanding routes.

-Our team has experience preparing cars for premier events such as the Copperstate 1000, Goodwood Historics and the Colorado Grand.

We bring real-world rally experience to our preparation and support work:

Whether you’re organizing a major classic car rally or entering as a competitor, Mechanical Arts can help make sure you and your car go the distance.

The goal is to give you the information you need to make a confident, informed decision, whether that means moving ahead, renegotiating, or walking away.

-A careful, systematic evaluation of body, chassis, mechanicals, and interior

-An honest assessment of originality, prior repairs, and visible/restoration needs

-A written report with clear photos, documenting what we find

Our pre‑purchase inspections include:

Before you commit to a new addition to your collection, it pays to know exactly what you’re getting.

Whether the vehicle is just down the road or across the country, we’re happy to perform a thorough pre‑purchase inspection on your behalf. The cost of an inspection is small compared to the money, time, and frustration it can save you by helping you avoid a sub‑par or misrepresented car.