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River City Motor Works

About Us

River City Motor Works, nestled in the heart of Dubuque, IA, is your locally-owned machine shop with expertise in automotive machining. Since opening in 2019, we have established ourselves as specialists in a wide array of services including boring, honing, crankshaft grinding, engine assembly, and engine parts sourcing. Proudly serving the communities of Dubuque County, Jo Daviess County, and Grant County, our dedicated team is committed to providing superior quality and precision for all your automotive needs. Discover the exceptional workmanship at River City Motor Works today!

Our Story

Nelson Truck & Equipment Service, Inc. has been a trusted name in Manitowoc, Wisconsin since 1979, proudly serving Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas with dependable truck and equipment repair solutions. With more than 45 years of industry experience, our mission has always been simple: to provide prompt, high-quality service that keeps our customers’ trucks and equipment running safely, efficiently, and reliably. From local owner-operators to commercial fleets, we are committed to delivering workmanship you can count on and service you can trust.

Our skilled team of professionals specializes in repairs for heavy-duty trucks, diesel engines, semi tractors, trailers, and a wide range of heavy equipment. We understand how critical your vehicles and machinery are to your daily operations, which is why we approach every job with attention to detail, technical expertise, and a strong sense of urgency. Whether you need routine maintenance or complex repairs, our technicians are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to diagnose issues accurately and complete repairs efficiently.

Nelson Truck & Equipment Service, Inc. offers a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Our capabilities include advanced electrical diagnostics to identify and resolve challenging issues, complete engine overhauls to restore performance and extend equipment life, and thorough truck, diesel, and heavy equipment repairs. To further support our customers, we also provide 24-hour emergency service, ensuring help is available when unexpected breakdowns occur and downtime needs to be minimized.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to exceptional customer service. For decades, we have focused on building strong, long-lasting relationships with our customers by being honest, reliable, and responsive. We take the time to listen, explain repairs clearly, and offer practical solutions that make sense for your equipment and your budget. Our reputation has been built on trust, quality workmanship, and a genuine dedication to helping our customers succeed.

When you need dependable repairs from a team that understands the demands of heavy-duty trucks and diesel equipment, turn to Nelson Truck & Equipment Service, Inc. For quality service backed by decades of experience, contact Nelson Truck & Equipment Service, Inc. in Manitowoc, Wisconsin—where your equipment is always in capable hands.

Areas Served

Our Professional Associations

American Engine Builders Association (AERA)

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Locally-Owned-and-Operated

Our Services include:

Engine Machining & Rebuilding: We specialize in precision engine machining for automotive and agricultural applications. Our services include boring and honing cylinders, crankshaft grinding, and cylinder head rebuilding to restore optimal performance and reliability. Whether you’re working on a car, truck, or farm equipment, we deliver expert craftsmanship for every engine component.
Surface Refinishing & Testing: Ensure your engine components meet exact specifications with our surfacing services for heads and blocks. We also provide crack inspection and pressure testing to detect hidden flaws and guarantee durability before reassembly. These steps help prevent costly failures and keep your engine running strong.
Pick-Up Service: For your convenience, we offer pick-up service to make transporting heavy engine parts hassle-free. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on getting your project completed.

Our Brands include:

Dart Manufacturing
Motor State Distributing
DNJ Engine Components
Engine Pro
Fel-Pro Gaskets
Federal-Mogul
Melling
Elgin Industries
PerformanceParts
Go-Fast-Parts

Our Products include:

Engine Kits
Engine Oil
All Engine Parts
All Engine Accessories
Trucks
Semi
Automotive

Testimonials

On 12/3/2025 Michael Douglas had this to say:
This is the place to go for all your machining needs Josh is amazing at what he does and has helped me out lots of times

On 8/8/2025 Dustin Shireman had this to say:
Special thanks to Josh at River City Motor Works for professionally refinishing my engine cylinders today. I strongly recommend him for all machining and engine-related services. Very helpful and good at his work!

On 5/29/2025 Mitchell Pfohl had this to say:
Josh is an awesome guy who does awesome work, he gives honest opinions and stands behind his work.

On 4/15/2025 Cory Griffiths had this to say:
Josh has done a bunch of work for me does great work and great guy

On 7/7/2024 Sheila Wieland had this to say:
It's always been a pleasure to do business with River City Motor Works! Curt & Sheila Wieland Wieland Machine & Engine LLC

Contact Us

River City Motor Works
3191 Cedar Cross Ct Dubuque, IA 52003
Phone: (563) 207-1206
Email: rivercitymotorworks@gmail.com

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

Debit and Credit Cards (4% fee), Personal Checks

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: By Appointment Only

News

As a family-owned business, we truly appreciate your trust and support throughout the year. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous 2026! We look forward to serving you in the new year. 🚗✨

Check out our latest work on this Duramax block! We pressure tested it for top-notch quality, installed Wagler billet main caps and stud girdle, line bored it with our portable line bore machine, decked the block, and perfected the main bores with our precision line hone. Your engine deserves the best!

FAQ

What services does River City Motor Works offer?

River City Motor Works specializes in precision machining and engine work. Our services include:

Crankshaft grinding and balancing

Engine block boring and honing

Cylinder head resurfacing

Custom engine assembly

Rod and crank balancing

Component machining and fabrication

Performance engine building

What types of engines do you work on?

We work on a wide variety of engines — from classic street motors to high-performance and race engines. Our machine shop can handle both domestic and import engine blocks, whether for restoration projects or custom builds.

Do you provide new or reconditioned parts?

Yes. We can fabricate, recondition, or custom-machine engine components such as crankshafts, connecting rods, and valve train parts. If parts need to be replaced, we can either re-machine existing pieces (if salvageable) or make new ones according to your specifications.

How long does an engine machining or rebuild project take?

Timing depends on the complexity of the job. A basic crankshaft grind or honing job may only take a day or two, while a full engine rebuild or custom engine assembly could take several weeks. During your initial consultation, we’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your project.

Do you offer performance upgrades?

Yes. In addition to standard machining services, we offer performance-oriented work. We can help optimize your engine for higher power, better durability, or specific racing applications by offering custom balancing, porting, and precision builds tailored to your performance goals.