About

Established in 1967

Precision Engine Machine Co. was founded in 1967 by Billy Ford and Dick Burgess. The company began with funding help from Bruce Wheeler, a local business man and owner of the Wheeler Dealer Top Fuel Dragster. Dick was the tuner and mechanic while Billy did the machine work. Jan Norris started his machinists apprenticeship many years earlier under an old German machinist. After completing his apprenticeship Jan took over the machine shop at B&J Automotive. A couple of years later Jan left B&J and joined the team at Precision Engine. In the 1979 Jan bought a third of the company and later ended up buying out both Billy and Dick. Now 50+ years after the company began Jan, his son Michael, and grandson Branden continue the tradition of building horsepower and to this day images of that front engine dragster are still the symbol of Precision Engine Machine Co.

Our Team

Jan Norris

Jan joined Precision as an employee in the early 70s and has been a machinist and engine builder for over 50 years. In the late 70's he bought into the business and became an equal partner with both Billy Ford and Dick Burgess. Later Jan bought the rest of the company and is now running the shop with the help of his son and grandson.

Michael Norris

Michael grew up in the shop and started at the age of 4 taking apart old carburetors on the floor while his dad ran the equipment. After attending the University of Maryland for engineering and a 4 year enlistment in the United States Air Force as a Software Engineer, Michael returned to the shop helping out and balancing his time between IT and engine building.

Branden Norris

Branden is now the third generation in the Norris family to join the Precision Engine team. He is currently the cylinder head specialist, however he is capable of performing all the machine work and assembly required to build high performance engines. With teachings from both his Father and Grandfather, Branden is poised to carry on the family engine building tradition.