Need Recommendation on Mechanic

[WoodieSC]

I need a recommendation on a good, trustworthy mechanic for a 1993 Toyota Camary LE V6 Wagon... IN THE ANDERSON AREA, preferably.

The transmission, which I thought was the problem, has been checked out as being fine (for now).

The engine stutters/chokes/hesitated at start-up from a stop only. Once the vehicle gets above about 5-8 mph it runs like a top. Ironically, this ONLY happens in forward (D, 2, or L), but NOT in reverse. In reverse the engine is as smooth as silk, for whatever that means.

Whether related or not, as a cause or a symptom, the tach isn’t reading right. For example, cruising at 45 mph in Over-drive and the tach might show something around 450 rpms... yes, that’s ‘450’. Obviously something isn’t reading or working right.

The mechanic I‘ve worked with in Anderson was previously recommended to me by someone in the auto business, but this guy has been telling me for four years that 1st gear in the tranny was going bad, and that’s now been proven wrong.

A part of this, I think, is that when stopped (or just with your foot off the brake and allowing the car to move ahead slowly) and in low idle, the engine runs rough. Since the tach isn't reading accurately I can't say where it's running, but somehow I believe that's related.

Obviously need someone who understands pre-1996 Toyota’s, and I don’t trust the dealer. Been there, played their game.

Thanks.