Sign In Join 



Restoration Advice

220 messages,  Last post on May 31, 2009 at 5:49 PM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright

What is this discussion about? Performance Mods, Auto Body, Auto Repair, Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon


Messages Page 14 of 23
1
...
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
...
23
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#124 of 220
Re: 1954 Cadillac Coupe deVille - Advice needed [funchmobile] by bumpy
May 19, 2008 (11:20 am)
Reply

Replying to: funchmobile (May 19, 2008 10:24 am)

$5,000 for an old domestic V8? It shouldn't be anywhere near that much unless they're casting you a new engine block. IIRC, Cadillac used the exact same V-8 from 1948 through 1964 or so, so the easiest thing to do is to find another engine and have that one installed.
#125 of 220
Re: 1954 Cadillac Coupe deVille - Advice needed [funchmobile] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 19, 2008 (11:32 am)
Reply

Replying to: funchmobile (May 19, 2008 10:24 am)

Well these days doing an R&R on a big car like that and totally rebuilding the engine, along with all the gaskets, seals, hoses, belts, radiator, re-sealing the transmission, etc, probably would cost $5K.
 
But the question is, do you need an entire rebuild? It's possible on a car like this to just overhaul the engine in place ("freshen it up") as long as the cylinders aren't egg-shaped and the crankshaft mics out okay.
 
Your situation is, in my opinion, a fence-sitter. On the one hand, the car is not worth all that much that you can invest heavily in it; however, putting in another engine from a different year won't hurt the value all that much.
 
Part of your decision depends on the condition of the rest of the car. Unless this baby is pretty sharp all around, a solid high #3 or low #2 car or better, spending $5K on it doesn't seem financial wise.
 
But if you love the car, then the decision isn't based strictly on dollars.
#126 of 220
Re: 1954 Cadillac Coupe deVille - Advice needed [bumpy] by euphonium
May 19, 2008 (12:36 pm)
Reply

Replying to: bumpy (May 19, 2008 11:20 am)

Cadillac used the exact same V-8 from 1948 through 1964
 
1948 Cadillac used the former "flathead" engine. The Kettering Valve in Head first appeared in the 1949 Cadillac. It had 331 c.i. and a 7.5 Compression Ratio. Behind it was a 4 speed Hydra Matic, but the Rocket 88 in the Olds was the screamer at the time.
#127 of 220
1969 Camaro VIN by ibfootin
May 19, 2008 (6:14 pm)
Reply

Replying to: euphonium (May 19, 2008 12:36 pm)

Did the 1969 Camaros have 13 or 17 characters in the VIN
#128 of 220
Re: 1969 Camaro VIN [ibfootin] by euphonium
May 20, 2008 (9:41 am)
Reply

Replying to: ibfootin (May 19, 2008 6:14 pm)

Chevrolet VIN numbers in 1969 used a 13 digit alpha-numeric number, always starting with the number 1. ...
#129 of 220
Re: 1969 Camaro VIN [ibfootin] by ibfootin
May 20, 2008 (2:24 pm)
Reply

Replying to: ibfootin (May 19, 2008 6:14 pm)

Thanks. Is there a service that will recognize a 13 character VIN
#130 of 220
What "service" by euphonium
May 21, 2008 (1:17 pm)
Reply
Is there a service that will recognize a 13 character VIN
#131 of 220
Re: What "service" [euphonium] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 21, 2008 (1:48 pm)
Reply

Replying to: euphonium (May 21, 2008 1:17 pm)

He means a VIN decoder.
 
Just post it here, we'll decode it for you.
#132 of 220
Re: What "service" [Mr_Shiftright] by euphonium
May 21, 2008 (10:09 pm)
Reply

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 21, 2008 1:48 pm)

Thank you. I had no idea, but can now sleep sounder tonight.
#133 of 220
Re: 1954 Cadillac Coupe deVille - Advice needed [Mr_Shiftright] by funchmobile
May 26, 2008 (6:21 pm)
Reply

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 19, 2008 11:32 am)

My Shiftright,
Thanks for the info, and opinion. I have had the car's engine evaluated and it has 2 cylinders with zero compression and the others have around 100 lbs. "Tired out" is how the mechanic described it. He is looking for a possible swap but no luck so far. He is going to get back to me in a few days with pricing and options. In the mean time, I am driving it around a little and letting my son get a feel for the good old days. (He is 16 with his permit).
 
Thanks again,
 
Bill

Messages Page 14 of 23
1
...
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
...
23
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement