Projects My New Project: 1956 Cadillac Sedan Deville Resurrection Thread

buy a valve grind gasket set, will come with head, intake, exhaust, valve seals etc...

 

reuse the head bolts

 

You got it! As long as the retainers and locks are stuck, when you use the spring compressor all you're going to do is open and close the valves. The idea of using a deepwell socket is distribute the load more evenly around the retainer when you hammer it. Otherwise there's a greater chance of damaging the retainer or hitting the tip of the valve stem.

Once you get things freed up you may find that your air compressor will hold the valves closed for you when you use the spring compressor. ...Assuming that the valves and rings are sealing well enough.

Don't know what kind of rope you're using but some kinds are a bit soft and compressable. I think that's why you'll sometimes hear clothesline being recommended. I heard or read of something else being used for this purpose some time ago but I'll be damned if I can remember WTH it was now! Maybe a length of thick wall rubber hose like reinforced fuel line???

 

Man that's a beautiful Caddy!
Love your enthusiasm, that's what it's all about.

You've got a car that'll become a member of the family as opposed to just transporting the family.
You'll look back on this for years to come with pride.

Way to go!

 

Thanks for all the help and kind words! Clay Mart, I plan on giving your method a test, and it it does not work, it is off with the heads!!! Also in the mean time, I want to paint the valve covers, intake and heads the correct Cadillac Colors. Does anyone have any pointers on where to get paint? Does a normal auto parts store have the right colors?

 

McVey's or USA Parts has the correct Cadillac Blue in a rattle can...doubt an auto parts tore will have the correct color, but I'd bet you can get close if you don't mind a different shade.

R-

 

NIce score man, love these awesome Caddy's. Let the good times roll! ~sololobo~

 

The engine is a dark blue and the air cleaner and valve covers are gold correct?

THanks! Hopefully it will all work out

 

I know the engine is a dark blue, but am not 100% certain about the gold on the valve covers...I'm not a Cadillac purist so cannot answer with certainty, but I've always seen the valve covers were the same blue and seem to recall the air cleaner was the gold.

 

I found this online, looks to be the same engine and year. Hopefully it is right!

 

Well, that pic certainly looks good...

R-

 

That looks great! The Eldorado had gold painted valve covers. SO... with dual carbs, it must be an Eldorado. This is a nice project.

 

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I have seen worse, should be ok....

 

Question of the week:

Should I get the heads professionally rebuilt since I have them off, OR should I just replace the broken valve spring retainers and re assemble?

 

I would take them to a good machine shop, have them taken apart, cleaned, checked for cracks and get a price from them before proceding...

 

Im going to call up the machine shop tomorrow and see what they say.

 

Here are a few pics of some progress. Plans are to pull the drive train tomorrow, but in the mean time I have began the cosmetic resto of the accessories on the engine. The first pic shows the paint a lighter color of blue, but the color is more like the second pic.

 

My dad used to call that the Krylon rebuild! Looks good.

 

New Video

 

Another New Video

 

I`m enjoying this ! Great car , keep going !

 

Thanks! As money and time allow I will!

 

Some numbers off the pulled drivetrain:

 

Go man go.. beware the "might as wells". Ya know, since i've got it apart, I might as well...

Also, Contact George Brantingham at Republic custom engine in Garland. I know a guy who works there and would trust them. He could give you a quote on motor work. They're HAMBers.

 

liking this build ....

keep up the good work =)

 

Keep it going!!!

Thinking of having to pull the engine again just gave me chills.

 

Me too...!!! You and I both know it's something you want to do only ONCE in a build...but the kid is doing it right as far as I'm concerned...and like anything else, doing it correctly usually negates doing it twice...!!!

R-

 

My brother just acquired the twin to your car! He lives in Pottsboro, TX.
about 40 minutes north of you. His has not been started in 10 years.
I know a machine shop in Plano,TX. that knows how to do these engines
right. It is Michael Cain at Cains Automotive. I can get contact info for you.
He just did a set of '56 Olds heads for me complete with new hardened
valve seats, and he added a new set of spring retainers like you need.
I have a source for new valve parts. I have some Olds pushrods that
may be identical, as well as a set of lifters. You can have them free if
they will fit. Also have rocker arms. PM me.