Question for the engine Gurus

I am looking at a 4.1 liter Caddilac engine.
What is the value of this engine.
I am not looking for a dollar amount,rather the merits of the engine.
Were these engines good, bad, or indifferent.
Does the engines operate well, or are they dogs?
Thanks for your opinions, knowledge, and comments in advance.

Jim

 

The early ones were junk and Cadillac replaced a ton of them under warranty, because they had a tendency to let coolant get into the valley and seize the motor. My understanding is that the later ones are ok (small letters) as far as durability. They were dogs in the full size rear drive cars (I'm comparing them to the '78 425 I had).

Hope this helps...

Mutt

 

I walked into a buddy's machine shop one day to see one of those aluminum block 4.1 blocks sitting on the shop floor...all done and ready to be put back together. I was oooh-ing and ahhhhh-ing all over the thaing and my buddy says they're a complete piece-a-shit. He hated them and he had to machine them....

 

All 4.1's are just absolute*****!! Don't waste your time...

 

I had one in a 84 pimpmobile Coupe deVille. Started to rap at 28K, fixed under warranty. I beat the piss out of it since it couldnt get out of its own way but even so it did an honest 25 on the highway.

Sold it at 50K or so, still running fine.

Got to be decent in a 2000 lb roadster.

 

Aluminum block?
Cadillac obviously had more than one 4.1 L engine.
In around '82 when they had the fire in the 8-6-4 engine plant they put some Buick V6's punched out to 4.1L from the 3.8L Buick used in a few hundred Eldorados. They're***** too....The bores are so close together they blow head gaskets between cylinders. Amazingly, I see quite a few of them around still. One, I know, has a (built) 3.8L Buick in it though...

 

The one i am llking at is in a 1985 Eldorado. I have not seen it yet, but should in a day or two.
.
I know aluminum heads and engine blocks have been around for a while.I relly do not know what material it is. I did not think to ask
I appreciate your comments.
I will ask serious questions before plunking down cash.
Owner says the car runs and drives, and oil was changed regularly.

We will see.

again, thanks for all the replies.
Jim