Well, now that I am sticking with the 425 for a while... I have done some more tune up/ mods to the engine...

part of it is still cleaning the engine bay up.. typical FL car, the engine bay was rusty.....

Well, this is how it goes... my carb needs a rebuild, but when I rebuild it, the intake manifold will be real easy to get off, so I'll pull it, and put the modifed 472 intake manifold on along with new gasket etc... but to do the intake manifold, the support bars need to come off.... then the valve covers look like crap, so I want to pull them to repaint them, and since the support bars will be off, that'll be more easy... but if I am going to have the valve covers off, may as well install the new cam since I'll have to take the valve covers off when that happens if I am putting a new cam in, I will replace the water pump and fuel pump as preventative maintenace... see where i am going with this?

I am going to make a list of what I can come up with, and I want people to tell me what else I should do while I have this done, or that won't require much work, either to make the enigne look better, for performance gains or simply preventative maintenace.... Since the car runs good and is fully driveable now... I am not going to do any of this stuff, and simply for the next couple of months, save up money and when warmer weather, and Spring rolls around I'll buy everything at once (or already have it if I buy the stuff and hold onto it) and do it all...

over the weekend I got a new distrubutor cap and rotor, and wires.. the plugs were changed when I got the car.. 2.5k miles ago, so the plugs stayed... I also replaced the (origanal) PCV valve. Today I finally got the parts I need, and I installed my chromed Edelbrock open element air filter... looks nice, sound sgood, engine seems to like the free flowing filter too... the breather filter for the valve cover is coming tomorrow....

... Along with doing all the work listed, I will be pulling everything that is rusty, and sand it and painted it... I already did that with the stock air cleaner assembly (which isn't being used anymore) but the support bars, radiator sheilding and all the metal panels above it, alternator brackets etc... also need to be done as they have surface rust.... then I got thinking... at Advance today, I saw a chrome upper alternator bracket... so I already have the nice chrome open element air filter, when it is time to paint everything, if I can get the part in chrome, I'll just buy that... when I am done this engine is going to look real sharp... Cadillac Blue, chrome and black trim...

One last question... like i said.. my valve covers are a mix of what is left of Cadillac Blue, rust, greese, and some other colors... I have 3 options... I can simply pull them, clean them up, paint them and put them on.... not what I want to do.... I can also buy some nice chrome valve covers that would look great, especially since I will be chroming out the enigne.... but this is what I *really* want to do.... my stock valve covers are plain... now, I was wonder if there are any valve covers that fit the 425... that say "Cadillac" on them... I know in the 50's, the 331/390 etc... had "Cadillac" engraved in the valve covers... is there any stock valve covers I can get that say this? any after market valve covers that say Cadillac? better yet... if they were chrome and said Cadillac... that would be great.... but I would much rather the valve covers say Cadillac then Edelbrock or something... if any one knows.. please let me know, this has been bugging me....

Anyway, going back to the work, here is the list I came up with...

- remove support bars and various similar parts in engine bay, sand, paint semi-flat balck
- remove carb, rebuild, new fuel filter
- remove intake manifold, install modified 472 manifold, new gasket
- remove valve covers, replace/clean up, new gaskets... while off, remove everything needed to get to the cam....
- replace cam with performance cam from MTS (#10 series) also replace lifters/parts as needed
- replace water pump
- replace fuel pump
- already have new belts to go on

I think that is it... I had more on mind, but then I started poking around the MTS stie...

obviously this will tkae a little time.. but I think about $400 will be a very ncie start.. maybe I can even do this before the Spring.. maybe durring my Regents week end of January... has to deal with outside, if it is really cold... or snow on the ground, I don't want to be pulling my engine apart... as once this starts to come apart, I can't move the car around...

What does everyone else think? I am going to write this all down on paper and add as needed... I will ask more questions as time goes on.... but what else for appearance, performance, or preventative maintenace should I do? any help is apperciated :) and about the valve covers... can I get valve covers that'll fit my 425 and say Cadillac?

Thanks :)

I see those valve covers on ebay all the time, just search for them.

As far as taking off your old ones... i have no idea how that would trigger you to do a cam replacement :hmm: but if i were you i would keep it 100% original looking, its much cooler that way! Do a good job too, sandblast them or somethin then paint them.

If you have the intake and such off, your pretty "involved" , might as well take out the radiatior and grill so you can access all the pumps and pulleys. Take them off, buy a new water pump (they are cheap) paint it, take off the timing cover, get a new timing set (cheap also), paint the cover, take off all the pulleys and blast and paint them too.

So well i guess if you do all that, then you can replace the cam :rolleyes:

Oh yeah and have fun with that crank hub :nyanya:

Dude......get things done that need done and forget about the rest until you have the time/money to do it right.
Changing the cam is alot more involved than just removing the valve covers. Everything on the front of the engine, that's in front of the timing cover has to come off. And yes, the crank hub can be a B!TCH to get off. The timing gears have to be removed, the oil pan may need to be dropped to get the timing cover off and to do that, the engine may have to be raised.....lots to it.
When you get to the point that you're able...........drop a 472/500 in it.

So the cam isn't a good idea right now?

I am sticking with the 425 for a few years... until atleast I have time/money/space to get a 500 and do a full performance build on it...

... I want to do as much as practical on the 425 without removing the heads... I just figured since I would already be tearing into stuff, may as well go further.... that is just me though... I like to do as much as possible with what I have, then have to go and do it a 2nd time etc...

Either way, the carb needs to come off to be rebuilt, and I already have the 472 intake manifold... just going to bring it to the machine shop, do the modifications, then that'll go back on along with the rebuilt carb...

These valve covers on ebay have Cadillac script on them and will fit the 425?

I have decided to stick with the 425 for now.. because of time/money/space etc... but it isn't a dialy driver... I would like to do a mild performance build on it since there is nothing for the 4.9 in the '93 and the Olds is just a daily driver... it leaves the '79 as my fun car...

The cam might be a good idea, but it's quite a bit of work. There are chrome valve covers that don't say anything on them on ebay all the time, they're around $30 shipped IIRC. To my knowlege there aren't any that say Cadillac in raised lettering, however Schrader's "sells plates that adapt '49-'60 Cadillac Kettering valve covers (including Mooneyes & Offenhauser cast aluminum covers)." You're looking at a lot more money for those covers and the adapter plate.

Well, in all honesty... how much work are we looking at for a cam?

The thing is... this isn't a daily driver... this isn't a car I need to use... and it isn't even a back up car.. I have 2 other reliable cars as well... so down time isn't a problem.... and I know the biggest problem with these enignes are intake, cam and exhaust....

I helped my mothers fiancee repalce the timing chain in his '87 Brougham.... yeah it has the 307, but the idea is the same... it wasn't "that" bad... and I know that the next step from where we were was to pretty much replace the cam (well, had to remove valve covers etc...)

turned out it wasn't the timing... it was actually the distrubutor gear on the cam.... after we put the whole engine back together... he dosn't really like working on cars that much and wasn't going to tear into everything again, so he had the car towed to a shop... and, for the labor involved in the cam... it would have been pretty much the same for a new engine... so he ordered a brand new long block 307 and had that put in...

... but we had all the pullys off, the harmonic balancer off, timing gears/chain was replaced etc... I think I could bang that out myself in a couple of nice, sunny, free days :)

The thing is... I will be moving in July... living in an apartment going to school for 2 years... so there is no place to build up an engine.. after school, who knows where I will be... it won't be until my mid-late 20's.... when I buy my own house and property that I can really settle down and have a nice garage to work on things, everythig layed out.. and the time and space to build up an engine...

So, since I already have a perfect running, low millage 425... in the car... I figured I may as well stick with this... I don't want to remove the heads simply for the fact that it is opening up another can of worms... and I really can't see getting any head/valve work done o the 425, when I'll be doing the same thing to the 500 only a couple years later... a cam is a different story.. in comparison, less work and money etc...

This car is not going to be an all-origanal show car.. but something for me to have fun in.. low millage, great shape car... very solid drivetrain... there is actually aftermarket performance parts for it... something that I can cruise around in... surprise unsuspecting sports cars at the stop light, give a little show at the drag strip etc... just a fun car... if I wanted to make the car all stock and origanal.. I would get a new paint job, new vinyl roof, new interrior pieces etc... but.. that is what I like about this car.. has it's defects.. since it was a daily driver and all... but is the perfect foundation towards a nice mild performance build...

One day coming up when I have time I am going to stop at a couple of places and get a quote for a true dual exhaust system... only hard part is the cross member issue.. but i have a few ideas in mind...

Well, the next step is simple... tomorrow, pick up the little breather filter, since I don't like driving around with a hole in the valve cover... then after that it'll be installing the 472 manifold and rebuilding the carb... which I really want to do since it would make the car run alot better... I suppose I can do those 2 things along, and then later worry about the others as these are the most important right now...

If there are no valve covers that'll work... then I'll have to decide on my own if I want regular chrome or to spend some time with what I have... even getting the '50's style to work would be nice.. I like the way those say Cadillac... but... that could easily get into more money then I am willing to spend...

Also, the under hood insalation... where can I get that? I need to install a new one.... I wonder if Advance Auto is able to order them?

If you're up to the work, do the cam!

I really wouldn't worry about the under hood insulation. It's just there to quiet engine noise a bit.

I really wouldn't worry about the under hood insulation. It's just there to quiet engine noise a bit.

Actually once a mechanic told me that those plastic tabs that hold the insulation up under the hood are designed to melt during an engine fire, then the insulation is designed to drop and smother the fire before serious damage can occur. It also helps with noise as you mentioned.

Rick, I thought it was running tip top, last I read?

Well, the current insalation is all old, and.... I don't know how to describe it...looks like shaded carpet, pulls off if you pull it etc... looks like crap.... just something I would like to add....

Ralph.. I don't believe any of that... fabric materal will burn sooner then plastic will... and if it realy is supposed to smother the tire, then I havn't seen it happen once... it is for noise/heat...

I have a door panel remover tool that would be perfect for those plastic plugs...

I mention that becuase today while sizing up the threaded rod for my new air cleaner, I close the hood on the safety latch, then when I opened it, the rod had when thru the insalation and awhile bunch of debris fell... there is probably old mice nests and stuff on the other side... not what I want above my engine....

With the cam.. I am leaning towards it... but, going back to the origanal thread.. can anyone add anything?

Also... she RUNS great now.... but this is the start on my super sleeper projct...

my New Years Eve night, I left my uncles place because it was boring, went home, got a flash light... and from 10-12:30... for the new year and everything, I was working on my car :) just a flash light.. replaced the carp and rotor, then the wires (like I said, plugs were already done) and made a real stupid mistake with wires that I'll fix some day when I have more patients (why does 1 out of 8 spark plugs have to the the biggest B!TCH to get at!?! put the new PCV valve in, as going to change the belts until I realized I had to take more things off, at that time i heard fire works go off and decided it was enough for one night...

she idles so smooth now, you don't feel the enigne running at all in the car, and it dosn't rock much either... used to visually shake alot, much more smooth now....

I still have the exhaust leak from the left manifold... and the car is real loud because when I drained the cataylst beands, I never got the hole in the cat welded up... I am used to it, but I would really like to get someone to weld that up, then I'll still have the exhaust leak, but that's ok... running strong though, I met up with some friends in town today, they wanted to go for a quick ride, so we did... left a few marks at the neighboring towns high school parking lot :) before that I washed the car and then took the tru way back... engine got a nice excercise and cleaned out

Are there any headers that'll fit my '79? I remember reading that the block huggers wont fit... and MTS has headers for '68-'76 DeVille... or are the stock manifolds good enough for the mild build on this enigne I am doing?

I do also want to get the nice dual exhaust in... atleast something like that will be able to be used with a new enigne etc...

Ralph.. I don't believe any of that... fabric materal will burn sooner then plastic will... and if it realy is supposed to smother the tire, then I havn't seen it happen once... it is for noise/heat...


Well as far as I know it was made from a fire resistant material, and still is? Also from growing up in my Dad's Gulf service station in the 1970's, my DAd would warn me to not breath the material while under the hoods of customers cars, etc. because it could have been made from asbestos. One time I was knocking the dust from it on a car and I think that's when he warned me.

Believe what you want I suppose. We could always ask BBob.

Actually Ralph that makes a lot of sense, although I don't know how well a sheet of pieces of fiberglass would smother a fire.

After looking at it a little closer, it doesn't look like the oil pan has to be dropped.
I'd just hate to see you get in over your head with this and end up with a car you can't drive because the engine is tore apart.
If more cam in the 425 is what you want.......do it. Just make sure you think it all the way through before you start it. Know exactly what all has to be done, what parts you're gunna need, how you're gunna approach it and how much it's gunna cost.

Look for the insulation that looks like Dynamate, but has a foil type surface fitted to it. Then pull that old crap outta there and install this stuff. It's got a adhesive backing so it's just a matter of cutting it to size, peeling the film from it's backing and fitting it as needed. I don't know if you can find it locally but places such as JEGS, SUMMIT or whatever sell it in rolls for like $30. It's the stuff al the hot rodders use and it makes for a very clean look. Remember to clean the surface good with alcohol before applying.

See Ya,
Phil

yeah, I need to see what to do... even if it was normal insalation with the push clips...

Dynamax also has under hood insalation..... but if I can get a regular insalation that has Cadillac inprinted on it, that would be nice.... the hood bare dosn't look good IMO....

Anyway... since this thread came back... I decided to stick with the factory valve covers, they will get pulled and repainted in Cadillac Blue.... the cam is a go also...

Now my question, from MTS I have 2 options...

for $200 I can buy a brand new cam

for $120 I can buy a regrind which is to the same specs as their new cam...

what is the better way to go? the regrind is alot cheaper... but is it as good? keep in mind this will be getting replaced by a nicely built 500 one day, and I am just going to have some fun with the 425... so I was thinking a stock regrind done to the same specs as their new cams would be fine.... any opinions?

If you're going to get rid of the motor at some point in the fairly near future...go with el cheapo. They offer any kind of warranty on it?

Nightwolf

There are a couple things to think about
If you are installing a new camshaft and i dont care who makes it or what the specs are you will need to install new valvesprings and at a minimum locks.
That will add between $80-$120 to your project.
You will also need a new timing chain and the only one worth a dam is $115 give or take a couple bucks.
Ive seen the elcheapo chains from dyna gear and a few other brands split the gear on a basically stock rebuild.
On to camshafts.
Regrinds are a touchy subject and i just started offering them to customers because they are trying to make something last a lil while till they can afford to do a complete build.
If you decide to do a regrind make sure its a single pattern and that it is close to the original cam specs as far as timing events go or they will have to remove too much of the basecircle to get enough lobe out of it and it will not last.
One more thing ...buy quality lifters
Most of the less expensive lifters out there unless checked will wipe the lobes off a camshaft in short order.
Good luck with your project and post pics of your modified intake manifold
Later on JW

Thanks for the info!

getting the other things is not a problem... and the timing chain would be done anyway.... just preventative maintenace to me...

the 425 will be in the car for a couple years though, in Augest I am moving down to FL, and starting school in November... I'll be living in an apartment, there will be no time/money for me to build up an engine...

I don't know alot about cams.. ITO how much one can be reground and such, which is why I posted the question... if saving the extra $80 is worth it...

then I was thinking about just getting the new cam, and using it in the 500 when the time comes... but... think I will want to go with a more performance-orientated cam with that... this cam here seems to be the best bet on a mild 425 using the stock TH400 etc...

I had the intake manifold in the trunk of the Olds to take to the machine shop... but havn't got around to it yet, now it is back in the house... no rush though, as I am not going to switch it over until all the snow melts, and it gets warm outside... ugh... I hate NY winters :)

here's some info for ya......read the post by Terry.



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