[Thizzmobile]

I have the HT-4100 engine in my 1987 Fleetwood and it's my understanding that the engine has aluminum heads which once overheated can warp and then crack. Is there anything I can do to help prevent this? An engine swap is likely not plausible as I have no automotive skill as of yet

 

[Byrdman]

Is there anything I can do to help prevent this?/QUOTE]

yes. give it a good detail, then put it up for sale. I've never encountered a friend who loved the HT4100.

 

[ehall]

It has aluminum block, steel heads, aluminum intake. The block uses steel sleeves for the pistons, and is flooded with coolant, which minimizes heat-related problems. The 4.5 and 4.9 are the same design with slight differences (improvements) in the castings. Northstar is also similar. Lots of modern cars are similar. Just keep up on the fluid changes, keep an eye on the intake gasket, don't let it overheat (ever).

 

[Thizzmobile]

Correction . . aluminum block and cast iron cylinder heads

Is there anything I can do to help prevent this?/QUOTE]

yes. give it a good detail, then put it up for sale. I've never encountered a friend who loved the HT4100.

Is it really that bad?

 

[Byrdman]

can't speak first hand. I'm only saying what I've heard from personal friends. V8-6-4 and HT4100 were not good times for Cadillac.

 

[basscatt]

Correction . . aluminum block and cast iron cylinder heads

Is it really that bad?

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without a doubt -
the HT 4100 was absolutely the worst engine Cadillac EVER produced -

most of them died an early death -

the only thing you can do to prolong it's life
is PRAY - cross your fingers - and follow the maintenance schedule -

regular fluid changes -

and regular "pre-flight" inspections
will go a long way catching a problem early -

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can't speak first hand. I'm only saying what I've heard from personal friends. V8-6-4 and HT4100 were not good times for Cadillac.

=========================
V8-6-4 and HT4100 were not good times for Cadillac

the 368 is a 472 - with smaller diameter pistons -

the problem with the 368 - 8-6-4 was the electronics - NOT THE ENGINE -
pull one wire - and you had a reliable fuel-injected motor -

the 8-6-4 was only used for one year -

however - the 368 was used for several years -
with a plain old Quadrajet 4 barrel carburetor -
in the rear wheel drive cars - commercial chassis - hearse and ambulance -
and would last hundreds-of-thousands of miles -

 

[Ranger]

The HT4100 had trouble getting out of it's own way.

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the HT 4100 was absolutely the worst engine Cadillac EVER produced -

most of them died an early death -

They where mercy killings.