Classic/Antique Car Repair: 472cid V8 Rebuild, oil filler cap, cadillac fleetwood

Question
Brad,

I've been trying to come up with ideas as to how to address the 472cid V8 on my 69 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine. I managed to drive it for a year (off an on). From there, the engine has been temperamental and the Transmission let go.

I knocked out all of the basics -> Plugs, Wires, Oil Filled Coil, Water Pump, Smog Pump, Belts, Fuel and (what it seems like) a thousand miles of rubber hose. On warm days the engine would sputter and backfire while accelerating. I took it down to a local shop and it was determined that one or two (I can't remember) banks had low compression.

To be honest, I want to have it as reliable as possible. My brother and I have used it for Parades and short jogs around town. I'd like to remove the engine, place it on a stand and build it. I just do not know where to start. Bore and honing prices (from what I've read) can be in and around the price of a new block. I'd like to keep the original block since they only made a little less than 1200 Fleetwood 75's.

The idea of placing it on a stand would also make it easier to address the Donut Gasket and Swiss Cheese Header problems on both sides. Two different shops wanted to charge an arm and a leg to fix and said that the studs would probably shear and there's no way they could guarantee the work.

After taking a peak under the oil breather and oil filler cap it became apparent that there is a ton (and I mean a ton) of gunk/deposits/crud on top of the valves.

Where to begin with "Stand" building an engine. Tear down first, have the actual block diagnosed and than take it from there?

What to do?

Thanks,

Edward

Answer
These base engines were just about bullet proof. I would not recommend a full overhaul unless several things were happening. First, is the engine using oil? Is the oil pressure normal, that means 40 pound of pressure hot at road speed and at least 15 pound of pressure at idle hot? Is the engine knocking or noisy? If these things are ok then would just pull the cylinder heads in the chassis and get a good automotive machine shop to to the valves. The sputtering that you describe Let me know what the answer to these questions are.