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Is installing a new Northstar engine worth it?

Started by pinkcaddy96, March 26, 2014, 08:25:02 PM

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pinkcaddy96

A few years ago I sold my 1998 Tuxedo Collection Deville to a friend of mine.  It was a peach with only 107K miles on it.  It was perfect in every way.  No scratches no nothing.  I saw my friend yesterday and he had my old caddy on a car hauler.  His friend had blown the motor on it.  Wanting to know if this car is worth the $$$ to drop a new motor into it.  I know the complete history on the car.  Thank everyone in advance for their help!

76eldo

Are you anywhere near PA?

I have a GREAT Northstar specialist for you.

Better to fix yours if it's only gaskets.  Buying a used one is not a good move.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

pinkcaddy96

I live outside Louisville, KY.  Not a good idea to get a rebuild.  I had a mechanic tell me $1550 for a 23 hour job plus the cost of the motor.

76eldo

If the rest of the engine is sound, the $2500 or so to do the head gaskets may be worth it.  A used engine is a bag gamble.

My guy is in Limerick, PA and gets cars shipped to him from all over, but that's an added cost too.

These are becoming the NEW HT4100.  High performance version.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Glen

I thought that pinkcaddy96 meant that the engine threw a rod or something equally catastrophic.  Not simply blowing a gasket.  If the block is damaged he will need another one to rebuild.   

If it was me I would be looking to the “friend” to help cover the cost of this repair.  What was he doing that he blew the engine? 
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

Agreed with Brian - the cost of a head gasket job would be far less - assuming the rest of the engine is serviceable.

The labor cost of $1,500 of a swap sounds rather excessive to me.

The sad truth is that you could just buy another mint 1998 Cadillac with 107,000 miles for less than the cost of a new engine alone.

In my view, it's not worth putting more money into a car than it'll be worth when finished.
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute