Hi guys I own a 67 Deville convertible I have own this car for about 15 years and never have really enjoyed it because it needed some work on the engine so I finally was able to save some money and take it to a shop to get some work on it and things that the car needed
1. new battery
2. rebuilt the carburetor
3. replaced a broken bridge and a rocker arm
4. replaced the alternator
5. flushed the engine
6. changed the belts
7. replaced some gaskets that were bad
8. replaced the fuel filter
the car starts up but it does not run well two years a go I took out the transmission and had it rebuilt so I now have a rebuilt trans and a motor that well doesn't run very well the mechanic tells me its the heads that need work and gets all technical with me so far I paid him a little over $2000 for the work done thats not including the transmission that cost me over a $ 1000 my mechanic tells me the engine needs to come out and get taken to a machine shop to get some work on but I'm scared this will run me thousands of dollars I really don't know if I want to spend that money on this engine I want to be able to take this car on the road anywhere and not worry about it not starting right if I drive the car 30 minutes and park it and try to start it back up it struggles to crank over I have to let it cool down I'm thinking up grading to a new updated engine something that can give me better gas mileage but I have no idea what kind of engine to look into can anybody recommend something thanks here in the windy city in IL.

 

With the starter dragging ...might be the starter you could get yours rebuilt or quality replacement a cheapie may not do the job.

Engine another Cadillac V8 425,429,472, or 500 would be best, no fabrication required .Any other engine will require mounts to be fabricated Larger Oldsmobile, Buick, or Pontiac V8 would be second, Chevrolet would be last. Transmission won't bolt to chevy engine without adapter. There are companies ( Jasper for one) that will rebuild your original engine and warranty it. One little know thing about the early engine is the cylinder bores are not uniform is size each piston is selectively fit to the cylinder and there were maybe 20 different pistons. Over-boring for new piston is likely. Occasionally heads will seize to dowel pins and won't want to come off. Engine replacement is going to be pricey, Unfortunately I don't have a source for you. Cadillac LaSalle Club may have a source.

 

[QUOTE=slowroll;53703]With the starter dragging ...might be the starter you could get yours rebuilt or quality replacement a cheapie may not do the job.

Engine another Cadillac V8 425,429,472, or 500 would be best, no fabrication required .Any other engine will require mounts to be fabricated Larger Oldsmobile, Buick, or Pontiac V8 would be second, Chevrolet would be last. Transmission won't bolt to chevy engine without adapter. There are companies ( Jasper for one) that will rebuild your original engine and warranty it. One little know thing about the early engine is the cylinder bores are not uniform is size each piston is selectively fit to the cylinder and there were maybe 20 different pistons. Over-boring for new piston is likely. Occasionally heads will seize to dowel pins and won't want to come off. Engine replacement is going to be pricey, Unfortunately I don't have a source for you. Cadillac LaSalle Club may have a source.


Thanks for responding I didn't think anyone would I really like the car it is a head turner and stay in the Garage a lot but I said to my self this car has done enough time in the garage it has to come out so I hope to take off the started and send it to get rebuilt I did take it off to get load tested and it pass inspection but sometimes when I try to start the car it sounds like I have a dead battery and it ticks and cranks at the same time that usually happens when I drove the car for 30 minutes and park it and try to start it. al google Cadillac LaSalle Club thanks for your help if that doesn't work I was thinking of dropping in a Chevy Engine but something that would work with my transmission would be nice

 

Thanks for responding I didn't think anyone would I really like the car it is a head turner and stay in the Garage a lot but I said to my self this car has done enough time in the garage it has to come out so I hope to take off the started and send it to get rebuilt I did take it off to get load tested and it pass inspection but sometimes when I try to start the car it sounds like I have a dead battery and it ticks and cranks at the same time that usually happens when I drove the car for 30 minutes and park it and try to start it. al google Cadillac LaSalle Club thanks for your help if that doesn't work I was thinking of dropping in a Chevy Engine but something that would work with my transmission would be nice

 

You need some diagnostics done to help figure out what needs to be done to the engine.
You may need a valve job. That regrinds the valves and the valve seats in the head for proper sealing. You may need new piston rings. You may need both. There may also be other items that need attention.
The only way to know is to start testing.
The first thing I would do is get/borrow a compression tester and get readings on all the cylinders. There are youtube.com videos that show you how to do this.
You can buy compression tester at almost any auto parts store. They aren't very expensive. You may even be able to rent it depending on the store.