BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Been a while since I've posted here! The Eldorado is coming along - engine is out, and is soon to be studded. (I'll take lots of pics!) While it's out, I'm changing the valve cover gaskets, water pump/crossover gaskets, exhaust manifold/flange gaskets, and all the hoses I can see. Also being swapping out the alternator, as it's about 5 years old. Did I miss anything? Feel free to give suggestions! The pipes to/from the heater core are in shady condition, and I think this would be a good time to change them. I can't seem to find them anywhere online! Is there a known source (other than the dealer!) for these? Hope everybody has been well! I'll keep you updated on the progress! -Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Been a while since I've posted here! The Eldorado is coming along - engine is out, and is soon to be studded. (I'll take lots of pics!) While it's out, I'm changing the valve cover gaskets, water pump/crossover gaskets, exhaust manifold/flange gaskets, and all the hoses I can see. Also being swapping out the alternator, as it's about 5 years old. Did I miss anything? Feel free to give suggestions! The pipes to/from the heater core are in shady condition, and I think this would be a good time to change them. I can't seem to find them anywhere online! Is there a known source (other than the dealer!) for these? Hope everybody has been well! I'll keep you updated on the progress! -Scott The original alternator could be better than any replacement. Mine lasted for 18 years 175.000 miles and probably will last more. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 The original was replaced a while back. I think it made it to about 80k miles. The current alternator is causing a moderate "flicker" in all the lights at idle. It's done that for a couple years now, but I have that gut feeling it's on the way out. May as well swap it while it's easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Just make sure that the new alternator is not a run of the mill rebuild, use an AC DELCO rebuilt or new, we have had LOTS of problems with the pep boys level of rebuild Take a look at your HVAC cover to see if its brittle, if it is, now is the time to change it. Are you changing the heater pipes that run behind the engine by the firewall? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 "The pipes to/from the heater core are in shady condition, and I think this would be a good time to change them. I can't seem to find them anywhere online! Is there a known source (other than the dealer!) for these?" How about "Bending" up a set using stainless tubing? rek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 The new alternator is an AC-Delco. I'm pretty neurotic about keeping everything OEM whenever possible. The HVAC cover is in great shape! (No idea how that happened!) Exactly the pipes I'm speaking of - the "2 steel pipes" that run along the firewall. Can't find them on rockauto, GMPartsdirect, etc. Seems to be one of those sneaky hidden parts! Know of any good sources? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Not a bad idea with the stainless tubes! I suppose that's my last resort solution if it's a NLA or stupid-expensive part! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 "The pipes to/from the heater core are in shady condition, and I think this would be a good time to change them. I can't seem to find them anywhere online! Is there a known source (other than the dealer!) for these?" How about "Bending" up a set using stainless tubing? Stainless will be expensive I bought mine at www.gmotors.com their prices are always better than the dealer, request the internet prices. I would replace them, Ken had his leak and mine were VERY rusty when I changed mine Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thank you very much for the suggestion - I just sent them an email! Mine are very rusty too, and they don't look easy to change once the motor is back in place! May as well change them now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thank you very much for the suggestion - I just sent them an email! Mine are very rusty too, and they don't look easy to change once the motor is back in place! May as well change them now... I changed mine when I dropped my carriage to do my TCC and ISS sensors in the tranny and I had the crossover out at the time and they were still a biach to get in and out... I love gmotors.com, they have always been good to me Tell them you are from caddyinfo.com, it helps us as a group, to support them Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I ordered the heater pipes, and a few random missing bolts from gmotors - they were great! I have to call them later today for a couple more things - I'll let them know I was referred from CaddyInfo! Thanks again for the referral - you saved me some big money on the parts! (Beer is on me if we have a group get-together!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I ordered the heater pipes, and a few random missing bolts from gmotors - they were great! I have to call them later today for a couple more things - I'll let them know I was referred from CaddyInfo! Thanks again for the referral - you saved me some big money on the parts! (Beer is on me if we have a group get-together!) Glad to help, a get together would be nice, but I would be driving my wife's Monte Carlo right now, Cant wait to see your stud job Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I would look at the oil pump; in the old days the oil pump was a throwaway part like the clutch -- you see it, you change it while you're looking at it. Perhaps not so much anymore, but it's a thought. If you have the starter off, look at the brushes. It's like the alternator -- designed to last the life of the car -- but I'm not above putting new brushes on one if they look like they are at all used up. There's all the little stuff that you replace for a "new" engine with a decade or so of trouble-free life in front of it -- plugs, wires, thermostat, water pump, etc. but I'm sure all that stuff is already on your list. -- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data -- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I agree Jim, but the guru believed that it was a lifetime part, and KHE echos his sentiment. Its a Gerotor style pump, described nicely here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerotor That said, I have had low oil pressure at idle, if I were to do this case half/head gasket job, I would be putting mine under a microscope and checking it out.. even though I believe my low oil pressure is cause by the case half seal. Interesting design Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Here's my list of things being replaced while doing the HG: Alternator, all major hoses, surge tank, heater pipes, thermostat and gaskets, cam cover gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, all oxygen sensors, and the stabilizer bar bushings. The car had the case-half seal replaced a long time ago, and has no issues with oil pressure. At 120k miles, not a drop of oil can be found on my garage floor. (Although, there were plenty of signs that the cam covers were leaking.) My mechanic is being extremely complete, and asked me if I wanted to change the the starter, crank-angle sensors A and B. I declined both, as they are working fine. If they DO fail in the near future, they're not difficult to access with the engine in the car. If I can get a few more years out of them, all the better. Anything else I'm forgetting before we button it back up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Has your blower motor been replaced yet? If it is the original design with the 1/2" inertial plate, it would be a good time to replace it with the newest design. You will need to order the fiberglsss heat shield as it is no longer included with the new motor. I didn't replace mine when I had my engine out and a year and a half later, it puked... it would have been a 5 minute job with the engine out. As it turned out, it wasn't that bad of a job to replace with the engine in the car so it is entirely up to you. I know parts prices can add up quickly. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonETC97 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Blower motor was replaced about 4 years ago, with the updated assembly. Good call on that one though - I hear it's a PITA project! Once I have some income again, I'd like to invest in the suspension. All new struts, bushings, and wear items. After that, that car is pretty much "restored." I figure I'll wait on doing the paint, body, and interior (really just the driver's seat, and other 'minor' things - it's in great shape!) once I can retire the Eldorado from daily-driver to garage-queen status. Paint and body still look great for it's age, but there are plenty of dings, and some poor-quality paint work from earlier repairs. As you can tell, I'm hoping to never part with this car! While it may never be a high-dollar collectible, it's still going to be 'classic' one day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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