Need to rebuild 1973 Eldo 502 engne. Rebuilder recommendations wanted

[traveler2]

I live in New York, but if you've had yours rebuilt and are pleased with the results, please let me know who did the job for you, regardless of location.  My mechanic rsuggested Jasper in Indiana, but they seem like a general shop, not neccessarily familiar with the nuances of the Cad 502.  Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,
Richard Paley

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Richard,
There are good reputable shops all around the country, and I hope someone from your area will "chime in" about one near you.  Having said that, Marty at MTS is (in my opinion) just about as knowledgeable as anyone in the industry regarding these motors, and has (and currently is ) building them and shipping them around the world.  I might suggest you contact them and discuss what you want in the way of performance, stone stock to hi-po, and get some numbers. They seem to have an "in" with shippers so that might help as well.There contacts are;

Phone (760) 247-2533
Hours: M - Th    7:30 - 4:00 pt   /  Fr 8:00 - 12:00 pt
http://www.500cid.com/

Best of luck and we look forward to seeing your project on the roade.
Greg Surfas

[traveler2]

Many thanks, Greg.  I'll give them a call.
Richard Paley

[Scot Minesinger]

The extra cost to send it to CA should be worth the trouble. 

[TJ Hopland]

I have not had a complete engine done by 500cid.com but have bought parts from them and they were great to work with. 

I too have heard that they have some good deals with freight companies so their location is not really an issue. 

[Scot Minesinger]

Just read thru this forum and encounter numerous horror stories of shops that claim to be able to rebuild a 472/500 engine and cannot.  If you hire a trusted resource such as MTS or 500cid, then you should enjoy success and your main troubles will be shipping and the cost.  If you hire an inexperienced shop you will so wish you had done it right with a trusted resource.  It takes experience to rebuild these engines, for example sealing the intake manifold requires a full bead of RTV in all places that make the gasket seal (especially the corners), not just the 8 intake ports as stated in the intake manifold directions!  If it is not sealed properly the timing mark will flutter (making it difficult to set) and it will idle rough.  Experience (and MTS telling how to fix it) is how I know this intake gasket sealing issue.

I am working on a 72 Eldorado that received a valve job by another mechanic just recently.  Cannot set the timing due to fluttering and I know the likely cause is the intake manifold seal - need to confirm.  This problem was covered up by the previous mechanic setting timing 8' past factory and turning up idle speed.

[35-709]

500cid.com is the web address for MTS.  The 472/500 series of engines is all they do and they know their stuff.  My '73 Caribou has an MTS rebuilt stock 472, I'm in Florida.