New England Engine Rebuilder

[64Coupe]

Can anyone recommend a shop in Massachusetts or Rhode Island who can rebuild my 429?   Unfortunately we found a ton of coolant in the oil pan.  There was a hole in one of the Pistons from the same side that the head was leaking coolant into the pan.  For now we are going to replace the piston and head gaskets, put her back together and see how she run.   May get lucky but ultimately she will have to be rebuilt.  So Awe are Looking for someone in RI or MA who others have used to rebuild the engine.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lucas Feininger #15674]

I have heard that some NE members use J & M Machine in Southborough for rebuilding. I have not personally used them so consider this a lead and not necessarily a recommendation.

www.jandm-machine.com

[dplotkin]

Look no further than Eastwood's Auto Machine, in Somerville CT on Mass line just outside Springfield MA, 20 minutes north of Hartford.
http://www.eastwoodsautomachine.com/

Dan

[Rod Dahlgren #19496]

ASK the shop if they have rebuilt ANY 429 engines-- AND ALSO be aware of the variations of these engines from 1964 to 1967. They NEED to know what to look for!

[64Coupe]

Great.  Thanks.  Can you point me to a link that gives more info about the differences in the 64-67 429's that you speak about?

Much appreciated.

[Scot Minesinger]

Yes cannot emphasize the importance of experience with the 429 engine.  One of my friends had his 66 Caddy engine re-built.  The rebuilder replaced the pins that guide head to block with solid ones, and apparently they are hollow for oil return.  Luckily this was discovered somehow and the pins were replaced at the rebuilder's expense with correct ones. 

Also the bolts are a weird size I think in a few places, like a thirty-second of an inch in some cases rather than the normal sixteenth of an inch increment (or maybe a 16th of an inch in a larger size when you would expect an 8th of an inch increment).  If you use the wrong 8/16 th size and try to screw it in by force the female block threads are ruined. 

That one place looks promising, ask to learn who actually rebuilt 429 engines and if they remain employed there.  Hopefully you can speak with 429 customers too.

[64Coupe]

J & M Machine in Southborough has apparently rebuilt a few Cadillac engines.  They sent me some photos and looks pretty impressive.  Going to call them to get more info.  www.jandm-machine.com

Also found these guys...http://remanufactured.com/Cadillac_Engines.htm.  They are asking $3000 for a remanufacteted 429.

Rather have mine rebuilt.

Jason

[64Coupe]

See the photos J&M sent me.

[64Coupe]

More pics

[64Coupe]

Final photos

[35-709]

If you are looking for specific information about their 429 rebuilding expertise you should talk to them further (or look further) --- none of the Cadillac engines in your pictures are 429s, they all appear to me to be 390s (or older) and 472/500s.

[64Coupe]

Thanks. I plan on speaking with them tomorrow about their 429 experience.

I must say this forum is fantastic and the help and guidance the members have given me is amazing. 

I will continue to look for more materials that will help me better understand the differences in the 429 which in turn will better educate me on the questions to ask these people.

Thanks!