I am pretty new to rebuilding engines and was planning on rebuilding my 365 in my 1956 Cadillac, I have been looking around and reading a lot and have seen a few "complete engine rebuild kits", with new valves, springs, pistons and the whole lot. I was planning on having any machining needed done at a shop and then rebuilding the engine myself from that point. My question is are those all-in-one kits good quality or am I better off buying individual pieces as I need them? Thanks for the help.

I am not knowledgeable enough to give you an answer but one of our members (I am embarrassed to say I can't remember who) is really into Caddy engines. Hopefully he will come along and give you advice.

Here is a link to some info he placed in the Wiki:

http://crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki...ngine_Knowledge

I think it was Doc who posted that.

As far as engine kits, just remember, you get what you pay for.

I could be wrong, but I kinda doubt you will find a "kit" for your engine. Most of the big engine parts suppliers developed these kits for all the common engines. It's going to take some research, but I'd guess you are going to have to do yours piece by piece. And, you may come out better in the long run. Good luck

thanks for the link, I'm going to have to check out some of Doc's stuff, looks like he knows what he's talking about.
I have found a kit for my engine, I'm just a little apprehensive about shelling out a couple of grand for a kit that's not very good quality. I'd much rather spend the time/money and do it right if it's going to give me a better product, I was just thinking that these kits might put together the same things that I would buy separately and make it a little easier.

Before you order a kit..............take your block in and see what machining it may need. If you have to bore it, you will need bigger pistons. If the crank needs turning, you will need undersize bearings..........You get the idea.

In my opinion, with an uncommon engine like that, the machine shop should order the parts to match the machining..........even if you want to put it together afterwards.

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Here is a great supplier of obsolete engine parts - and they do have a kit for a '56/365 Caddy:

http://www.egge.com/

....and for the engine.....

http://www.parts123.com/PartFrame.a....com&TITLE=Egge

Dave

Thanks for the egge link, I've heard about them before and just forgot about them. As suggested, I think I'm going to take the block in and see what all it needs before I do anything. I don't think it will need much since it's a relatively low mileage engine (50,000 miles) but you never know. Thanks again for the help, this is a great place for information.