Hot Rods Let's talk Cadillac 331's, 365 and 390's

42Merc is correct; the Studebaker rockers are 1.5:1 while the late Cad rockers are 1.6:1 ratio. To run the adjustable Stude rockers on the Cad will require custom pushrods to get the length and ball ends right. Also dimpled valve covers or custom valve cover spacers for clearance, or finding a vintage set of Edelbrock or Hildenbrant covers. A real pain, but if you need adjustable rockers you'll just have to do it. A couple of other options would be finding a set of usable McGurk or other aftermarket rockers, or see what Rocker Arms Unlimited could do for you.

Regardless what you do, you'll want to be damn sure you have the rocker shafts installed correctly...

 

I guess my question is this. Do I really need adjustable rockers? On a hyd cam, it would seem to be a moot point. I plan on rebuilding everything to new specs, so is this something I need?

I don't like the looks ofthe dimpled covers, but that's about all you can find these days. I could chrome the original ones I suppose.

 

Anyone with a 1960 Cadillac who wants the owners manual micro fiche... I have one reel.... free come pick it up...

 

I have no idea what the base circle is on a stock cam.
Found this in the archives.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cadillac-390-cam-question.658314/

 

What did Schneider say ? I'm curious too. I have no answer.

 

They said I would need to run the adjustable rockers, no explanation. Maybe to address the pushrod length difference?

 

Or maybe pick a different cam so you can run Cad rockers. My son had a cam ground here and uses Cad rockers, sounds good too! http://www.deltacam.com/

 

Johnboy, I would but I don't know where the line is drawn. At what point are adjustable rockers required? Any idea on the specs for your son's cam?

Update****Just got off the phone with Delta and they are pretty helpful. He said that the manufacturer that used to supply all the cams has quit making Caddy stuff altogether, so you will either get NOS or have your core reground. He said the max lift would be in the .450-460" range. He said he would then take the number of the base circle removed and you just have custom pushrods built. He only gets $72.50 to regrind your cam.

 

I'll see if he still has the cam card, it's not too big and has nice lope to it so you know it's not stock. Pick up the phone and call Delta and ask some questions, they're good guys.

 

I did call them after your post.

I am perplexed at what he said though. He said the max duration is about 270* and the lift is .450". I see multiple companies advertising at 280* and .480" with a 1.5 rocker.

The later Caddy is 1.6, which would work out to .512".

 

I'll have to see what they did on the cam card, I seem to remember my son saying something about a nos blank to grind. I know his motor is a 62.

 

I remembered this article and found it, have you seen this? http://www.hotrod.com/articles/building-a-torquey-1958-cadillac-el-dorado-triple-carb-v-8/ I know the kid built his for max torque, with a 5 speed in a ad chev truck.

 

Another Caddy thread.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/331-cadillac-v8-extra-grrrrunt.510405/

 

Yes, I have read this multiple times. Only article out there unfortunately. I wish someone would do a performance build in one of the magazines. We all know you can get 500hp out of a 406 on pump gas.

 

So, can a guy do away with the clunky valve retainers/oil seals on the 390 heads? Maybe go to a lighter retainer and cut the guides for a more modern seal?

 

Here's another Cadillac thread. Kinda bummed though. Read post#6.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ay-2008-anyone-have-it.1060661/#post-12037292

 

After much research and deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that I am possibly getting out of the Cadillac business. I have spent countless hours on the phone with folks all over the country and I don't think the return on my investment is there. I can't get what I was hoping for performance wise. It has been a learning experience.

But, knowing how I am, I'll probably get sellers remorse and end up building it anyway. Depends on the mood.

 

No biggie, I just wanna go a little more towards the performance side of things.
I am looking into a Nailhead now. That was the original plan and I got mesmerized by the Caddy. A lot more parts availability for go fast stuff.

 

I think #25 is incorrect. The block dimensions are the same from '49-'62 and the intake manifolds can interchange. The '63 390 and the later 429 were a different design altogether.


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There's several things in the article that look to be wrong. Inthat same paragraph #25, it talks about a 4" stroke. Nope, 3-7/8".

 

The main reason I kinda thought about abandoning the Caddy was this article we talked about previously.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ay-2008-anyone-have-it.1060661/#post-12037292
I had heard about this article forever and finally got to read it. They did all the mods I had planned and lost like 40hp and quite a bit of torque over a bone stock rebuild. That too the wind right out of my sails. I wonder if anther shop would have had the same results? The Torquey 365 build was basically the same build and their HP stayed the same and the torque went up. I would hope that running the 2x4 and a later style carb, like the Holley 390's would net a better result.

I hate to abandon it.....talk me into it.

 

Breathing was always a problem with the Caddies of that vintage. One of the first things rodders always did was install an aftermarket intake.

Later Caddies featured a low hood line requiring a manifold that was really squashed down. OK for torque, but not for RPM.

My dad had a stock 331 and the valves would float much above 3,000 RPM due to the low spring pressure.

I'm correcting all these things on my build, we'll see how I do. A lot of Caddies were raced back in the day, even in dragsters, so there must be some secrets waiting to be rediscovered!


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I have been trying to find "That guy" that knows, loves and breathes old Caddys from back in the day. I have started asking the old racers around here, but no luck yet.

 

At least you created an awesome thread or two with tons of good info for people rodding with Caddies. Looking foreword to your Nailhead threads! I think you are going to make some money back reselling that manifold and other stuff.

 

Thanks. Glad it is useful.

As far as parts go, it is so hard to come by, I hate to sell any of it.

I'll probably buy the nailhead I have located for future projects, even if I build the Caddy.

 

there's an alard racing site with some good caddy tech from way back. don't remember what it is right off but I'll do some looking

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ha. thanks google. not sure if this sways you any but here it is. I'm a big fan of cad ohv power

http://www.allardregister.org/blog/2013/5/23/19-cadillac-engine-tuning-tips.html

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If you just use one with just a little bit more cam, for the torque it produces, set up the rpm ranges to use it in a light weight old rod, it is tough to beat for nostalgia! And fun, and gets with the program. If on the other hand you want to make more of a race motor then I agree there are other alternatives.