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

Is this still an offer to do the work? Am putting together another 390 to replace the 331 in my 40. Will run a EDMUNDS 2x4 with early AFBs Custom ground Schneider cam/lifter with adjustable PRs Better valves and springs in 390 heads. 471 later on. If so, prices and order ship time? Have a 59 390 in my Roadster and love it. Have had the 331 in my coupe since 73.

 

I would be interested as well Mike.

 

Just a quick update on my 331 build: I installed the heads after decking with new composite gaskets and checked the preload of the lifters by marking them with a flat scribe with the lifter sitting on the heel of the cam. Then repeated the marking with the rocker shaft assembly removed / loosened.







The preload measured .100-.120”, which is a little much but reasonable assuming the motor has been rebuilt and machined at least twice.
I made some temporary shims of .048” material which brought the preload down to .030 -.050” which seems about right. .020-.060” is a number for SBC. Does that sound ok?




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I have done a lot of research and can't find any difference between the sbc lifters and Caddy lifters. I think the preload sounds right.

 

Bump for the new year

 

@MikeD some of the guys might be interested in the oil pump mod, if you wanna shoot me a price.

Root

 

I can't remember if I ever linked Colin's post on his build. If I did, well here it is again.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cad-390-build.1218691/

 

BTT

 

Here’s some of my 54 331 that I’m putting together for my model a. I found it on marketplace The next town over and have slowly been having it machines and collecting parts over the last six months. Hoping to have it running by the end of the summer. We’re using bbc rods and custom je pistons. I have the valve information written down somewhere if anyone wants.

I have read pretty much every caddy related thread on this forum and I remember someone cross referencing head bolts to arp, would anyone happen to have those numbers or specs?





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I know that there is a kit for the mains, but I don't know if there is one for the head bolts.

Cadillac 331-365-390 1949-'62
Main Bolt Kit
117-5001

I did find the rod bolts if you are interested.

Rod Bolt Kit
Cadillac 390 V8
Kit #: 117-6001

 

Would like head/valve/and spring info. Thanx Davey

 

Putting together a pair of 331 heads.
I'm looking to use SBC valves becuase of availability and price.
From initial measurements the Chevy valve is about 1/8" longer than the Caddy valve, which makes a mess of the rocker geometry.

What is the process for using Chevy valves? Reduce valve height? Shim rocker stands?

Thanks.

 

Anybody used ARP main bolt kit?

The ones I recieved are nothing like the originals!

Have I got the wrong bolts in the box or am I missing something?

 

I used them on my '62 390 with no problems. But, if that is a stock main cap bolt on the right I'd say the ARP bolt on the left might be a little long. The stock bolts that came out of mine measure 3-3/8" long...

 

Yes, ARP on left, stock on right.
I've tried them and they are too long for the main caps.

The ARP's are 1/2" longer with the extra length all being in the shank.

Spoke to ARP and they think the early motors have a different length main bolt to the later (390?) Caddy motors.

They are sending me out shorter ones to hopefully solve the problem.

Top marks to ARP so far for there customer service.

 

@42merc any pics of the way you set up your P/S?

 

Good question! Inquiring minds want to know! [emoji3]


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This is a little off the technical thrust of this thread -- but probably of interest to Cadillac-engined car owners. In 1972 Phil Stevenson drove this 55 Chevy wagon to Bonneville. It had a 390 Cad in it along with the "high performance" Jet-Away trans. It had a 6-pot manifold with four 97s that I supplied from my bucket of a dozen or so. This is a shot when we first arrived. He had two 18" racing tires on Halibrands to up the gearing. One, I guess was an old Indy tire, the other was an old Bonneville tire. They both had cords showing through, but were stamped "OK for 175 MPH". One was about 3/4" taller that the other. He wanted to run 150 MPH as he'd run in the low 120s at El Mirage previously, again driving it up there from his home in Rialto, California. Well, he didn't make 150, but made a best of 149 as I remember. He also won an award the SCTA used to have for the fastest car driven to the salt. That award was, in my opinion, later bastardized by competitors who unloaded outside of Wendover and "drove" to the salt. But that's another story.

 

Stan Back, thank you for the story and pictures!! [emoji41][emoji41][emoji41][emoji1303][emoji1303][emoji1303]


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does anyone know any specs on the valve train on the 1957 365 motor? i've been told that the early production number motors use a 9 3/4" push rod while the late production number uses a 9 9/16" push rod. does anyone have dimension on the lifters? or are they the same lengths? any info will be appreciated!!

 

Nice!

 

What are any of you guys that are running multiple carbs doing for PCVs? I have a 62 390, that for now is just taking up space in the garage, that has a factory PCV. I was told it was out of a California car. It goes into a plate under the carb now. I have time to decide what manifold I want to run, but I know I want multiple carbs, either 2 four barrels or some setup with Stromberg 97s.

 

I used an aftermarket finned aluminum valley cover that I milled and drilled a spot for a PCV valve. I then ran a vacuum line to the center carb on the Tri power. On the bottom side of the valley pan I riveted a baffle on.

 

Did you use a spacer with a vacuum port under the carb?

 

I used Rochester 2GC carbs , the base plate has a 1/4" vacuum port on the back.

 

I plan on running a spacer under mine and tapping just one for the PCV.

 

Doesn’t the PCV valve line just come from a port on the manifold?
I thought the vacuum port at the base of the carb was for vacuum advance.
Please excuse ignorance on this one.

 

What manifold/carb setup are you running? Forgive me if it’s already been said in the thread somewhere.

 

I have the Weiand 2x4 made for the small base wcfb carbs.


I am working with a fellow hammer to build a set of adapters and I will incorporate the fitting in that. If I run the later styled Edelbrock carbs, the have a 3/8” port built into them for that purpose.

Barrelnose, the ports for the vacuum are much smaller.