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

PVC is connected to the rear of the valley cover. On earlier Cad engines, the vent tube connected there.

 

I'm going to try and check out some dimesions this week, But I was hoping some one around here has done this before.

I saw that @RaygunUK mentioned having an adapter made on post #37 on his thread here:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ac-with-390-heads-engine-build.1081922/page-2

I was going to message him, but he hasn't been on since Dec. of 2021, so I'm not sure if he'd get it.

 

So, I was perusing the Johnson HYlift ctalog and basically what I figured out was they used the same lifter in the Buick 364 in 1957-58. Also used in the 365 and 390 and 429 Cadillacs up until 1967. I wasa hoping to see that it was exactly the same as the SBC, but apparently there is enough difference that they have a different part number. It has a diameter of .842" and a total height of 2.00"

The Part number is A-0846 if you want to take a look.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://toplineauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Lifter-Application-Catalog.pdf

 

Those (A-0846) are the lifters I'm using in the the 390 in my '40. Now if someone in the U.S. would make new lifters for the 49-55 331's...

 

I got new lifters with my cam from Schneider.

 

Lifters for a 331? Were they made in the U.S.?

 

Yes, for a 331. I guess I assumed that Schneider made them, but I'm not sure. Maybe give them a call.

 

I’m in need of a set of 365 main bearings 010 for my rebuild, no one has any in stock. If anyone has a set they can part with please let me know.
Thanks, Joe

 

Did you try Terrill machine in Texas?

 

Yes I ordered all the other parts for the rebuild through him.

 

Egge lets me put a set of those in the cart. It doesn't say if they are in stock or not. Maybe check with them?
Caddy Daddy says they will be back in stock in November.
I got my stuff from Falcon Global, while they are out of stock, they were great to deal with, so give them a call and see when they will have them back in stock.

 

I'm slowly assembling my engine on my lunch breaks.
I put the heads on and I was going to put on the rocker assemblies, so I could measure for pushrods.
My machinist cleaned up and reassembled my rocker assemblies. I believe that he reassembled them incorrectly because I am unable to install them with the notches in the shafts facing down and towards the center like they are supposed to be.

I can reassemble them so the notches face the correct way, but now I'm paranoid. Haha.
So, can anyone tell me, when the rocker shafts are in the correct position, are the slots cut in the shaft supposed to be facing down towards the head?

 

Some aftermarket rocker arm shafts do not have the notches, so you have to figure it out.
If they have notches, I believe they have to go down and towards the inside of the engine. Be damn sure that these things are correct before starting the engine; pre-oiling it with the valve covers off will tell for sure! Both Cad engines I've had have been screwed up by unknowing previous owners/assemblers (chevy owners). The 331 just cost me new shafts and rockers; the 390 cost me new shafts, rockers and valves.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202810580645?fits=Make:Cadillac&hash=item2f3873dea5:g:ZsYAAOSwbXpduMQW&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwNvBu8KUyJhmEBaPARcjz1KMqmXP/gS/fwVOdkkzC3tv0aXb5iivxrdY7fnPuOcTnKDtjBH4UqG2oMoWF23iz9wry4hSgEL8NEMrgURFnvCQ1sa7dFJtR3NcnYx/BLJEqByJVwDmsbtJA0FUzuThyQj/efKBc/ovkHvD2MctzJ/u86xZ+ogYbglwPn8UjGLsEpZB/IsmK0xJpgW2TvqOkS0cf6mK5wNa7wc5KnUPu5ETXfSdFIqND0Zqqc57T5HdFw==|tkp:Bk9SR-it6oicYg


Anyone used one of these yet? Not expecting a lot out of these but….

 

Yes sir. No issues so far. I did replace the wires only because I needed the bendy boots. Mine has the female cap.

 

I just grabbed one for reference.

 

I have one of these distributors that I made my own wires with. No issues so far

 

Anyone out there have a 365 crank pulley they would sell? Can be 2 or 3 groove, mine is rotted from debris. 331 and 390 are different.
OD is 7”
ID is 1.750
Total depth is 2.50 for the 2 groove not sure on the 3 groove.
Thanks, Joe

 

I might have one but I won’t be home till monday to look and make sure

 

Thank you

 

Does anyone know the modifications/machining needed to make the oil filter system a full pressure system on a 331? I want to add a remote spin on filter and do away with the “oil leak” low pressure system they came with. Thanks

 

Be interesting to see any answers on this, not that I know shit but, never seen anything on this topic on any forum, studied a block around the oil pump area and galleries along while ago and can’t see how it could be done without major surgery. I’m happy to be wrong though.

 

My 1960 390 heads are at the machinist to get hardened exhaust seats installed among other things, he asked if I had any idea of how deep he could cut before hitting a water jacket. Anyone have experience with this? We are just trying to be on the safe side and not ruin a good cylinder head. Thanks

 

Random question, I'm curious if anyone else has run into this. When I was torquing down the heads on my 55 331 I had one of the rocker shaft mounts split in half. I searched around and everyone told me they never heard of this before, but when I eventually found a couple of junk replacement shafts I found that a couple of those had hairline cracks in them already also, so it can't be that rare. I also noticed the later 365-390 mounts looked a little more beefy, but I stuck with another set from a known 1955 motor just to be sure they were the same. So I'm also wondering if the later mounts could have been a possible upgrade?

 

Yep!



I think I had a couple of cracked ones from memory.
Then I realised I had a mis-matched set as I had a couple of later ‘square’ stands mixed in.
I’m guessing the cracked stands had been an issue in the distant past and replaced.



I ended up buying a complete set of later rocker assemblies to get a set of ‘square’ stands because I believe they are stronger and an upgrade from the early ones.
All the shafts were worn out so had to get replacements and added a set of adjustable rockers!

 

Though I can't answer this question for sure, i wouldthink it'dbe ok, However, perhaps your machine shop could try sonic testing in and around the valve pocket/s area in an attempt to find out. Just a thought/suggestion. Good luck

 

I’m looking to change where I have my generator mounted with my headers. I modified a Chevy style exhaust manifold to header generator mount and it’s nothing but a PITA. I remember reading about. A guy who put head studs in the furthest forward head bolts on the passenger side and made the factory mount work, but I can’t for the life of me find it. Would anyone happen to have anything I can work with or know of the member here or car I’m speaking of.

edit: also does anyone have the thread pitch and size for the og head bolts so I can call ARP and try and get a pair of replacements

 

I found the photos I was looking for, maybe they will help someone else. From the owner of the car the first bolt is a stud that’s 1/2 inch longer and there’s an L bracket off the front of the engine.

if someone does still have the head bolt sizes for the original bolts so I can try and call ARP I would still appreciate it

 

When I put the motor in my '40 I didn't have room on the side to hang the generator, so I made my own bracket to hold a Ford generator, it goes to the two water pump bolts and the intake manifold. It's been on there for probably 5k miles now with no issues.