500 Cadillac in 51 Chev p/u. Will it fit??

Will it fit with stock steering box? I would like to keep og box. Anybody done it?

 

No, it won't fit well with the stock steering box. Even an SBC in these trucks works best when mounted with an inch to inch and a half offset to passenger side and SBC's are considerably narrower than the 500 Cad.

A cross steer box, mounted lower and forward of the stock chev truck box would offer a better chance of clearance, but that would also require boxing the frame, different/additional/modified steering arm on the pass side and a steering column with u-joints. Can be done, but not so easily. The whole picture changes if you go to an aftermarket independent front suspension but it appears that is frowned on the HAMB

 

Well, he could use a factory setup like a Jag XJ under there, too. That, the steering column/shaft out of a Chevy van, and you just might be in business.

 

I used to work with a guy that had a 472 in his chevy pickup. I'd say if it will fit a 500 will too ...

 

I dought it will fit without moving the box outboard or moving motor off center to passenger side .......................

 

Get a IFS out of a later truck ('73 - '87) and narrowed to fit. That will give you the IFS and redone steering. Then you will get the caddy to fit and a nicer ride.

 

I agree with J. The caddy motor will fit but not with the box. My 51 has a 454 but also a IFS with power steering. Sits right and handles great.

 

He seems adamant about keeping his stock box.
In no way would I put a heavy Cad over that front end with stock worn out steering and brakes that would be scary. Bigger motor needs bigger/better brakes.
If you simply put the Cad in you will be drive a big ill handling unsafe turd, period.
Do your self and others on the road a favor and install a clip with better steering, handling & braking......... JMO

 

Using the Jag x member will require a rear pan sump.
I found out the hard way.

.

 

Theres tons of room under the hoods, plop that sucker in there and move the steering box a little....Hell, thats what welders plasma and plates made for!

Adapt and Overcome! Now DROP AND GIVE ME 20! I-)

 

Firewall has to move back about 4" too.

 

I don't know about a caddy motor but I drove a massaged stock front end 53 chevy with a sbc for years. I would not have called it "unsafe". Lots of guys on here are running 70 year old designed front suspension and brakes with hemi's and the like......

 

He can keep the stock box. On a shelf. In the garage.

 

anything will fit if you want it to!
I might add my 54 GMC had the stock box mount to a 2X6 square tube welded to the outside of the frame. worked fine except for hard left turns and parallel parking

 

Dawm Skippy Dude!!!! Now.....thats what I'm talkin' about!!!!Ha!

 

The stock stovebolt engine is a lump that weighs over 600 lbs. It's probably a match in weight for any v-block you manage to shoehorn in.

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/engineweights2.html

Yep, the Caddy is lighter by 5 lbs

Chebby L6 216/235 - 630 lbs
Caddy V8 472/500 - 625 lbs

 

I don't see mounting the Cadillac in there and keeping the stock steering box. The exhaust manifolds on the Cadillac are going to overhang the frame rails some in the area where the box mounts.

You could experiment with moving the box outward as had been done on many small block swaps. You might be satisfied with the results.

You could also use one of the power steering conversion kits that mounts a steering box ahead of the axle. While the kits are about power steering there is no reason you couldn't mount a manual box using the kit. Its then possible to use the stock wheel and column with that new box.

I'm currently building a Cadillac 500 powered '55 1st GMC. I've chosen to go the pickup IFS swap route, which moves the steering box in a similar way to the power steering kits. While this approach is right for the truck I'm building, I question whether it makes sense for most guys. I'm going to end up with wheels sticking outside the fenders when I'm done, and the truck will need to stand proud to clear them. I may modify the fenders or use bigger truck fenders.

Since I'm building a tall tow rig I think I'll like the results. People suggest narrowing the IFS to make it fit; it does not narrow enough unless you also narrow the frame.

Regarding length of the motor or firewall mods, my initial mock up suggests that I'll either be modifying the toe board and firewall, or I'll be moving the oil filter, or I'll be modifying the front crossmember. Or a combination. Today I'm inclined toward either remoting the oil filter or modifying the front crossmember. But I'm some months from the next mock up when I'll have a better idea what the options really are.

 

Please make it fit.You wont be sorry.

 

look at Eldrado exhaust manifolds, they are all wacky. and sometimes a passenger side one may fit the bill.