Calling Cadophiles, Let's Build A Killer Cadillac Mill...

I been looking at that 390 too, but can't get the guy to call me back--suerte there man. FWIW the 390's probably the best option followed by the 365 then 331. better oiling system, better heads. and the 365 and 390 have many more opportunities to do tranny swaps than the 331. can't speak highly enough of the folks at wilcap!

I'm running a 57 365, stroked with the guts from a 390. with a single 4bbl and edelbrock 500, custom cam (marcus can give you the grinder's info, but as mentioned above isky's doin cads again).

as for speed parts and dependability you can't go wrong with a stock 2 x 4. you should be able to pick one up at the speedway in april for less than $250--I toted mine down there for 3 years at $100 before i sold it. it's heavy, but gives added carbs and is easy since it's not a progressive linkage set-up--it is, however, a gas hog. edelbrock 500's should work like a champ--holley's fit like shit, but can be made to work. the originals were tuned at like 490 and 505 or something random like that and are PRICEY to restorers. every once in a while you can find an aluminum 4bbl (usually from marine apps). and I saw something this week about somebody re-poping 4 x 2 intakes now, but don't recall who. truth in advertising here, I'm eventuallhy going with the 3 x 2 set up, but it's not on yet.

no matter what you get, upgrade to 390 heads with sbc valves 1.97 and 2.02. just breathes better. for quick, easy and dependable I put a petronix kit in the original distributor and have had no problems.

I think you should be fine with the radiator--I'm running a shortened radiator in my 48 chev and don't have any real problems (aside from the fact I need a 5th gear and it gets warmer than I like when running 75 on the interstate for long rides). from what I understand the temp has everything to do with timing in the cads. if the timing's off it will get hot.

if you don't use the 365 let me know. I might be interested and if nothing else need something for mock up--I'm gettin to that point on my 34 pickup.

 

Nice engines J and Noland!!!

falcon,

If you need one just for mock up, let me keep what I need off that 331 and I'll sell it to you for a fair deal. My folks live in Mt. Airy so I'm up there all the time. I think the only reason my buddy would come off that 365 is if I want it. I think otherwise he'd keep it for later.

As far as the 390, sounds like you know which one I'm talking about. I've been talking to the guy the last couple of weeks and he's been quick to respond. Maybe it was just meant to be?

Thanks for the tips!! If you ever come down to Concord, holler and stop by the Iron Lords' shop.

 

I'll tell you what, those 390 motors sound really sweet. They make a sound noticeably different than other V8s.

 

Have you heard moriarity's with the porter mufflers? Pure sweetness!! Although much different, it rivals the sweetness of my finely tuned stovebolt exhaust.

 

i like this one . well its in my car. i score a 62 sedandeville that was sitting behine a local garage. the owner stopped paying on the bill and the garage became owner to the wreck. they have the 390 rebuilt. i paid 1000.00 plus toe bill and it was mine. now it had a fressh rebuild and i puta schneider cam in it and offy 3x2 with out heat riser . it has 2 97's on the end and one 48 in the center. should have 3 48's for cfm. open headers and wilcap adapter to chevy style tremec tko600. in my book just throw a cam in them and a cool intake and they run great.

 

Looks great! More pics?!!

 

Here's a pic of the Wilcap adaptor I used to bolt the TH350 to it. It worked slick, but pretty pricey at $600. FYI, I believe '62 390 is the only year with the screw on side of block oil filter whereas the '59-61 take the from of block canister. I could be wrong, but they mad the switch somewhere in there.....

 

I had a stock 60 cad ragtop with a 390. It was pretty amazing in stock form. It would quite handily light up the tires from a stop sign. great engine.

 

Agreed, different motors sound different and many have a distinctive tone like no other.

 

id say do A 390, adjust stude rocker arms, that's why you see the dimpled valve covers, pertronix module in the stock dizzy, 2 inch smithy's glass packs,and if your going ot run this with no hood id find a multiple carb set up. if your using a hood then for simplicity id stick with the stock cater afb carb. as mentioned these motors run good and get decent mileage in stock form.

 

Thanks again for the info everybody! I appreciate it!!

 

60 was the 1st year for the side mount oil filter and with Pat's adaptor you will have to "notch" the trans bellhousing to clear the trans or remote the oil filter. Kind of dark but you can see the notch.

 

I support the idea whole heartedly. This will be that "thing" that pushes your truck over the top dude. A amalgamation of sorts...hehe!

I think keep it simple with either a 4bbl intake or a new Offy 2x2 intake that they are repopping now (aren't they?). No sense of getting all crazy with carbs and shit when you have a cad engine and aren't going for all out race app. A 3x2 would probably look best and I'll probably be looking for one too for my brother.

 

Wait, no you have to do a dual quad....it's mandatory!!!

 

I agree that 3x2 would look best but am leaning towards 2x2 for that delicate balance of looks and driving/tuning sensibility. I could care less about mileage, but I do not want to be endlessly fiddle farting around trying to get four carbs to all run just right.

 

I had set up a tentative trip to elkin planned for a weekend with no specifics, but had some stuff come up and didn't make it and handn't heard back from emails since then . hope it works for you. got a bead on another one, but it's a longer drive and price is still ambiguous, but I've heard it run.

331 won't work for my purposes--it's got the integrated bellhousing and I'll be running a 365/390 with a 700r4 this time (small truck, fat man, no room for 3 pedals) and mock up's as much about tranny placement at this point. although I know some folks who might be interested in the leftovers.

was hoping to make it down to the shop at good guys, but work interruped my plans. maybe in Jan during metrolina weekend. same offer applies, when your in town, stop by the musuem or drop me a line. you run with those guys over behind the high school. haven't met them yet, but seen the cars about some.

found the intakes I was talking bout--in this month's R & C. new 2 x 2's available at www.somospeedshop.com

when in doubt refer back to marcus--that's what I do

 

I'm not from Mt. Airy, so I don't know anybody up there except my folks and Animal who lives right across the holler from them. Well, and Hot Heads Bob, he's good friends with my pops.

I've seen the somospeed repop offy, but still no word on pricing or availability. And no word on whether or not you have to buy it as a package with their carbs, which I don't really want to do.

Marcus is the Cadillac info expert for sure! I've learned a bunch from reading his stuff!

 

Still looking for more info, pics, lies, old wives tails, whatever...



Thanks!!

 

I have the exact opposite problem, I've got a 1960 390 but refuse to put an auto in a hot rod. The project is a ways off so I might try casting a bell housing. For what they want for an adapter plate they can eat it, if they were machining them on a manual mill I might pay that much. But they've got cnc and I'm not paying $400 for a piece of plate steel and some a-hole to push a couple of buttons.

BTW... Are your feet really that fat? you only need 14" of width for 3 pedals. I can't think of a hot rod truck that didn't come with a manual. What in god's name did you do to that poor floor?

 

HOLEY MOLEY!!! Moriarty that is one sweet lookin motor in a very sweet car!

 

Moriarity, your engine is waaaay beyond RAD!! And it sounds as good as it looks too!!! Now if I can just win the lottery, I can get one of those Horne 4x2's!

 

I picked up a 2X4 for my 390, what carbs do you guys think run the best on there? I've had a lot of suggestions, but I want to see and hear it straight from someone running them. I see a couple lurking in this thread...

 

DAMN! I'm speechless

 

hate to sound like a broken record, but Moriarity, you got a perfect car, and engine. WOW..

leonard

 

Check his thread for more pics and a video...pure awesomeness!!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=504828

 

thanks terd..... never knew them caddy engines looked so cool.....

leonard

 

You're welcome Leonard. But believe me, its not easy or cheap to make them look that good!!! Real vintage parts are hard to come by and priced accordingly. Even stock Cadillac manifolds and carbs are way more expensive than comparable sbc stuff.

 

i hear you man..... but well worth it in the end, to have something that not many people would have installed in their truck....

any word on when Sid will get your front axle to you ?

leonard

 

I wouldn't be so sure Terd. If you price the rare Cadillac to the rare Chevy stuff you are probably going to come up neck and neck.

I'll see your Horne 4x2 for Cad and raise you a Nicson 2x2 or a Man-A-Fre 4x2.

When you say Chevy you have to remember that Corvette is included in some of that stuff. A Stock 2x4 Cadillac intake that's equipped with the correct matching WCFB carbs which sells for around $2800 can easily be trumped by the '57 Fuelie intake which sells on the low side for $7,000. What Cadillac part do you know of that can bring that kind of money?


I'd say that pretty much any vintage engine equipped with rare speed equipment is going to cost an arm and a leg unless we are talking ARDUN, Pontiac HEMI and Donovan HEMI....that'll take both arms and both legs...and your soul!