Was looking to put something different in my 52 Ford and have been seriously considering a 472 caddy engine....was wondering if anyone has ever put a big block in one ...... Will it fit?... Any pictures of one in a 52-54?....any other helpful advice would be greatly appreciated....thanks... Sent from my Z987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I put a 429 Caddy in a 53 Ford ragtop years ago but afraid not much help. A: not sure the dimension differences between a 429 and a 472, B: the one I did had a Nova subframe so no help with steering issues, ect. Still, great idea, a Fordallac! The guy I did the swap for always wanted a Fordallac ever since he bought his Sunliner while in high school in 64. 25 years later I made his dream come true, he's been driving the wheels off it since.
Been done many times. IIRC the 429 has the same outside dimensions as the 472/500. I put a 472 (later replaced with a 500) in a 51 GMC (with a frame clip) which had an engine compartment designed for an inline 6 cylinder so one designed for a V8 should work fine. The Cadillac engine is not as big or heavy as some other big blocks and if set up to take advantage of it's torque it can be a real neck jolter. Also used a 500 in our race car tow truck and it done a great job plus no over heating problems. The chain steering has gone 200k miles with zero problems.
Oil pan configuration may be an issue. Most 472s had mid-sump oil pans. You are probably going to need a rear sump pan for the big caddy to go in your Ford ch***is. Eldorados, and Sevilles (the front-drive Caddys) came with rear-sump pans. They are somewhat hard to find though. Cadillac Motorsports Development ( http://www.cad500parts.com/) sells custom pans/pickups, but, they're pricey.
[QUOTE="undergroundss, post: 12164285, member: 84232" Eldorados, and Sevilles (the front-drive Caddys) came with rear-sump pans. .[/QUOTE] Sevilles never came with the big Caddy engine
Many people seem to get very nervous about using a chain/sprocket setup for offset steering shafts. Done with adequate consideration given to selecting the chain type and size, the bearing support for the shafts, attachment of sprockets, etc., there is no reason to fear a chain drive, in my opinion. A double row roller chain, as pictured, probably a timing chain, has far more strain on it running a camshaft for thousands upon thousands of miles and I have never seen one fail in ordinary use. They do stretch a bit in an engine but a steering shaft is not likely to strain one to that degree. I think if it were me, though, I would put some sort of dust cover over it. Back on topic, I think the high cube, high torque Caddy would be a great addition to the '52 Ford. Ray
Maybe this site will help http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html Swapped a couple of those into 70s Chevy pickups replaceing 454s more torque better mileage.
One of my very good friends had a 429 Cad in a 54 Ford years ago. It was an exceedingly tight fit and we could not get the thing to run cool to save our lives. Mid-50s Fords have VERY tight engine compartments, much more so than their GM counterparts since the upper control arms tie in high on the frame. If I were a betting man, I'd say you're going to run into some significant fitment issues.
Hi insinna..I have a big block 425 Cad engine (same as 472-500)fitted in my 49 Caddy..I would think you Ford engine compartment wouldn't be much different in size to my 49 Cad....your main problem is the length..relocating the radiator further forward....I got over this by receding 4" into the firewall....Cad has a nice swege line to cut and as I was doing major body work it wasen't a problem for me...weight wise it isnt much heavy than SBC about 30lbs....I use a 4 core radiator and don't have any cooling problems....the power is just superb ...run mine on straight LPG..
That looks awesome!... Going off of information I've found , I figured I'd be recessing the firewall...what do you have for a fan? Mechanical or electric? Sent from my Z987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app Ooops...saw fan in picture
Hi ...I use a 7 blade mechanical fan..Havent needed to put fan shroud on...we get days up to 90-100 F in summer....one thing to remember when you move everything backwoods is the speedo cable comes out of the gearbox ..it gets tight at the X member...might need to drill hole through ch***is at that position before final installation....if you are using a electronic speedo drive you wont have a problem... There's nothing like Caddy BB power its awesome . The top radiator hose from a 60's six cylinder ford falcon....
On the 53 I put a 429 in I didn't have a significant length issue, can't remember if I had to move the radiator up any on not but I know I didn't have to cut the firewall. Remember, a lot of the 52/54s had straight sixes in them, those are a long as about any V8.
A 425 is actually a bit smaller than a 472 or 500 in outside dimensions I've had both in the same car and the 500 was a tighter fit than the 425 was. The 425 will still rock and roll down the road pretty good though and often is easier to find in good shape than the bigger engines. I've got a 500 in my 71 GMC but it is still a project in progress with life getting in the way.
Hi Caddy 425 1976-1979 same size physically ...Caddy BB.. 368-425- 472 -500 same size heads and block.....just the insides are different .. sumps are different...interchangeable with 472 -500 .....exhaust manifolds interchangeable...Transmission interchangeable.....I have installed the 472-500 Eldelbrock intake on my other 425 to be fitted in my 41 Cad..... get all information you need got to Caddy 500 site give all dimensions ...what fits and dont fit This is 425 (1978)
I swapped 472 and a 500 into early 70s 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup replaceing BBC used to pull stock trailers . I just used BOP to Chevy trans adapters. both trucks showed power and milage gains.
Sevilles never came with the big Caddy engine[/QUOTE] The 368 cad engine has the same block configuration as the 472/500...oil pans, pickups, pumps will interchange. Oil dipstick may have to be moved to the 2nd provision.
The 368 cad engine has the same block configuration as the 472/500...oil pans, pickups, pumps will interchange. Oil dipstick may have to be moved to the 2nd provision.[/QUOTE] True that, but the Seville never had the 368
It can be done but most guys who have done it are very unhappy with the result. The exception would be the guy who completely gutted his car and put in new suspension, brakes, drive line, rear axle etc. He is only slightly unhappy. Do yourself a favor and put in a small block. A 302 works great and does not overpower the ch***is or get such ****ty mileage you can't afford to drive it.
I like the quiet, smooth effortless power. Only really bad part is it took several inches of leg room.
True that, but the Seville never had the 368[/QUOTE] 1980 to 1984 Sevilles came with a 368...I've gotten several oil pans/pickups from them.
1980 to 1984 Sevilles came with a 368...I've gotten several oil pans/pickups from them.[/QUOTE] How about that. I thought 1st and 2nd gen Sevilles were all 350 Olds or Diesel. They put that miserable 4-6-8 in Sevilles, also. No wonder I've never seen one. Wiki says it was only in 80 and 81
Well I guess I'm gonna be putting one in... found one from a fellow hamber ... I'm heading out about 4am to go get it...it's about 10hrs round trip.... maybe I'll start a thread on the install once I get started..... thanks for all the advice [emoji106] Sent from my Z987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Was a good Monday, got the 472 and transmission...plus a few extras while I was there..... Looking at the engine, I think my half a day drive will be the easiest part of the project.... thanks again to chopmerc32 for the engine.... Sent from my Z987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Now I'm on the hunt for a rear sump oil pan....if anyone has one they'd sell please contact me Sent from my Z987 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hi insinna...You could use a 425 sump and oil pick up..it blots on..look at my 1st pic at the top of your page....its a 425 should have enough clearance for steering.......just a tip before you install the engine ..pull the the intake and give it a new set of lifters..this is experience using these engines...
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