Projects 1960 caddy engine,worth picking up?

Instead of yanking a running engine out of the coe, you should build a car around the Caddy engine!

 

I have a 1955 vanette that could use a torque monster ..
A 37 GMC with a 270 Jimmy
A 50 GMC homemade coe that I'm putting a 292 inline....
I got enough projects

 

Ya never know what will happen. Always good to have a motor in the wings.

 

it maybe a good deal if you can use it. don't forget the early gm mtrs. don't except late model trans. without adapter plate. good luck

 

Well that's hot rodding I guess. I remember finding an adapter or two to bolt a small block up to an early Ford transmission when I was younger. Some things just never change.

 

Thanks guys.
I got curious and popped the valve cover off.

I drained the oil and it was black but no water and it spins freely..
Might be a runner..

I'm picking an 2x2 Edmunds with a couple of zeniths on top...and maybe a couple of finned valve covers..

 

Looks good.

 

Yup. That’s clean


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Btw it's a 61.

61J070133

 

Is the 380/Hydra-matic transmission a good candidate for a swap or do people prefer the manual conversion for certain "hot rod feel"

 

I bought a bellhousing for a 5/6 speed. The Early Caddy cranks were drilled for sticks, but the later engines were automatic only. Look at the Wilcap adapters for options.

 

(You mean 390? Caddy 390?) Depends on your budget. Depends on the project. (Going in a Caddy? An A? )Most likely, a used engine will come with a hydramatic 4 speed, or you can find one pretty easily for cheap. I found a complete one on ebay for $300, bought it for parts. (Some hard to find **** in there). I rebuilt my stock Hydramatic myself for around $350, starting with little or no skills (Fatsco Transmission kit). Very doable. Performs awesome; Chug along in high gear on the freeway basically at idle. I love it. I am always drinking coffee or eating doughnuts with one hand, so I like an automatic, sit back burn up some highway. Text. Find a better song on the radio. Take my jacket off while driving. Discipline children in the back. Life’s good.

If I were loaded (with money), would I buy an adapter, put a manual transmission, custom built driveshaft, starter, fabricate linkages, speedo connection, etc? Yes. You wouldn’t believe the trouble I would get myself into if I had the bread.


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Great news...thanks...I meant 390....sorry for the typo

 

$200 is way cheap. I parted out a Y block and a 216 Chevy 6 and got more than that for the lighter shipable bolt on parts for each.