Tech Info: Cadillac OHV V8's 1949-1962

I know somebody around here knows.
@Moriarity @Roothawg Do either of you have any insight on that?

 

This is my early '49. I hope it helps

 

That is helpful. Thank you. I have that snout on the front of my ‘49 cam too, so that’s making me think it’s a spring loaded cam as well. Hopefully someone can confirm this.
These are photos of what I have.
The first two are the ‘49 cam.
The second two are what I believe is the ‘55 cam.
However, I know the ‘55 was different than the rest of the 331’s with the flat back block, but I’m not sure of what other differences there may be.

 

Going by memory, the early 49 has about a 1/2” hole in the snout that carries the spring and plunger that runs against the timing cover. If you need it, I’ll pull the front assembly off the 49 I have and get a pic for you?

 

Sorry Cretin, I am Of no value on this one. I have only messed with the later versions.

 

Here ya go, only took a couple of minutes, early 49 (12 or 14 week production I think)cam snout, 3/4” bore for the plunger and a pic of the plunger ,spring and the thrust area on the timing cover.
Hopefully this helps.

 

Awesome pics Barrelnose, can never learn enough about these....

 

@Barrelnose pickup That’s very helpful. Thank you!

 

A pleasure to be able to help.

 

Ok now I'm not sure what the deal is. My cam and the first one in @cretin photos have a 7/16" hole in the center. Mine had no spring at all, just ran against the cover. It appeared to never have been opened up. I wonder if that was an early(early) thing and then they switched to the spring/ plunger setup or vice-versa?

 

My engine serial # is 13,233 in '49 -pretty early in prod. run, but I'm not sure how early. (Two-bolt vc's)

 

Hi guys, need some info on the ‘58 365 I got in my ‘52 coupe.
I got the heads and pistons out and ready to do a quick hone job and put the stock pistons back in with new ring.
I got the bores checked by a local mechanic and he said that the lip on the top of the cilinders is not from wear but it’s a lip that makes the head gasket seat properly… it sounded weird to my but can someone tell me if he is correct?

 

Ridge is from ring wear, not designed into the block.

 

Find a new machinist.

 

If you can catch it with your fingernail it needs to be removed. Your new rings will have sharp edges and can get damaged hitting that ridge. Clean it first and check it!

 

Talk to a machinist Not A mechanic about rebuilding your engine.

 

thanks for al the info guys
i do feel the ridge with my finger but the old pistons came out with a slight tap with a rubber hammer.
What do you mean by damaging? Is that during installation or while the engine is running?

 

Question: Do all Cadillac script valve covers have the big honking harness bracket in the middle? Mine do. Just wondering if I should look for an earlier set? I think it disrupts the whole vibe. They look to be fairly well attached also, spot welded in several places.

 

If you are careful with a die grinder you can remove the head of the spotweld and remove them, I did it on my '55 set. That said, the 50-53 valve cover doesn't have them. Some even have neat wire looms along the back and bottom built in, try to find a set of those.

 

That’s what I was thinking. Thanks

 

Are these pins on the heads removable? Most aftermarket intakes dont appear to be cut for them including 2 of the 3 i have on hand.

 

Yes, they are just dowels.

 

Photo 229 give me the shivers. If that valley pan was glass beaded or sand blasted, it should be disassembled or tossed
to keep unmentionables out of that new engine.

 

Nah, it will be blown out dipped and then chromed. Besides, you should have seen the crap that was living in there when I tore it down. Carbon the size of your fist. Plus, it's for breather air only.

 

Im assuming i just need a good grip on them then and theyll wiggle out. Thanks!

 

Last question for a bit (i cant get the pins out...). Im removing a hilborn mechanical fuel injection system with a cam driven fuel pump. Whats the piece called that connects the pump to the camshaft? If i remove the one shown is there one without the snout that replaces it or do the bolts just go through the gear? Thanks!

 

That’s a “spud”. The bolts are just like a sbc, they hold the spud on and go through to the gear. Easy Peasy. You got this.

Does it have a roller cam by chance?