Hot Rods Let's talk Cadillac 331's, 365 and 390's

How do you get the Big Block Chevy rods to work in the Cadillac?

 

The Pontiac 455 rods are supposed to be closer according to the sales guys at SCAT.

 

I wonder if a dog bone and spyder deal using LS7 style lifters?

 

I don’t believe I have any photos of the lifters, for the rods all I believe my machinist did was cut the crank to accept the Chevy bearings/rods. We had to modify the block for the lifters with the tie bars to fit. I was having some carb issues (even in the video I posted it was around 950-1000), but I have it idling about at around 800 rpms and with only 12 initial + 14 mechanical advance degrees of timing shes a real ripper. As it breaks in I will up the timing as I think it can take a whole bunch more. I’m also thinking about getting valve covers that have breathers in them. I’m talking with a gentleman in New Jersey who is building an even gnarlier engine than mine and he will be adapting a big block Chevy oil pump to his and adding a good bit of baffles to his stock pan so I might look to upgrade to that in the future if it works for him

 

Do you remember what the original application was for the lifters with tie bars?

 

So, am I reading this right ? 55 starters are a 1 year only thing? A friend has a 55 motor that is supposed to run, but the starters gone. Wants to do some trading on some bike parts I have. I've got a bunch of earlier starters ,and a mini starter on the wilcap kitted 55 motor, but coming up short with a later one. Will a 59 390 work? I may have one of those in deep stash, but going to be tough to get to. I'd really like to hear this mill run, before I trade

 

I bought everything from Ross, best advice is to give him a call

 

Which starter you need depends upon the bellhousing and flywheel that's on it. The tooth count on the flywheel changed over the years and so did the starter mounting pad on the bellhousing. I know for certain that a '62 390 starter won't work on a 331...

 

I strongly believe.. It became 176 teeth in 1954. Pictured is a -55 bell with starter fastening holes not centered, and that is probably the difference on 54-55 starters. I bought a mini starter that "should" fit
54-55, and it almost did. It will though when I make a new adapter plate with off center holes.

/ Johan

 

Gotta keep this alive. lol

So, id like to reduce the compression on my 365 a little bit. Ideally i want to avoid swapping out the pistons because, well, money. Are there any options out there as far as head spacers to or even some really thick gaskets? Trying to make this a bit easier on me and my wallet if possible. Thanks!

 

I had a 331 Cad back in 64 !
https://www.google.com/search?q=mar...DsYwgPSAQkxNjIxajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrom

 

That is Great stuff Marty! I've seen it before but, it still makes me grin.

 

That’s tits.

 

You’ve got all the cool Cadillac shit

 

How in the world do you find all these?

 

A little 390 progress

 

Very impressive work,,,,I wish there were more engine builds like this !
That will be a really great running Caddy when you finish,,,,I can’t wait to see the results .
Excellent !

Tommy

 

I took my car to trog last weekend so can say i have 98% of the bugs worked out. So far well over 750 trouble less miles. Got 16 mpg with the t5. Here is a video of a 1-4 gear pull. Still have to mess with the belt (one of the last bugs) to fix that belt squeal

https://youtube.com/shorts/hNuNlEJrFvQ?si=5Oq73uxgk0VqNS0R

 

Man you’re lucky. I tried bidding on one on eBay a few weeks ago but didn’t win

 

Sounds great. I wish I was further along on mine. I can't remember if you posted your specs. Now that you have it dialed in, do an idle video again. I love speculating what mine will sound like.

 

So, did you decide to run the no pocket pistons? That CR seems pretty high for todays pump gas.

 

probably end up cutting some valve pockets. Anybody know of a good quality timing set or a way to change to a double roller set? The “Engine pro” set I bought changes the intake valve center line from 112 to 101

 

I have thought about retrofitting a SBC set up, but I haven't researched it. Could you just have a keyway cut on the cam gear to advance or retard?

 

that has been talked about. The other issue is the new chain is a little sloppy

 

The sbc timing chain and gear conversion is doable, but I believe the biggest issue is the dia. of the crank snout. Last conversion I read about was managed by cutting the snout off the Cadillac crank and welding on one from a sbc...

Wish someone would come up with a better set-up than the stock gears and chain.

 

I also believe this is the way to get to done from what I’ve read

 

I think I do recall that...I have old man brain....

@Mike Paul ......so how do you get around the lobe center issue? That could make a huge difference on what you thought you were getting versus actual.