Customs 4 Barrel manifold for 331 Cadillac OHV

I have an early Cadillac 331 OHV with a stock 2 barrel carburetor in a 1940 Mercury. To gain more under hood clearance I was thinking a four barrel carb. Increased performance is not the goal. Research tells me the first Cadillac factory single four barrel carb manifold came on the 1956 365 CID V8. Will this manifold interchange with the earlier 331 CID I now have? Did any aftermarket suppliers offer a single four barrel intake manifold for the 331 V8? Thanks for the help.

 

I am famous for posting bad info so take this as bs. I took a four barrel wcfb off an early caddy. It must have been 56 or earlier as it did not have the secondary velocity valves. The carb did not work for me. The car and intake are probably still there. It is a business so they might pull the manifold for you if you need one.

 

My 53 331 (also going in a 40 Merc) has a factory 4-barrel on it.

 

I imagine you might have to look out for the early 4 barrel small base vs later large base bolt patterns on these?

 

Yes...

 

Mine is definitely small base.

 

Here is a stock four barrel on my 1953 Cadillac 331 motor.

 

Here is mine without the carburetor on it.

 

55 Olds wcfb is a great carb. Small base and has the secondary velocity valves.

 

1952-56 Cadillac engines used the carburetor with the small, almost square bolt pattern (3 7/8x3 3/4 ). '57 -'62 used the larger pattern, but could have come with a Rochester 4GC or Carter AFB. Most of them in that vintage ended up with an AFB.

 

No kidding…I think you are right! I never noticed that… Hopefully they didn’t glue it on.

 

Thanks everybody. Looks like the 4 barrel will provide additional under hood clearance.