I just picked up a 78 cadillac that I'm going to pull the motor and trans out of for my model A build.Does anyone know anything about these?Are the motor and trans mounts the same as a chevy big block,or are they different?I'm also kind of concerned about what I'm going to do for the exhaust,and wondering about room issues too.The price was cheap,so I jumped on it,since I didn't have anything else laying around.Just trying to do some planning. Any info would be great.
These links should get your started. Love that Cadillac torque!!! Sanderson makes block huggers and other types for Cadillac 425/472/500. http://www.centuryperformance.com/Sanderson/apps.asp Great information and parts http://www.cad500parts.com/ More great information and links http://www.eldocountry.com/eldo/links.html More parts http://www.500cid.com/
Not the same as BBC. There are several people that make adapter mounts to put the Cad engine on Chevy mounts. The headers are real close to BBC, basically you just change the flange. The 425 is basically a smaller version of the 472/500 series engine. Once you get the vehicle with the 425 swap done, look for a 472 or 500 and then it is bolt-in swap.
The 425 makes plenty of power for a light ride. Drawback not much available. Liek was said it's the little brother of the 472/500 and some stuff will work on it, some won't. But they're good engines and can be had cheap...
The 425 (and 368 [6 litre]) were the only Cads with a true rear sump pan. Eldos are mid sump, and actually twin sump, as anyone who's ever been beneath one will tell you, an Eldorado has two drain plugs!! The 425 also has some of the weakest main caps as well as a weaker block in general, as the factory was doing what they could to save weight. Put it in, save for a 472-500, and use the pasrt from the 425 when you get the big gun. Parts you have that are valuable: Rear sump pan with pickup HEI ignition. Well, that's kinda it, but it's a start... Cosmo
Here's some pics of the three kinds of sumps that come on the big block caddy motors. The oil pan on the orange motor is for a 69 -75 deville rear wheel drive car The oil pan on the dark blue oily motor is for an eldorado(front wheel drive) The oil pan by itself is from a 425 or 368 deville rear wheel drive. As for headers Sanderson make block huggers and limefire/lakes headers,U-fab also sells a limefire /lakes header kit http://www.lakeheaders.com/CaddyHeaders.html There are adapters to put the caddy 331 365 390 valve covers onto these motors aswell. Heres a pic of the 500(same externally as the 425) in my A sedan,it has Sanderson headers on it.
This is some great info and timely for me; I'm very seriously thinking of swapping a 500 into my '56 Eldorado cruiser and using the 365 in my '31 pickup.
Thats great ,I'm in the middle of putting a 500 eldo motor into my 56 coop at the moment The eldo motor comes with the correct sump to fit the 56 cad. the 365 would be a natural transplant for the hotrod
425s are decent engines. Not as good as the 500/472 but still cool. They are incredibly light as was said before. 500 headers and intakes will boltup but wont match the ports on the head. Thats just something to think of, i have some 500 performance stuff on a 425 myself. Im just putting the parts to use untill i can overhaul the 500 i have. Also check out cowboyseven.us. That is a GREAT caddy performance message board.
The Jalopy Journal
