Looking for some info on swapping a 365 Cad. (with a 700R4) into a '56 Ford Fairlane with the stock power steering setup? I've searched for past posts without any luck. I'm concerned with the oil pan clearance. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Dont think it would be a common swap. I have seen a 346 flathead Caddy engine in a about a 1954/55 Fairlane and boy was it ugly and a very bad fit. Not a swap I would consider. I guess you need to take a step back and ask yourself what you are trying to achieve.
I have some swap books that show an early Hemi in a 55-57 Tbird and it went in pretty nicely. The Caddy is a tad smaller, so I would think it would fit alright. 700r4, hmmm, early dual range hydro would fit nicely and it has a lower first than any modern trans. You can get one outta a 55 Kidalac and have a nice ride without buying an adapter.
I have never heard of that particular swap. I'm also not well versed on Ford layout. My ****isys: The 365 is a rear sump oil pan. If the Ford had a front sump pan (Not a Ford expert, but I though Y-blocks were front sump), you could be in for a big headache. The 368 has the oil pump bolted to the rear main cap which makes it a tad difficult to use a rear sump pan. The '63-up Caddy (390 and 429) looks similar, but has a timing cover mounted oil pump, and you can do anything you want with the oil pan, but no after market intakes will fit without modification. There are even stock front sump pans ('65-'up). The adapter to run a Chevy trans is like $800 or something (including flexplate and starter). I'm not a big fan of the Hydramatic, but if you have a good working one, it's not a bad idea. But I'm not a big fan of the 700R4 either (they tend to break in half behind the later Caddies, if you ever get traction). It would be an interesting swap if you pull it off, but I'm thinking major reconstructive surgery (along the lines of aftermarket crossmember and suspension). I would look real close at what all will have to be done to fit it. Down to things like the throttle linkage (does the rod to the carb move the same direction, or will you have to fabricate just to hook up the throttle), etc. As for the power steering, the 55-up saginaw pumps (at least in Caddies), up to and including the 70s / 80s style, are all the same pressure. So if a stock PS pump on a '75 SBC will work with your gearbox, so will a stock 55 Caddy pump. If you need a different pressure output, there are companies that sell the later (late 60s thru 90s style) Saginaw pumps with different output pressures, but I don't about one that will bolt up to the stock 365 bracketry. I'm thinking the easiest way to do it may be to use the Cadillac crossmember, suspension, and steering gearbox from the donor car. ***uming it is a ball joint car (most 365s had ball joints not kingpins), you can then use '68-'70 Cadillac spindles for a bolt on Disc brake upgrade, plus have a better ride, better handling, longer tire life, etc. Still requires fab work, but you buy almost nothing and it is probably not much more work than an aftermarket suspension setup. Just my $.02
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