My bro has a stock '54 331" V8 in his 1954 Caddy hardtop, it's got lots of miles and in need of an overhaul...if we do that, then I'm curious as to whether the "bell housing" is part of the engine block... cuz we've also talked about adapting a later model T400 or R-4 to the earlier engine...if it is part of the engine block, then what engine can a later model tranny be adapted to...??? Is the 331" V8 the same all the way to the 390"...??? Thanx, R-
i believe that the 331 is the same as the 390. there are adapter kits for a different trans, th400,700r4,etc..., but you have to replace and modify the starter also. runs about $700 for everything.
indeed. major pain in the ass. 49-53 are gonna be the same adapters as the olds. 1954 and newer is going to be different but they are out there. to auto and manual.
1949 to 1954 all the same,1955 to 1962 is different. 1955 one-year-only still had the good hydro,but with a better internal ratio gearset,1956 and up has the crappy controlled coupling Jetaway trans. keep the trans it has,it ain't overdrive but there's only -2% efficiency running in top gear on the highway. my brother's 303 Olds/hydro got 20 MPG on the way to the car show sat. 140 mile round trip.
well I'll be damned.... Thought there was a bigger difference between 53/54. http://www.wilcap.com/cad.html
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