Cadilac V8s

I want to build my next hot rod using an early Cadilac V8 with a manual trans. I'm just trying to figure out what year drivetrain to look for? I'd like to get input from all of you guys. I'm looking for the first years after the flat heads. Wanting to be able to eventually add a multi carb setup, a good ignition system, ect.

 

The OHV engine was intro'd in 1949. Hydra-Matic was made standard in 1953. In the four years inbetween, only the series 61 and 75 actually had the manual as standard. Ergo, you will have a very difficult time finding a Cadillac OHV manual drivetrain. Probably less than 5% of production was manual transmission. BTW, series 75 were the funeral coaches and limosines. Very rare, and very expensive these days. Series 61, in 1950 for instance, had a production run that, in total, was less than just the series 62 four-door sedan.

Your best bet would be to find a bellhousing and a trans to fit. You will probably have to bore the crank for pilot bushing as well.

Cosmo

 

Well, sounds like I'm gonna be running a automatic then. Oh, well, better for cruising anyway. If I'm looking for a reasonably priced OHV that I can hop up around three hundred hp/ tq, what would be the best engine to look for?

 

You don't have to run an Auto. Adapter plates to early Ford trans are cheap in Speedway catalog and others to other trans are around. Flywheels come up on ebay regularly and I have never had to drill a crank on an early '50 Cad engine. Don't be afraid to go stick. I am running a Cad. in front of the stock trans. in my 48 Ford sedan. And one in my roadster in front of a 60s-70s Ford Econoline top loader with a Jeep cap. Both work out well.

 

Early Cads RULE... Hydros ****!! you can adapt all different ******s Manual or Auto.. if you want manual trans.. there is companys like wilcap that make adaptors.. the easy set up would be an early caddy with a top loader ford trans.... but they have adaptors to later T-5 5 speed or t-10 as well.. Stay away from the 49 caddy I have read that they had problems with over heating.. the 50 was the start of the "good" 331

 

As was already stated look for an early Cad to Ford adapter. They are available. Then if you want stack adapters. I have a 51' 331 that is adapted to T-5 through a flathead Ford bell-housing. Lots of ways to do it.

 

check out my build with cad. ford trans.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464776&highlight=my+34+build

 

Don't take what seems like the easy way out and run an auto. Better to do a little more work and build a real hot rod. "real hot rod" that was a joke. Don't come at me with all your B&M ****. Do some more research and we'll help you.

 

What about flywheels?

 

Read my first post. They turn up all over. swaps, ebay, here, Post a wanted on hamb.

 

My recommendation is the Cadillac 390 found in 59-61 cars. 49-61 Cadillac engines all look the same, but the 390 will give ya the most H.P.

 

This is why I ask questions on the HAMB! I've been asking the "old hot rod guys" around here for about a year and havn't gotten a quarter of the good info that I got from one post. Keep it coming. Now I'm getting stoked about building it. I'm gonna start looking for a motor and early ford top loader.

 

Early Olds and Caddy used the same flywheel. Goatroper02 here on the HAMB makes flywheels and adapter kits for the early Olds which can be used on the Cad.

Ross racing engines: http://rossracingengines.com/c/7/Trans-Adaptors-STD/

 

I have a 40 coupe with a 1953 331ci caddy and a 39 ford ******. Love it

 

http://www.transmissionadapters.com/Pricing.htm Cad 331 to stick adaptor.

 

X2. My favorite Caddy engine. They sound SOOOOOOO good - and they look good, too. They have generators. And they are powerful and bulletproof. What else could you want?

 

I feel like I sing the gospel here, but www.wilcap.com

Pat will alleviate all your headaches. I spent the better part of a year scrounging parts and pieces to make mine work. I had all the goods--crager adaper, schaffer flywheel etc. starters are the *****. I went through 3 before I finally had Pat cut a new flywheel to allow me to use the later cady 12 volt starter (much easier to find). I'm currently running a 4 speed toploader from a 66 mustang gt and probably switching to a t-5 later this year.

don't be afraid of the stick. on an engine note, I'd encourage looking at the 59-62 390 as the starting point. beter oiling system, more cubes and horses, better heads. chances are if you build a 331 or 365 you'll end up running 390 heads anyway, just start with that block.

I ended up stroking a 365 with 390 guts because the 390 block was too far gone.

cam and lifter readily available, petronix kit works great, sb chevy valves will work too.

for what it's worth.

 

As far as used standard shift flywheels and bell housings/aftermarket adapters go, there are way more floating around for the '49-'54 Cadillac block than for '55-'62, since the early blocks used the same pieces as '49-'64 Olds engines. '57 and later heads have much better ports than the early heads.

 

Early Cad .....Std and automatic parts on the shelf

Tony

 

Not TOO early, 64-67 429. Definitely looks different than your average SBC

 

Chop mixing and matching parts is hot rodding. You don't need or even want the manual ****** from an early OHV caddy.

If you are shooting for totally old school you will look for an earlier Cad/LaSalle ******. Most of the fellas want top loaders but I like the side shift trannies better myself.

Or you can look for a 39-41 Ford a 39 with Zephere gears is the real deal.

Adapters are still easy to find. Keep an eye on the cl***ifieds. A Ford ****** with Zephere gears is going to be a tough nut to crack but I see them once in awhile and the side load Caddy/Lasalle comes up every so often.

You're other option is a later standard ****** which isn't going to be hard to come by and adapters are availabe for those also.

Lastly there is absolutely nothing wrong with a hydro-matic for a real hot rod. You can still by the pieces to make a hydro stick out of one from B&M from what I understand. But for a driver that isn't going to get a serious hammering on a regular basis a stock hydro is fun to drive and you can put it in drive when you get lazy or con a chick into riding with you and want to neck a little.

 

Speedway sells an early Ford to GM adapeter in two versions, one using the shaft type throw out bearing and the other the pivoting fork type......opens up a whole world of manual trans choices, 3 spd thru 5 spd.....my personal favorite, the inexpensive and driver friendly full syncro three speed Saginaw......The adapter requires the thin plate type early Olds/Cad to early Ford plus, of course, the flywheel, clutch etc.

Ray

 

Since you said Hot Rod I would and did use a 59-62 390. You'll have all the HP and torque you'll ever need. Adapters are out there as everyone else has posted. I'm using a 62 390 with some work and speed parts and a Muncie. Be careful these engines can be addictive

 

I have a 6x2 Intake and a Trans Adapter for 365 and 390's to a Ford T-10. When you're ready, drop me a PM!

 

Are those the Aeroquads I sold you?

 

i am running a bendtsen trans adapter behind a 390 caddy and i am using a t-5 trans. no problems. the engine is very close to sbc

 

Yes Heathen they are and thanks again they are super nice.

 

Finding a stock bellhousing for the OHV engines that started in '49 is not hard, and the trannies are the same clear back to '38. A '37 top shift will also bolt up.

....and the Caddy trannies are far tougher than the Fords!