Well i sure in the hell regret selling the original 331 out of my cadillac. Plans where to drop a 350 in it but i am changing those plans to put a cadillac engine back in it. I know the 331 is the stock size for my 54 but should i go big and get the 390 block. Will the engine just drop in the stock location. Also i have read a few threads on these engines and that you can use sbc valves in them was wondering how this is done. Any leads on engines would be nice i just p***ed one up which ****s. Any here in Ca would be great or if the guy that bought mine sees this ill buy it back ahahah.. With speed equipment who still makes intakes for these engines and any headers out there for them.
I beleive offy is reproducing the 2x2 intake, but I have no idea where to them. I hear so-mo speed shop had them, but I havent checked.... I wish I had the cash to run the 331 in my 53, small block was the only way since im broke most of the time. haha
Yeah it is going to be way more expensive to build then the sbc i already built for it. But to me will look a lot better under the hood. Plans are to run one of the engines with an adapter for a 700r4 or 4l60e and try and find more info on the rear end to regear it
If you've allready sold the 331 I'd find a 390 out of a 59-62, they have better heads. I think it should easily fit, a 390 is basicly a bored 331 with changes to the heads and intake. But the 390 would have better all around performance compared to the 331 and 365.
390 makes more power than the rest. 331 will keep the rabid cad resto guys from cringing. sbc would make their heads collectively explode, lol. It'll probably be more what you can find vs. what you want. Somo speed is selling offy 2x2 intakes. Factory 2x4 or 3x2 are available pretty regularly for decent prices. Aftermarket vintage multi carb intakes come up from time to time, but are usually very expensive. For example, there's a 4x2 Edelbrock in new condition on ebay right now for $1,500. Header flanges are available or easily made for custom headers. I don't know of any off the shelf header design. I'm chroming the stock exhaust manifolds on mine.
Call Lewis at Milinich Pant and Body in Hanford, he plays with the Caddy's all the time. He might know where to find one or might even have one for sale. Oh the regret of the sbc.
Thanks for the lead man will have to look them up and give them a call tomorrow. Any more info on these engines?
Do a search, there's a ton of threads. Here's my favorite to start you off with... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319750&highlight=odd+ball+cadillac+speed+parts
I believe you would need a crank or rods or something. Plenty of 390s out there, but I was wondering about the trans and bellhousing? Did '54 still have the early block with the extended bellhousing area? Cause then you'd need a trans too.
I did not install it, previous owner did, but a 472/500 will fit with mods. I'm just sayin'......always options.
Didn't I tell you it was going to bite you in the ****...??? Huh..??? FWIW (now) go find a 472" or a 500" and hook up a later model trans...you'll be much better off...and don't say I never told you that you'd regret it...!!! R-
ah man i was hoping you wouldnt see this post you told me i would damn ****s man. 472 or 500 would be nice but would it clear the factory steering box on the frame rail, those blocks are the same as any gm block and will bolt right up to any gm trans rite?
Actually I think the 472's fit well, athough ive never done it. They have a lot longer front end than the earlier years.
Yes, either engine will clear the steering box...I have a friend that just put a 500" and a 700R-4 in his '56...he did have to build new motor mounts to raise the engine a bit and move it forward so the ****** fluid lines would clear the firewall, trim the front saddle for the oil pump (and box it back in) and build a new driveshaft...but it's in...and it looks good... R- PS- I don't miss much here on the HAMB...!!!
ahahha. Any pictures Roger i have a lead on a 500 that i might be able to get for some trades or can take the 472 out of my brothers 70 and leave him with a headache to find one ahahah.
Naw...no pix...my friend is not the picture taking kind of guy...he's the get-it-done-by-tomorrow kind...I just know how he did it from seeing it and him explaining what he had to do...he did have to have an adaptor to hook up the 700R-4 however...so that's going to cost you some more $$...you still have that job...??? There's not much difference between a 472" and a 500"... R-
I drove a '57 Coupe deVille for 8 years with the 300-horse 365. It ran great, really pulled that heavy (4850 lb) car well.
Yeah man still have the job over at nissan Roger. Its going good over there going to send me out for nissan training school. My manager and I have plans for me to be a master tech in 3 years, Take some ASE tests next month. 472 or the 500 would be nice going to look in overall cost of building a 472 to a 390 and total it out and see which will be better for me. Im trying to keep it looking as original as possible is the plan. So the 390 would really look stock in there but a lot more cubic inches over the 331.
Same Block, no...331 had extended bell housing cast into the back of the block... Same architecture, yes... lots (most) of the bolt-ons fit both engines late '49 until '62
So the 61 cadillac block is my best lead so far. Will it drop right in no mods needed. Same style motor mounts and will the distributor clear the firewall??
Found a 63 cadillac 390 do they share the same engine mounts? distributor in same place? really doesnt matter about the transmisson because i will run an adaptor for it.
Only similarity with the '63 390 and '59-'62 390 is the displacement. They are completely different motors.
No first hand knowledge but I have read a bit on here about the '63 390s. They were a one year only motor and most guys recommend steering clear of them. I have a '61 390 I plan to use some day. Plenty of torque..........so I'm told
Yeah i also found out that the dissy moved to the front of engine and a few other things. The search is still on for a 390..
Hahaha i know didnt have money back then to build the 331 now i regret selling it. Now its hard as hell to find a 390. Oh well will have to find one soon
The 55 -62 Cadillacs did not have the extended bell housing. 49-54. had the extended bell housing. If you still have the original hydramatic from the 54, all is not lost. Find a 55 Cadillac hydramatic bell housing and just replace the 54 short bell housing with the 55 bell housing. That way you can use any 55-62 Cadillac V8. I agree, stay away from the 63 390!
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