1963 International Gets The Cubic Inch Treatment..Caddy 500 Style!!

Let me start by saying that I love my International. It is a real truck with a real truck strength and ride.

Now, the only thing that I don't love is the lack of power that the BG241 straight 6 has to offer in my truck. I feel that it isn't just the IH power but my combination of tire diameter and gear ratio. The factory put 6.17's in the rear axle. With stock size tires it would realisticaly top out at about 55. With the 4.10's and 36" tires it would easily go much faster but it would have to be down hill with the wind at my back. It struggles at normal driving to keep up with traffic. All this without a load.

So out of necessity I have chosen to swap out the 6 cylinder for a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado 500. It has an Edlebrock intake with a rebuilt Rochester carb, new timing gears and chain, new fuel pump and a new water pump.
The transmission is the Cadillac Turbo 400 that has been freshened up.

I chose the Cadillac for all it's torque. With 525lbtq it ought to scoot the old IH pretty well. I use the truck everyday and will from now on. It is my work truck, parts and project fetcher so I haul lots of weight in the bed and while towing. I really need power.

I hate that I had to remove the six but I felt that this was the right decision for me and my company.

Rebuilt the distributor, cut down the fan spacer to save an inch and an 1/8th, mounted the fuel pump, rebuilt the carb and transmission. I used a new BBC truck radiator. I had to build motor mounts and a transmission crossmember. Used a Lokar shifter. It actually fits with plenty of room to spare.

Progression pics;
What I started with


A little paint and chrome




A little closer



Out with the old




Ready to go




In





This


This is just the first part of this saga. I am starting on rebuilding another 500 to replace this one. I want this one to be pretty hot.

I figured I would share.



******Knuckles

 

So on to my replacement engine build.

I recently acquired 6 Cadillac 500s. With the purchase I ended up with a completely machined block ready to be built. Also, I ended up with a set of Speed-Pro roller rockers and push rods, new pistons, a turned crank with radiused oil ports.

So with all of this I have decided to build up something with a bit of balls. I have a set of 552 heads that have been stripped and cleaned and need the machine work done.

Now what I need is help with the best recipe of parts to achieve gobs of low end. Any bit of guidance would be great.

Thanks.


******Knuckles

 

One more thing.

I have had this together and have been driving it for about 10 months now with close to 8000 miles on it. I have done sooooo much in regards to tuning and performance. It runs incredibly well and rather violent at times. It moves this heavy *** truck better than most vehicles on the road. With all that said it has developed a distant, low end knock. The reason for the replacement.


******Knuckles

 

That thing is SWEET!!! theres a 64 crew cab on cl here... making me think!

 

I was gonna say something... then you outed yourself. But she looks good...

 

Thanks man!

Thanks dude. Don't be starting no ****, son

I have to get you a few pics of it with the louvered hood that you did.



******Knuckles

 

This is the only one I have.






******Knuckles

 

cool, glad to see it finally made it on there...

 

man you couldnt have picked a better engine for what you want to do!! i love the caddy 472/500 engines.we have a 472 for a project here but we are still lookin for a 500.theres a company i think its call the cad.company,i havent dealt with them in yrs but they are out west. man they are the ones to deal with when you build the caddy engine. on thier home page they have a full sized caddy pullin the wheels off the line!! i want another one.

 

Thanks.

I am familiar with The Cad company and MTS. I have dealt with both of them so far. I plan on calling both of them tomorrow and discuss cams, lifters and springs. This is my next step.



******Knuckles

 

Have you regeared the old girl yet??

Sheesh no wonder its "rather violent at times"

"Faint rod knock now"

Glad you been having fun with it

 

No. With the 500 the gears are matched pretty well. Plenty of power down low and good highway manners.

The knock I don't like. Just waiting for the day it comes out to say "Hi!"


Heading to the machine shop today. Looking forward to it.



******Knuckles

 

Man, I fell in love with that Binder of yours first time you posted pictures of it !!
And now with a Caddy 500 it just don't get no better!!
Keep us posted with pics and details on the "New and Better" Caddy you are building.
Cheers,
Bob
(Oh, and Yah, I have owned several Binders in my time....a breed all their own)

 

Great post and great binder! I've been eyeballing a cad 500 for mine, but just can't bear to pull my i6 until it croaks. But as good as it's running now, there's no telling when that's gonna be! Anyway, I'm bookmarking this for future reference ... Thanks for sharing.
-g

 

I thought you still had 617s.

Yea 410s big motor and 36s just fine.

Nice old Binder of Corn.

 

Thanks man. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. Just can't wait for the fresh 500.

My 6 ran great in stock form, actuall really good. Once I screwed with different gearing and tires it was way underpowered. Not what I thought would happen but I never really thought about it. Now I know.

It's nice to be fully loaded down with tools and equipment and still be able to bark the tires a bit.

Thanks guys.



******Knuckles

 

That's an awesome truck. I bet it's a blast with a that new usable power. The 4x4 still works? I am digging those tires wheels, too. What a beast.

 

Six of them? Holy **** Ron-put one in the front and one in the back!
You know I'm a ****er for an old four wheel drive. If I can help let me know. I can send Kelsey over to help with the electrical!
Hugh

 

Beautiful truck. With these wheels and tyres looks mean
Also You did fine work swapping that cad motor in. I can imagine how it helped in everyday driving.
Keep us posted on an engine rebuild.

 

I had an oil drinking 1973 472 in my 60 Caddy, then I put a rebuilt 1971 500 in it's place. I still think the 472 had more power. Man that 472 would fly!

It's been 14 years now, and the 500 runs fine though.

 

Thanks man. 4x4 works great. I actuall converted this truck from 2wd to 4wd using 74 F250 axles, driveshafts and transfercase.
For reference before;

Thanks alot. Man, please post a pic of yours in this thread. Just so I can look at it when I want. Kelsey's one heck of a helper. I may have to call on her for he expertise.

The truck is actually a good daily driver. My biggest problem is the lack of power steering. Holy **** it's a work out! It's on the list of to-do's.

I've heard the same thing about the 472. Not sure why that is but these are great engines, overlooked engines.

Thanks guys.


******Knuckles

 

So I dropped off 2 sets of heads to the machine shop. One head was "ported". The shop was skeptical on the job that was done. Got the call that the "port master" took a wee bit too much out. After a thorough cleaning there was daylight poking through the exhaust port into the oil p***age.

I'll keep you posted.




******Knuckles

 

Wow; must be a handful without p/s hope you don't do much parallel parking, lol, but way cool truck!

 

So, of course because I'm beginning the engine replacement rebuilt the 500 in my truck is running all too well and knocks are just about non-existant. It's kind of like taking a new car in for warranty work and the car won't act up for them. Stupid.

I need to figure out which cam to run. I really want low end grunt being that this is my parts getter and daily work horse.

Also for those reading along, what is your opinion on FlowKooler water pumps?? I purchased one to combat some of the hot running my present engine does.


Thanks again guys.



******Knuckles

 

Good read, I just bought a '55 Coupe De Ville with a 472/TH400 in it, supposed to be a 70-71 model. Haven't had a chance to really flog it yet but it sure pulls smooth and effortlessly. My '53 Caddy had a Chevy 454 and I think I'm gonna like this WAY better.

I'd like to do what you did ******Knuckles, nothing wrong with the one that's in there now but I'd love to find a complete 'spare' motor to freshen up and hop up a bit to have standing by.

 

With the New Year a couple of hours away you guys are really tempting me with all of this Caddy talk. I've aways been intrigued by the posts concerning swapping a 472/500 Caddy into a truck. My '48 F1 was going to get a Chevy transplant ( if you know me and my stash you'd understand why) but I'm tempted to plow new ground (for me) and explore the possibility of Caddy power. I'll keep reading

Frank

 

For everyday driveing the 500 will be a kick in the ***. I'm putting a 383 stroker in my 48- it fits like it was supposed tio be there.

 

Personally, I think you could never be more satisfied with a Caddy. The power is amazing. It would require a lot of work to a small block to achieve stock performance of a Cad. Also, the wow factor. You can't go wrong. Good luck.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I have never measured it but I will for you. The truck loaded with everyday gear for work and a heavy (..did I say heavy??) foot I get right about 11. Considering that the stock 6 was pushing maybe 120hp it was only getting arount 11. So with 3-4 times the power and the same mileage I'm happy at this point. I'm striving for 13-15.

I may get more if I would drive it like a normal person.

That would be cool. Keep us posted.




******Knuckles

 

"Beefy"





******Knuckles

 

It yanked this ****er around with ease.





I have to check with the machine shop today on the heads. Will keep you posted.


******Knuckles