anyone ever do this? Anyone know where the exhaust manifold dumps. middle or rear of manifold? Anyone know what type tramsmissions are a bolt on? Just a very possible p***ing thought for a build, also with aluminum heads they are even lighter than most v8 motors, anyone ever know that. A little wider and higher though. Stan
Turbo 400 trans (bop pattern on bellhousing) was stock. Most I have seen seem to have a rear dump on the manifold. Check Von Burkes thread- the best 55 caddy build for a lot on installing one of these engines as well as being a great read on it's own. Jim
425 oil pans fit...and they are rear sump...stock exhaust manifolds exit rear at both sides...and "Von Burke's build" happens to be mine (thanx anyway jetnow1)...he just put a few threads together for me... Go here to see it : http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329070&highlight=the+best+55+caddy+build R- PS, I have a couple of stock exhaust manifolds I'll sell if you need them.
I suppose it would be possible given unlimited time, money and talent. Then of course, it would help if your father owned a gas station when it came time to fill the tank and drive it. If you really want to put a Caddy in something there are a hundred better choices than a 1950 Plymouth. On the other hand, if you like the 1950 Plymouth there are lots easier engines to put in there than the Cadillac.
Well said. It can certainly be made to work but at first guess I'd say it ain't gonna be easy. Of course, if it were easy everybody would do it. How's your fab skills?
I'd bet, with as light a body as the Plymouth is, he'll be p***ing more gas stations than I do in my '55 Caddy...and talk about torque...better find some good tires...!!! Of course, back in the good ol' days, putting a Caddy in a Plymouth was child's play...and I look at it this way...why not be different...??? That's why I built my Cadillac...it's different than a whole gaggle of '55-57 Chevies in one spot...not every rod run you go to has a ton of Cadillacs...be an individual... R-
500 blocks are awesome! Part of hotroding is doing what is not considered normal! Stick with it, will be an amazing car I bet I have a 472 that I will put in to my 55 chev truck.. Hopefully next summer. We will see if tht deadline happens lol
I'll bet Swaluda is happy to know putting a 500 Caddy in a 1950 Plymouth is child's play. Here I thought it might be difficult, knowing the problems people have run into putting much smaller engines in them. Now all he needs are complete instructions and parts list, which I am sure you can furnish, plus of course a child to help him do the job.
YOU obviously didn't read my post very well Rusty...here, let me put it up again so you can: Of course, back in the good ol' days, putting a Caddy in a Plymouth was child's play.. Note I said 'back in the good ol' days." Nowadays, that kind of information is lost what with everyone using SBC's and Fords in everything... Well, I can't say how difficult YOU think it is. Nope, can't help with any of it, .(including the child )...he's on his own...I did offer a pair of exhaust manifolds..he's the one that's building it, not me. Besides, I'd have to have things go exactly my way...I'm a very hard taskmaster but thanx for your words of encouragement... that's what makes the hot rod world go 'round. R-
WTF is that about. It can be done but the amount of work is stargging The fire wall will need to be cut a R> 383/440/ is a killer tight fit. The fender wells will have to be kicked out as there in the way. the manifolds will work as they tuck under makeing the needed room for the sreering box. doable yes but hard but would run fast as hell. best of luck.
OK so I'm wrong.... it really is easy..... nobody can tell you how to do it, they just know it's easy... or used to be easy, back in the good ol' days (before the 500 Caddy was invented) but now isn't so easy. Glad we cleared that up. By the way... I hate to admit it but of the V8 swaps I have seen in pre 55 Plymouth and Dodge cars, the Chev fits the easiest.
I have been slowly working to put a 472 into a 1949 desoto and I have found that it fits quite well. I think my desoto is about 2 inches longer in the front than a Plymouth so that helps. If you switch to a rear sump oil pan and mount the engine so that the crank pulley ends up about 2 inches higher than the 218(?) that came out that should solve most of your clearance issues. The caddy engine also needs to go approx 4 inches to the p***enger side IIRC its been a while since I had a tape measure on it. Add custom headers and you should be well on your way to get it in there. The oil pump and filter is the only BIG problem. I actually cut down and welded an aluminum oil pump so I could use right angle pipe fittings and a remote oil filter so I didnt have to cut the cross member. I havent run that setup yet so I dont know if it will work. I am not done yet so I cannot offer advise about water pump/fan issues or the stock pedal locations.
the 318 went in my 52 plymouth in about a week. not alot of work. tight around the trans hump area on the drivers side. the manifold was redone to help in that area. the mans asking for help thats what this page is about help. and to that this will be a hell of alot of work I agree the trans opening will be very tight. the area around the master will be an issue. the wheel wells will have to be cut way back as they bolt to the lower frame. the coresupport will need lots of work to fit the front of the motor. you will need to bring the motor up in the bay to clear the pan then your back to the trans tunnel again. in other words its not going to be easy but it can be done and i wish you luck.
Sorry for the mis id- I did a search on the thread and his came up first. The car and the entire thread are incredible and I am not even much of a custom guy- though there are a couple of threads on the HAMB that could convert me!
Good source of info CAD500PARTS.COM A 1970 Coupe Deville 472 has been in my COE over 20 years: I used Eldorado exhaust manifolds for better clearance, there is a big difference. On the COE I have them switched side to side and upside down. There is a tight clearance oil pump, pic of it on the Cad500 site.
Yesterday I drove a 1949 Chrysler Windsor with the original flathead six. Have never owned a 57 Chev in my life and have no plans to. I'm not a big Chev fan but prejudice does not blind me to the truth. I have seen several V8 swaps into pre 1950 MoPars and the Chev goes in easiest. I don't like it but it is the truth.
Fab Skills, whats that? Can i make it work? You Bet. Almost sounds like a rap song. No, Seriously.. Time wise ,im retired and have all the time i need. I fiqure if i originally wanted to sbc it that i would have lots of fab work anyway. Kind of ( How do you eat an Elephant ) One bite ay a time. Yeah, a Hell of a lot of work. Not just the motor, we (I) also have Rocker Panel, Floor pan replacement, Body Mounts, Rear Axle replacement, complete rewire to 12 volt ( fortunately i'm a master electrician by trade) complete interior redo, including dash and guages. On and On and On. Yeah, thats what im gonna do though. I have a brother in Colo Springs. if i need those exhaust manifolds i/ll let u know. I'm in Honduras right now and wont be able to hit the project again until May. Just lining up my ducks. Seems like most of u guys like the idea. With some nice aluminum heads and a slight motor modification, it should be one hell of a unit. Thanks, Stan
A company named Bulldog, good for 700 horse and with the aluminum heads you come in weighing less than a sbc with the cast heads on it. Stan
Your best bet is a small block mopar w/ a 904 trans and a A Body driver side exhaust manifold you will still have to do a little "shaving" of the p*** side firewall not much though, Those in frame springs are tight...If you sub frame it you got loads of room I think a caddy in a mopar will give it a real narrow resale market Good luck either way!