I have dilemma trying to decide whether to put a 283 I have that needs a rebuild first in my 32 tudor or whether to put a stock 56 Cadillac with a edmunds intake with two two barrels. Which one should I use and why. On one hand I know the reliabilty factor of the 283 but the Cadillac has a great cool factor. This car is gonna be my daily ride along with my truck when finshed but it will get driven alot so I wanted to also know about the reliability of the Cad motor. Also has anyone put a Cadillac motor in a 32 and will the factory exhaust manifolds work or will I have to have some kind of custom made headers. Thanks in advance for the opinions as it is time to decide which road I'm taking.
I would definetly go with the Caddy mill. SBC's are great engines, but theres no alternative to the other early OHV engines that were more popular back then. It might take a little more work but in the end it will be worth it. Good luck! -Dean
caddy engine way is coool BUT a 283 goes in easier, more dependable, cheaper to run, REASLE, you can stop anywhere & get a starter or fuel pump... & a 283 can look really good all dressed up. id say a fresh 283!
I think the cad is cool but the chevy is a great motor it's cheap, cool speed parts reasonable, powerful and proven !! I'm no chevy guy but if your looking to get her on the road and enjoy. I have to say SBC. I'm having the same problem with my chassie I'm working on, only diffrence is Hemi or chevy..
I never knew anyone who drove a Caddy who pondered..."Gee, I'd like to visit my friends but I'm afraid to drive my car 'cuz it doesn't have a SBC in it"....Actually , in the 50's I lived next door to an old coot who bought a new Caddy every year...another neighbor bought a new '56 Chevy 210 two door with a power pack 265...the Caddy guy always asked the Chevy guy when he was gonna put a REAL engine in that Chevy....
Hey Deuce - How's it going with the decision??? I'd run the caddy just for cool, you can always getter towed home to get parts togther and drive the truck. How's that puppy treating ya? I know an old guy looking for a old caddy motor if you decide on something else and need some dough. I am sure you want to keep it, just thought I'd put it out there.
Jeez, what a question ! You can be like 7 million other guys and put a sbc in a deuce or do it in the true spirit of the HAMB and go with the old Cad. Had several early Cads in the early 60's and never had any engine problems. They were all still running when I drove them to the scap yard cause the rest of the car was falling apart around my ears ! The biggest problem you're likely to have is keeping rear tires on your car.
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