331 Cadillac With Manual Trans

Dyce · Jan 22, 2012

Dirtyest Devil said: ↑

Great thread, thanks all!

I am looking for a trans for my 49 caddy engine that will go in my 34 roadster.
This thread has some great info.
I have been on the hunt for a top shift lasalle. But I would love to hear from any early caddy engine owner whom swears by their set up. With a small child in the house, house work, and restoring a truck at moment for a customer, my personal build time is very calculated, and limited. So I'd like to do this once, and be happy with what I piece together. If anyone has a nice trans they don't need, please pm me.

I have a friend willing to offer up a 3 speed Olds with a short tail shaft. What a guy! I own all the adapt. and pieces for a 39 Ford trans with good original Zephyr gears. Have the gears, just don't have a case yet. But that is any easy find with my early Ford pals. I was also thinking early Muncie 4 speed? I do have a fresh T5 in the shop leftover from a job, but really enjoy old style builds... And like to keep this build vintage. But I also want a practical driver! I drive my hopped up banger a few hrs from home, but I'd like to drive this car to the L.A. Roadster show at some point and back.

Thanks for any leads, info, or help! Again, great thread!
Click to expand...

I plan on running a Muncie now. Check this thread out.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=660536
I havn't finished it yet because I'm not 100% sure which trans I want to run, but the muncie will bolt up by drilling new holes and machining an extended piolet bearing.

Dyce · Jan 22, 2012

Rusty O'Toole said: ↑

Minor rust pitting in a cylinder is nothing to worry about. Years ago I knew an old mechanic who rebuilt an International truck engine during WW2. The truck had been sitting outside with the head off and the cylinders were rusted. Parts were not available so he honed the cylinders installed new rings and put the engine together.

He said it ran well but burned a little oil for the first 1000 miles then settled down and ran like a good one.

Several years later he had the head off for a valve job, he said the cylinders were polished smooth but the pits were still visible, filled level with hard carbon.

So long as the pits are not big enough to snag the rings you should be OK.

Have seen other engines like yours that were stuck and had a circle of rust spots where the piston came to rest. It was the same story, hone the cylinders install new rings and it was fine.

Now this is if you want to put the engine together on the cheap and use it in a street rod. If you mean to hop it up and spend a lot of money on a rebuild that is different.

But a 51 Caddy with 3 speed trans would be great in a light weight rod, just like it was in the original Kooky car.
Click to expand...

This block has a cracked sleeve though. The sleeve is about $45.00 and I can do it myself. I have a 392 hemi I sleeved all 8. I know what you mean about the pits filling up. I've seen some nasty **** that ran.

dhutch4 · May 6, 2012

Hi I have two nice Hurst Caddy/LaSalle floor shift setups. Let me know if you, or someone you know, needs-
Doc in Florida
(dhutch4@yahoo.com)

FatDaddy53 · Jan 29, 2013

i just picked up a 331 with an adapter plate to a 49 merc 3 speed overdrive trans

rod1 · Jan 30, 2013

I could sure use a flywheel.

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331 Cadillac With Manual Trans

Dyce
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from Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dyce
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from Sioux Falls, S.D.

dhutch4
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from Florida

FatDaddy53
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from stockton,ca

rod1
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from grand junction,co

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331 Cadillac With Manual Trans

Dyce Member from Sioux Falls, S.D.

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Dyce
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from Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dyce
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from Sioux Falls, S.D.

dhutch4
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from Florida

FatDaddy53
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from stockton,ca

rod1
ALLIANCE MEMBER

from grand junction,co