im looking for a new motor, and i know someone whos got both of these, any preferences.. im putting it in a 48 Chevy coupe, i know the caddies got power, but just wondering what you guys think
48 chevy, igot one of those (but i'm going with an sbc, lame.) i'd say either of those motors would be cool, and seems to me that the cad would be the cheaper choice.
read your profile, mines a stylemaster 2dr sedan, not to many stylemasters around usually there are just fleetmasters
If the 401 is of the early variety that came with a Dynaflow trans, go with the Caddy. I think 64 or 65 was the end of Dynaflow/beginning of Turbo 400. Otherwise, just pick the one that's cheaper or runs better.
If it was an open hood car, I'd say stick with nailhead. But, with over 500 ft lbs of torque, the 472 would be my choice for your car. The caddy definitely has more torque than a nailhead. They were designed to pull 7000lb cars down the road. Just my 2 cents, Karl
In a 47-48 Chebby? The Nailhead for sure! Them cars aren't all that heavy, and either motor would make for reliable cruising power, but I think the 401 would look alot cooler, and would likely FIT better as well. Tranny choices could be an issue as mentioned if you need the Dynaflow trans, but there's plenty of those out there if you look...I wouldn't let that alone stop ya from runnin' the Buey motor!
Even if the 401 is a DynaFlow car the tranny is simple, you can pick up a SP/ST400 from a later Nailhead equipped car cheap, it's TH400 internals. Make sure you get the Flexplate as well. And then you can get a bushing from Carmen Faso and voila it's in.... Likely the Nailhead will be an easier fit as it's a more narrow motor but the Caddy would still be cool...
FNG here, We recently put a 500 Cad in our 32' highboy, and it has been great so far. Plenty of power, marginally heavier than a SBC, cools with a manual fan, and thus far reliable. Tough choice between the two, but you probably can't go wrong with either engine.
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