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Hot Rods '54 caddy 331 engine...desirable? or junk?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by corndog, Feb 25, 2010.

  1. corndog
    Joined: Nov 27, 2007
    Posts: 4,761

    corndog
    Member
    from Indiana

    In my "junking" travels I have come across a disassembled 1954 331 V-8 engine. All the parts are there but both heads are cracked. All accesories like carb, intake, oil pan, distributor, etc are there. I was thinking about buying it to avoid it going to the scrap yard but I dont really need it and am wondering if anyone else does either? Clue me in HAMBERS!
     
  2. inkmunky
    Joined: Jun 29, 2009
    Posts: 537

    inkmunky
    Member

    From my research after i bought my 55, the 54 is the least desirable of the 331s. But still by no means not worth picking up

    BUY IT!!!
     
  3. r8odecay
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 784

    r8odecay
    Member

    Def worth snagging, i'd like to find similar to keep around for spare parts...building these motors can be expensive.

    cracked heads were common on the small port siamesed cneter exhaust 331s. You can find 390 heads to swap on, or some say '58 365 heads work best on the 331 bore. I went to 4" bore and 390 heads on my '51.
     
  4. Grab that 54 block they're getting scarce. That block can be bored out to make a 365 incher. You can use 390 heads and speed equipment is out there. Have any questions pm me.
     
  5. inkmunky
    Joined: Jun 29, 2009
    Posts: 537

    inkmunky
    Member

    If you want to get rid of it let me know :D
     
  6. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,990

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Heads aren't that hard to find. Also, you'll probably have better luck finding used flywheels and transmission adapters for the '49-'54 engines than the '55-'62 blocks.
     
  7. Sauli
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 499

    Sauli
    Member

    If the motor is really going in the scrapyard, and it´s price reflects that, then why not save it? Has to be of some use, whole or parts, for someone down the road, be it Yourself or someone else.
     
  8. Saxon
    Joined: Aug 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,155

    Saxon
    Member
    from MN

    (Deleted my earlier post because it was a highjack, sorry corndog) I'm a sucker for engines so I'd get it if the price was right.



    Hmmmm.... no plans yet. Have to get it first....

    Trade you for some inkwork!!!
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2010
  9. krooser
    Joined: Jul 25, 2004
    Posts: 4,583

    krooser
    Member

    Since you can't buy a new crate 331 at your local Caddy dealer I'd grab it...
     
  10. outlaw1949
    Joined: Oct 8, 2009
    Posts: 507

    outlaw1949
    Member

  11. 40StudeDude
    Joined: Sep 19, 2002
    Posts: 9,562

    40StudeDude
    Member

    My bro just rebuilt a '54 Caddy 331"...and rebuilt the Hydramatic behind it...it's back in his '54 Hardtop and gets 21 mpg on the highway...has plenty of power and easily cruises at 75 mph.

    If you decide to purchase it and sell parts, he would purchase the water pump from it...

    R-
     
  12. texasred
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 1,221

    texasred
    Member
    from Houston

    why is that
     
  13. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,990

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    ....because Cadillac changed the rear of the block in '55 to use a full bell housing, like a SBC (but not the same pattern). The '49-'54 blocks use the same flywheel and bell housing as '49-'64 Oldsmobiles.
     
  14. Torkwrench
    Joined: Jan 28, 2005
    Posts: 2,739

    Torkwrench
    Member

    I hope that they aren't junk, cause that's what I'm building for my 34 Chevy. :D:D:D
     
  15. Take the engine! Those are good, sturdy engines. Also, to my knowledge, I think it was the Cadillac 331 and the Olds 303 that started the horsepower race back in '49.
    When I bought my '56 Cad, the heads were shot. so, I put on some from a '58. I didn't do a complete overhaul. I only changed the piston rings. That was 6 years ago. 25000 miles later,the engine still going strong, with no oil burning. Yeah, good engines!
     
  16. ss34coupe
    Joined: May 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,260

    ss34coupe
    Member

    50's Cad engines look great in a traditional rod! Here's a 53 in a 33 Ford coupe I am currently building.
     

    Attached Files:

  17. r8odecay
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 784

    r8odecay
    Member


    Nice! what motor mounts are those?
     
  18. ss34coupe
    Joined: May 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,260

    ss34coupe
    Member

    The motor mounts are NOS Hurst mounts, an ebay find.
     
  19. adventurer
    Joined: Aug 1, 2006
    Posts: 385

    adventurer
    Member

    Is a Caddy engine dimensionally much larger than a Chevy sb? Thank you
     
  20. studillac tom
    Joined: Apr 20, 2011
    Posts: 12

    studillac tom
    Member

    I sure don't think Bill Frick felt they were junk when he built 53. 54. studilacs in 53/54. Does anyone know what the differants were between the 230hp 54 and the 250hp 55. 331 cu in. eng.
     
  21. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    According to one reference book I looked into, the '54 had 8.25 to 1 compression ratio vs 9.0 to 1, in '55 models. No other differences of consequence listed.

    Ray
     
  22. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    Spend a few hours cleaning and painting it for a display, 'till the actual build takes place.
     

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