Just introduced myself. In the planning stages for my 55'. I am thinking of installing an early Cadillac motor, maybe 390/500. My question is: Will a Cadillac motor install without any major modifications? Probaly will use a TH 350/400 tranny also. Any feedback is cool. Thanks!
Depends on what you mean by "major". Also depends on what 55 chevy truck you have, is it the 1st series (rounded) or 2nd series (good looking) truck? The earlier ones didn't come with a V8 and it's a bit more work to squeeze one in. Also on the engine/trans...the 390 cad is a neat motor, but a TH350or 400 won't bolt up to it.
Thanks for the reply. The truck is the second series. I want the truck to be a little different, that's why I was thinking about a Caddy motor. I'll keep planning this one out, but am leaning to the 390/500.
Welcome from a fellow NC'er. I'm right own the road in Concord. Alo have a '55 2nd series, haha! Our club, the Iron Lords, has a shop night every Wednesday on Church street in Concord around 6. Come by and say hey!
A 425, 472 or 500 all would make that truck scoot down the road and not be terribly expensive. Plus as Squirrel said the choices and availability of transmissions is a lot greater than it would be with the 390 as cool as it is. I've got a 500 and turbo 400 set to go in my 71 GMC in the real near future for more pulling power.
if you must do the 390 cad TH 400 thing I believe Bendstens adapters makes something. I looked at them once for my 59 cad after the Hydro seized.
I purchased my 55 big window with a 472/400 in it. The guy before me had done a really horrible job putting it in. Most 472/500's come with the front sump oil pan so that needs to be addressed otherwise it will sit waaay too high in the engine compartment. Finding the correct rear sump oil pan is expensive. You will need to fabricate engine brackets and probably need to relocate or fabricate a tranny cross member. The Caddy engine is very wide so it will be difficult to keep the exhaust manifolds from hitting the frame. I looked it over every way and decided to ditch it for a Chevy, but if you want to go Caddy then no problem, just be aware of these issues.
Funny how all the Task Force guys swarm when a new tri-five truck project appears, eh? Like sharks smelling blood in the water. Your project sounds great - I like out of the box thinking. 500 Caddy would give you all the torque in the world and be a sweet street truck! Keep us posted.
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