Here goes... Tell me the good and the BAD of a caddy 472 motor... Here's the story... I've been looking for a BIG motor for my '57 chevy p/u project... Just found a 472 out of a 1974 caddy (I think it's from a deville) locally for $400... no tranny... Someone tell me good idea or bad... what are the pitfalls... The $400 doesn't really scare me (unless you guys think that's outrageous) BUT what I'm worried about are OTHER costs; problemns with fit in my chevy... Thanks, Tim
yo... i think this site will explain everything youll need for now. http://www.cad500parts.com/ theres another one in wisconsin, cant find it in my links.. if you search google for cadillac hi perf you will run across it, or someone here will have it.. there are engine mount kits available, pretty easy swap when it comes to chevys
i dont think there are any pitfalls for these engines in stock form... but if you plan on using it in rpm ranges 5500 and higher, youll need to beef up the valvetrain without a doubt. these motors are perfect for towing, and you can find them in running condition for dirt cheap stock to somewhat perf parts are affordable... slightly more expensive than a bbc... but hi perf parts start to get a bit more pricey
The 472 is a smaller 500. Very reliable torque monster that would work REALLY well in a truck! Speed parts aren't exactly commonplace, but the engine is a very good one as GM built it. Mounting it in your truck will involve the same basic stuff that ANY custom swap entails. You'll need a tranny that works with the engine, you'll need to buy or make motor mounts to position the engine in the chassis, and you'll need to acquire and install all of the neccessary 'support items' such as a radiator, exhaust system, wiring, etc. (The cost on these items will be about the same no matter what engine you're usuing). The Caddy motors fit well into most GM chassis, and there are several companies that specialize in supplying mounts for popular and home-grown Caddy swaps. You shouldn't have too much trouble getting the 472 to work in your truck.
shouldn't be a problem fitting it in. You should be able to find a TH400 w/ a BOP bellhousing to fit it. If you want a manual tranny flywheels are hard to find used. But there are a couple of places they are available new. I don't know what they cost, but I bet they're not cheap. Headers are hard to find, Sanderson is overpriced but they have them. The stock manifolds can be ported or extrude honed if they're not enough for ya. Other than that it would be a tire burner.
As mentioned above the 472 in stock form will do the job well. DONT I repeat DONT wind it past 4500 in stock trim.You may get away with it once or twice but the rockers will fail.They werent made for RPMS. Rocker arm specialties in Cal makes them ask for Gary (530-378-1075) There about 300.00 with pushrods.This puts them on a shaft like Mopars and Ford FEs. If you get the rockers a MT 10 cam from max torque specialties and a Edelbrock performer then add freeflowing exhaust you will have a 12 sec truck that you can tow racecars with!.There are sets of chrome shortie headers on E-Gay I saw go for 125.00 they look like sandersons for half the price.Im building a mild 519 cu in Cad for My Brothers 50 Merc more door.With little effort it makes 450 HP and 612 ft lbs torque! Parts are spendy but the motors are cheap and $ for $ will beat up a BBC.--Feder
I read somewhere that the '74 472 is a one-of-a kind... Don't know if that's good or BAD (not in the good way but in the michael jackson with kids way)... ANYONE... can you confirm or deny??? Tim
[ QUOTE ] Headers are hard to find, Sanderson is overpriced but they have them [/ QUOTE ] a friend of mine got a set from sanderson for his 69 chevelle, ceramic coated for around $1k... REALLY expensive. i believe in the new R&C, theres a steering install tech article with a cad 500 in place with lakes pipes. looks real good. what is extrude honing? Hex - if you look at the site i posted and download their PDF catalogue it will give you the full run down of block sizes and block numbers
I think its the pistons. Ya cant get a direct replacement in std bore.Call Maximum Torque Specialties He can tell ya. Feder
74 is the only year that caddys used a true flattop piston, it has the same compression as the later75-76 motors only a different compression height. as far as the heads go there are only a few to choose from the 68-73 has a small closed chamber and the later is a large 120cc chamber, they can not be interchanged without drastic compression increase or desrease(like 7.1 to 13.1). one easy way to get the compression up is to use the later 425cad heads they are 94cc and brings them up to about 10.1comp. they do need some unshrouding to prevent detonation though. also big block chevs headers can easily be used on the caddys with a flange change. hope that helps, FED
Been there done that. Works grate however I went a step further and used the Sevill clip also. No Big Deal. Now, I have a deal for you. I have another complete running motor with tranny, pullys, fan, and carb. $450.00 The Wizzard.
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