Caddy people, help!!

My friend and I are building a 1953 Coupe De Ville, the origional 331 is seized and he has a 74 Sedan De Ville for a parts car, we are going to put the 500(i think its a 500) out of the '74 into the '53 but I was wondering if anyone here has done somthing like this before and can tell us what needs to be done fabrication wise... is there anything that 2 teenagers and a 110 mig welder cant handle?

Also, will a stock '53 Caddy rearend hold up to a stock 500? im putting the 12-bolt into my 41 GMC, with the full 74 rear suspension if it can.

 

Can't say I've done that swap before, but Caddy kept the same basic engine design for a lot of years...no reason the late model won't fit...might have to worry about changing exhaust headers and building a new******* mount, but if you guys are even halfway up on common sense (and build savvy) you shouldn't have any problems.

The Caddy rear ends are virtually bullet proof...a bigger Caddy engine doesn't make that much more torque than the 331 so don't think you'd have a problem with that either.

Hope this helps...go for it...good luck with the build and post some pix as you go along so that the other people that looked at this thread can learn something too.

R-

 

i know a guy who stuffed a 472 and TH400 into a '61 Coupe DeVille,the 390 that originally came in those is about the same size as a 331,so it should work.i can call him or dig up his phone # if you need to ask him some questions.BTW johndanger (hamb name) is looking for a cheap 331,he works at Quality automotive in santa cruz.i'll take the hydra-matic off your hands-george

 

Jeez, George. How many early hydro's do you need?

Leave some for the rest of us!

 

I'm puttin a 71 500 in my 50 merc, it will take a little fab but shouldn't be to hard to handle. They are just really wide motors so inner fenders and headers may be a consern. Good motors to hop up, intake, carb, and headers will give you about 125-150 more horsepower. good luck

 

[ QUOTE ]


Leave some for the rest of us!

[/ QUOTE ] i don't need it,just making sure it don't go on the scrap heap!

 

74 Deville doesn't have a 500 unless someone in the past did a swap. It was strictly a Eldo motor until 75 & 76.