Looking for a good flathead for my '29 Sport Coupe and ran across an ad on another place. Its a 48 flathead out of a Caddy but there really isn't any more information other than that to really dial it down. I've tried doing some searches and research with the info I have and am just really wondering if it is worth the drive to even take a look at it? Do any of you guys have any experience/knowledge on this kind of flat head? Any questions I should ask the guy selling it? Is it worth it? I really want to keep my rod mid-50s traditional and I'm sorry if this is an asinine question but my research has just come up with nothing. Please help me out H.A.M.B. Gods! Here's what the ad said, maybe it'll help you guys.... "1948 cadillac flat head v8. Engine is complete from air cleaner to fuel pump. 69,000 original miles. My grandparents bought the car in 1955. Engine was last ran 1992. Engine turns over. This was the engine the military put in M5 tanks during WWII. Only problem with motor is two broken head bolts which occured last week while removing bolts to hook up engine hoist." And here are the pics attached with it.
How about this for starters: Flathead Cadillac Hot Rod links and Information.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> FlatCaddy.com is a one stop shop for all speed equipment related to flathead Cadillac’s.<o></o> http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-332457-p-2.html http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447258 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-667844.html http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=674729 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332457 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-213989.html http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/490.cfm http://www.egge.com/site/?d=48&dt=1&SubCategoryId=11 http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/forum/index.php?topic=3560.0 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=375735 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311796 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372173 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=292337 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344699 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312928 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=295475 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273395 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278364 <o> </o> You can also email or PM me thru the HAMB message board if you have any questions, Russ.<o></o> <o> </o>
At first look your engine does infact appear to be a 1946-48 model going by the heads. The 1948 is the last of the flathead engines and is probably the best you will find. The engine stand you have must be pretty darn good to hold all that weight, I'd never risk storing my engine on a stand like that. If you go ahead with the purchase there are a couple of options for transmissions including companies who make adapters to suit later model stuff including automatic trannys should you so choose. Whether you decide to buy this engine or not is your choice obviously. They are becoming more popular as a choice for a hot rod power plant since parts and information are easier to source and these days. In most part this has been thru the efforts of a number of dedicated HAMB members. As long as the price is right, I would suggest buy it. Potentially there are a number of items on the engine which you may choose to disregard during your hot rod build which are potentially resaleable to others. Good luck and keep us informed as to your decisions and progress. Lastly, dont hesitate to post any further question you may have regarding these engines or related stuff as there is now a lot of knowledge here on the HAMB that surely will help make life a little easier.
You'll like the Caddy. Speed parts are a little scarce but findable...heck build your own. Forget tran adapters. Run a 4 speed hydro that came with it. B&M built a lot of bullet proof ones that took huge horsepower on the strip [still run one in my 1945 Ford-mobile]. You can set the shift from soft and slow to neck snapping hard and fast. Built one in the 1960s that would go 0-90 in six seconds on the street and never had to worry about the trans going bad. Even ran one behind a hot RR motor ... but that's another story.
You'll like the Caddy. Speed parts are a little scarce but findable...heck build your own. Forget trans adapters. Run a 4 speed hydro that came with it. B&M built a lot of bullet proof ones that took huge horsepower on the strip [still run one in my 1945 Ford-mobile]. You can set the shift from soft and slow to neck snapping hard and fast. Built one in the 1960s that would go 0-90 in six seconds on the street and never had to worry about the trans going bad. Even ran one behind a hot RR motor ... but that's another story.
Read this thread, then let us know what you decide:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=496866 I would build a tranny adapter, and run a 5 speed behind the Caddy flathead.
Wow, thanks a lot guys! I figure for $350, based off of what you guys are saying and the links, it's a deal! I'm going to check it out tomorrow (today actually since its 4am) and hopefully it pans out. I just hope I can spot the things I need to!
A whole complete engine with some history is a pretty good deal at $350, especially if you dont have far to haul it. Go for it...
Try this as well a view of the Bendstens tranny adapter http://www.transmissionadapters.com/cad_early.htm They fit your year engine fine, just issues with the earlier years.
Took a look at the engine last night and going to pick it up today, I'll snap a few more pics of it in the garage for you guys. pretty stoked. Checked the oil and it was pretty dark, not all milky so I'm pretty sure it stayed clear of water too.
horrible pic, but I got her home. Put her on jack stands because I need longer/better bolts to put her on my engine stand. These jacks are solid though, the engine doesn't budge AT ALL when i push on it. She's definitely an elephant. Looks to be in really great shape fortunately, just in need of a lot of clean up. We'll see how it goes. My garage and the HAMB are going to be my new homes for the next while. If you guys don't mind me sending you random pm's with questions then I'll be doing that as well. I don't even know exactly where to start on this thing! HA! I'll keep you guys in the loop. I need to start a build thread soon anyway... Thanks again fellas!
I have a stock tranny for that motor out in thee garage if you need one. I also have extra exhaust, 2 extra intakes, a carb and a carb rebuild kit available.
Welcome to the Cadillac flathead club, with that engine and your good intent you are automatically a full member now.
thanks brother, but I don't have the money for that yet, not to mention shipping to washington would be crazy, haha!
Not currently as the recommended hot rod machine shop is backed up right now, so getting it hot tanked and magna fluxed anytime soon is a no go. I've just been trying to work on my frame build now and have been searching for a transmission within my cheap price range, haha... I might possibly have the opportunity to pick up a hydramatic from a 57 de ville, but was told today that it wouldn't work... sad-faced indeed...
No, don't use no damn Hydramatic! Use a 38-48 3 speed. Or, I can loan you my adapter after Bonneville, and you could use a late model 5 speed.
Hmmm... I thought the 38-48s were hydramatics? wait, no... nevermind... so confused... They were manual hydramatics, right?
h Hydramatics were automatic transmissions. Pick up a good stock 3 speed- that will be all the tranny you need. Or, copy my adapter, and use a modern 4 or 5 speed.
i need to go and read up on your build thread again, but from what I've seen, it seems that every tranny adapter built is way beyond my scope of tools/expertise... Would love to find a stocker though!
Quick question too, from what I've been reading, it seems that the lasalle side shift 3 speed is usable on this engine as well? its basically the same thing as the oem manual?
I still have the stock automatic tranny and torque converter that came with my '48 Caddy flathead if you need it.
Congrats on the flattie!!! Had a buddy in high school with one in a 33 Dodge coupe great car!.....but in a 29 you will have your work cut out for you getting it in there I think...... course I know that anythings possible even 550 hp out of one
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