Hot Rods Let's talk Cadillac 331's, 365 and 390's

Dick Kroeber in Bartlesville has a nice little 331 with two fours on his Model A coupe; he might be a source of info

 

I've been looking at those.

 

I know Dick. I met him when I was building the Fleetline.

 

Great thread, lots of info and references. I am also putting together a '61 vintage 390" to install in my '34 3-window. My coupe had a 331" Caddy in it when I acquired it in 1973 and I replaced it with a SBC a couple years later. It currently has a 4-71 blown 350" SBC. Luckily I left the frame mounts intact so it will be a pretty simple task to switch back.

The engine I'm building is in great shape with a standard crank and .020 overbore. I'm using a custom grind Schneider camshaft which they made for me on a new blank. It's a little more aggressive than the grinds noted above with 288 duration and .488 lift on both intake and exhaust. For an intake I'm using a '57 Eldorado 2X4 manifold with 500 cfm AFB carbs. The stock heads will receive a mild port clean up and use Sanderson headers.

One fact that has not been mentioned that can be an issue is the full flow oil filter on the '59 to '62 engines. The factory filter adapter bolts to the right rear of the block and will run right into the frame x-member on most early Ford frames, especially if you have your engine set back from stock like mine is. I am going to have to remote mount my filter. Anyone know of a remote oil filter adapter for the 390"?

 

I'm not sure if he is still making them or not. Although, I bought them through Ebay, he's here on The HAMB. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/members/bellboy.147832/

Also, here's a video you might enjoy.

 

Torkwrench, Is that Marcus' old car? He was a Cadillac man.
Skydiver, that's some good info. I may be removing the X member anyway to make room for some other stuff. I will have to keep that in mind.

 

If I recall correctly the distributor is up front on the 63 390, as is the fuel pump (down low) and the oil filter. With those out of the way the swap gets easy. I guess if there's no kool induction for those it's a bummer but even with memories "exceeding" truth a bit that was a badass engine. It's big brother, the 429, another monster with longevity well beyond most. I get it, engine dress is important so the new gen 390 (and last one) is a stepchild, but the stepchild that dished out a lot of beatings.

 

I am running in a fresh 390 with an Isky 262H cam installed. I also did a little bit of head work (nothing radical, just a tidy up), installed tripowers and also opened up the cast exhaust manifolds to suit 2 1/4" pipes (easy). The idle is good and it definitely has more pep than a standard engine. Can't wait to have some miles on it so I can see what it can really do.

 

Root, there is also a Caddy social group

 

Oh really? I'll check it out.

 

Hello,

Been running my 37Cabriolet with the 365 with Isky roller, Mallory Magspark, Crager 3 x 2, Edelbrock covers and
a T-5 with 8" Ford. Drive the crap out of it with 23mpg on trips. Had to have Isky regrind the cam as I lost a lifter. Also Jahns pistons and isky adjustable arms. All parts are old original and were raced in a 40 coupe back in the day.
Any questions as I have all the old specs.

Skip

 

Very cool.

 

I swear 365/390's run better with multicarb then stock. Bloody stock carbs are a nightmare on these things, single slightly more modern 4 barrel on a new manifold is worlds better but multicarb and they wake up and for some reason IMO. I find they need much more air cleaner surface then you would think.

 

I totally agree. The air cleaners on the carbs were supplied with the carbs, and IMO are a bit of a joke (they would be great on a Corolla). I have leant on the pedal a couple of times and the engine feels like it has asthma.

I am in the process of trying to upgrade to 7" x 4.5" rectangular filters to let it breathe a bit. I really wish sellers would read emails rather than assume and ship the wrong stuff halfway around the world.

 

Sorry, I't a Edelbrock 3 X2. Polished clean back in the day. Anyone have a single Edelbrock valve cover for sale?

 

Almost nothing is 4.5 or 4 7/32 really now. Had to cut something down on the lathe at work to make it work, I hate the look of the aftermarket stuff on my 57 but I just swap back on the factory oil-bath if I am going to a show. For general use I got the biggest 4 inch tall that I could and it will still pull less vacuum with it off then on.

 

So, if the distributor is in the rear, there is no chance of it being a 63/64 390 or 429 correct? I found one on CL but the guy says it is a 64. Just making sure I don't get an orphan.

 

Good deal.

 

looks like a 365. my 57 model had those valve covers.

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

That will work too. I bought it for $200. Picking it up tomorrow. Hope it's a good core.

 

decent price for a core--I think that's what I paid for my last one

late late 61 and 62 390 has a spin on oil filter on the passenger side. 365 and early 390 toilet paper style. hard to distinguish externally otherwise.

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1960 was the first year of the spin on filter

 

I have tried to look at the pics and I can't see the oil filter either way. I'm taking off at lunch and driving down to pick it up. I'll know more by this evening.

 

The filter isn't on, but the filter assembly is on the passenger's side of the block. Also, there is a number stamped on the block just behind the driver's side head: The first two digits indicate the model year. This one, for example, is a 1962 390

 

In my opinion, i believe that it is a 1960-1962 390ci. Good luck!

 

I read somewhere that some of the 62s had flat top pistons. Does anyone know more about this ?