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

Thank you. I’ll be sure to double check the assembly of the rockers. I’ll retorque, say a little prayer and give it a whirl….

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/331-cadillac-engine-build-looking-for-insight.1251911/

Another new one.

 

331 Timing thread.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/51-cadillac-331-timing.1270694/

 

I love this Thread!

 

Here's some info on the Hydro trans. a friend of mine had a Hilborn injected 49 Olds. he made a foot operated pedal to control the pressure valve instead of the linkage to injectors. It burned the tires on every shift !

 

Got the rockers back yesterday and started for the first time. Fired right up and sounds so smooth. I had to fabricate a bracket for the alternator, the factory exhaust manifold bracket put it sticking out to far into the inner fender. My bracket is not pretty. Has anyone found any aftermarket brackets that work or any nicer set ups?

 

Nice. Glad to see it.

 

When I first fired up the 365 on the run stand I was disappointed on how quiet it was even with only 2ft pipes off the manifolds.
Otherwise smooth as and quiet internals, a great feeling.

 

So I have been wondering what guys are getting for gas mileage ? I know new they were only rated at like 12. But back then gas was .50c/gal….

 

Gas mileage or smiles per mile? I prefer to gauge mine in the latter

 

At $5 gal you may have to…..

 

I'm running Studebaker rocker arms and solid lifters.

 

I have a set, but who knows where they are…

 

Worst I've gotten is 10 mpg, going mostly uphill... best is 16, going mostly downhill. 390 with dual AVS carbs, Isky 270H cam in my '40 with 3.78 gears. Usually get about 11 to 11-1/2 just driving around.

 

That’s about what I figured. Hoping the 6 speed will gain me a couple.

 

I owned a '57 Coupe DeVille from 1984-1992.
It had a 365 with a Rochester 4-Jet.
I was just looking at my records (gas, oil, repairs, etc) from when I owned it. The worst mileage for a tank of gas I ever got was 7.5. The best was 12.7. Overall, I typically got 10-12 mpg depending on how and where I was driving it.

 

Just trying to decide whether to save the 390 for a light roadster. The 36 may get a 301.

 

Hell, that's what I get driving my bangers with my foot all the way down its throat... pissing off everyone behind me on the two lane

 

Ha ha….

 

Umm, Respectively No. The Caddy will rekindle the fire that your soul most desperately needs. Think Gravy Sandwich ..

 

That’s what my OT 2002 F150 gets with all that fancy computer stuff.

 

ok. So looking for some advice:
I got the rockers back and installed and it started right up but was getting a ton of water and steam out the drivers side tail pipe. I did a quick compression check and seemed low in all 4 cylinders on that side (110-120). I think I saw bubbles in radiator but wasn't 100% sure. I probably should have just tried to retorque the head bolts but I got over zealous and removed the head today.

I don't see anything obviously wrong with the head gasket or the head itself. There is only about 15 minutes of run time on this motor. The rebuild process for this motor is a long story with multiple shops going out of business so it took about 2.5 years for me to get the motor back. In other words I don't have great documentation on what all was done to the motor and heads.

I'm wondering if I should just try to install a new head gasket and see if that was the issue or if I should take the head in to a cylinder head shop and have them check it out? Just wondering what you guys would do.

 

While you have that head off I'd look it over very carefully... they have been known to crack. Also check the deck and head surface for warpage.

 

Ok. I don’t see anything as far as what is visible. And a straight edge across the surface lies flat….

 

Interesting that it was all 4 holes….makes me wonder about the head gasket.

 

Right. Maybe I put a new gasket in, torque it and do a compression test with just the starter. If the compression looks good then reassemble the whole thing. Can I do a decent compression check with just the starter? Not sure I've done that before. I did notice some noise when I put my ear to the valve cover... Like the noise your tongue makes when you click it off the roof of your mouth.... I'm assuming that a really poor sealed head gasket is going to give you some funny noises....

 

ah. Ok. Thank you.