Tech....bbc install in a 53 caddy

I just got back from House of Fab who is going to make me a new gas tank. The front wheel cylinder is leaking so I will be replacing that. I replaced the fan with a 18 inch mechanical fan from derale .I posted a video on you tube of the car in the driveway. If someone could post it for me that would be great . Its listed as 1953 caddy with BBC 454. Its my first time posting on youtube. I also removed the old gas line I had cut back. Still plugging away.

 

Dave built my gas tank too! Did a great job on it.

 

Here's a link for the video----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hHSe_uZS38

Lookin' good

 

Thanks Dan I am still a computer dummy.

 

Well I am almost done. I finished up the front sheetmetal for the radiator. I used a 4 inch pancake fan for the heat/ defroster. I lost the airbox because the altenater is in the way now. New heater hoses are ran. All the brakes are bled. the drivers side wheel cylinder was replaced. The gas tank started seeping where the line fitting goes into the tank. I tried some tank seal puddy but it still leaked. House of Fab is making me a new tank. I had him put in a return fitting so I will be running a return style regulator. It is almost Identical to the reg I am using now. The 3/8 line I already have will be the return line and plumb a new 1/2 inch line for the supply. Later on I will have enough fuel If I want MORE power.Once the tank is installed The exhaust will be but on and she will be rolling down the road. already have insurance and tags so I am chomping at the bit to get it done

 

I drove the Caddy tonight One of my daughters has been hounding me to drive her to church so I took her tonight. Both of us were all smiles. Once I get the new gas tank I will post up the final pictures and close this old thread. It feels great to go out and be able to drive it. Such an awesome feeling. I cant put an exhaust on until the tank is done. darn.. Have to drive around with open headers. Thanks again to everyone that has helped me.I just wished it didnt take so long. I wil see everyone on saturday at Joe Smith open house.

 

I went on my first offical road trip yesterday . I met up with ClutchDumping Dan and we drove down I-95 to Joe Smith open house. The car drove great open headers singing their song.had a great time there. Saw some awesome cars and met some really great people. then after that I drove over to a crusing spot on 301 then hammered home after that back up 95 made it home with no problems. I picked my gas tank that HOUSE OF FAB made for me It turned out beautiful.its almost too nice for my car

 

Great you got to drive the Caddy...sounds like it was a long rip...

LOL...you keep forgetting...it's a Cadillac, there's nothing is too nice for a Caddy...

Congrats on getting her out on the hiway...

R-

 

Nice to hear that your headin down the home stretch on this project. Hope you get many enjoyable miles out of it, and you don't go through to many tires!!

 

Thanks guys, with the new power its going to be alot of fun to drive.I will post up some picture of the gas tank later on this week momma has me pretty busy. Not sure of the tire useage yet but I have verified that 255/70-15 fits nicely in the back already but they will be whitewalls.

 

The gas tank and exhaust didnt get done this week so I wont be driving her to Maxton I decided I didnt want to rush everything and have something that was missed or done wrong so I will start on the tank next week after I get back. She is really fun to drive with the big block

 

Too bad ya didn't get the exhaust done for this weekend, but it sure looks good! Congrats on the project, way cool.

Brian

 

Thanks Brian is the pic in your avitar taken at the shell station at the Gilmore museum?? That is an awesome place.Its gonna kill me not taking the Caddy but I though about it real hard. everthing has turned out nice so far . it will have to wait.

 

She's looking good!

 

Hey resqd37Zep How are you coming on your Caddy ?? is the chop all done?

 

It's coming aorund. Switched gears and figured I better get the ch***is and drivetrain ****oned up and then finish the body off. I started doing all the mods to the original ch***is and just wasn't quite satisfied. Went out and oredered up a Art Morrison Air ride ch***is. Still waiting for it's arrival. Here's a picture of my friend Jay next to the body. It's sitting about 5 inch's higher than it will be when it's back on the frame. I'm about 6ft 1 or so, so getting in and out will be a treat. Thats where suicide doors come in handy.
Your motor swap came out great. I still dig the idea you had for the puke can. I follow a lot of build threads but this is one I always come back to more than the others. Keep up the good work!

James

 

Man thanks for the vote of confidense. If you are putting on the art morrison ch***is on her . She will be one bad *** ride when you are done . I want to put one on my 52 when I redo her but the cost is holding me back. I know what you mean about redoing stuff there is ALOT of ripple effect. Take your time It will all work out in the end. Please keep me posted on your car.

 

Well I have the old gas tank removed. I added a new gas regulator that has a return output because I added a return port to the new tank. The 3/8 inch line that was plumbed first is now the return line and ran a new 1/2 line for the supply. The regulator is the same body as the other one. the return line is in the same spot as the supply of the other. The HOUSE OF FAB made me a new gas tank which turned out beautiful. I have test fitted it and will work out quite nicely. Tomorrow I am having the straps made up. after that new fuel lines form the tank to the fuel pump and the short return lin also. after that the exhaust will go on. The new tank measures out to 25.4 gallons.

 

a couple more shots of the tank

 

I had to pull the tank . The return line fitting is hitting the differential so I am going to add another hole so everything clears.when the tank was built I told Dave to put a fitting on the front of the tank in no specific place of course the one place that would cause interference was where it was put. He did a beautiful job on the tank and added the additional bung gladly.

 

Double Caddy, Congrats on the 454 install! I dig the time you have put into the project & the updates.. I am swapping the 390 for a 454 in my 63 Coupe Deville, I have the 454 engine already torn down & ready for re***embly... Cant wait to get it in. Thanks for the info!

Craig

 

Thanks tacster , If you have any questions just let me know . I will be glad to help in any way.

I got my tank back from HOUSE OF FAB who added another fitting plus in the fitting I had him run a tube to the bottom of the tank to keep the fuel from cavitating causing alot of air bubbles when the tank was getting low. Which will be happening alot with the new motor. I got the tank strapped in before the thunder started . We are suppose to get some lightning and hail. I bent up some new sraps for the tank. I am getting some fittings and hoses for the fuel system tomorrow.

 

The gas tank is done and in its final place. the return line is all plumbed in. The tank float is working. I only had to straighten out the rod . Dave made the hole the same as the stock tank so I could use it. I am now tackling the brakes.

The headers that I made fit is right next to the stock master cylinder. I think it was boiling the fluid. Initially they worked great but started to get soft after driving. I got a pedal ***embly and 8 inch dual diaphragm power booster with drum /drum m/c. I am waiting on a new adjusting rod the one that came in the kit was bent. the kit is for firewall mount. I removed the heater and am making a plate for the pedal ***embly to mount to.

I am also getting a new gas pedal. the brake pedal is getting moved to the other side of the steering collum and the throttle linkage is to short right now. I can adjust for full throttle or idle not both. the stock linkage is a pusher style and the lever is a little short. since I am going to move the gas pedal now . I ordered a lokar pedal and cable. I dont have a welder readly avaliable this was my best option.I wll post up some pictures once I get alittle more done.

 

Ahh, just when I though it was gonna be all wrapped up!!

Need more progress reports!!

 

You're getting there, man!
Feeling excited for you!

 

Its KILING ME not to be able to drive her like she should be . I want everything done right. I am so close now its not even funny. I picked up some 6 vdc Mercury horns and a reverse switch from doug at Joe Smith today.

 

LOL...you're a lot closer than I am...take your own advice, do it correctly...a couple more days/weeks won't make a difference...besides, you'll appreciate it more when it's done correctly...!!!

R-

 

I am Roger because if I dont It will come back in BITE me in the ***. I have the heater removed. I made up a new piece of steel where the heater was to bolt up. I trimmed the new pedal ***embly to sit on the frame in the dash so when everything is bolted up it will be solid. I have the pedal where I think it will work. cut out the hole for the power booster to bolt up with the pedal frame. I then test fitted the booster on the firewall. I know it is upside down right now just seeing how everything looks and fits in their

 

the brake pedal ***embly with power booster dual chamber master cylinder is installed and plumbed. I removed the old distribution block and tide the new lines into that. The Masterclyinder was pre -bled like the instructions said to do . I made a sheet metal brake pad and got a lokar cover Its wide so that I wont have to move the new gas pedal ***embly very much. I only have to run the vac*** line for the booster to tie it into the line for the transmission. then the brakes will be ready to be bled. I use a pressure switch for the brake light. just have to remove old gas pedal ***embly and then mount the new one with cable setup so I will have full throttle useage. YAAAA. I hope to have it done this weekend.

 

Well I have been fighting a brake pressure problem or lack of you might say. I have traced it the the ****py flairing tool that I have. the area that is suppose to grip the line was smooth as a babys bottom. so I was only flairing and not double flairing. The local speed shop that I have been dealing with BIGFOOT loaned me their Snap On hydraulic flairing tool .Its really great to have the right tool for the job.I have one more line to do tomorrow. Its dark outside and about 110 % humidity. I will post when I have brake pressure. hopefully tomorrow.