Caddy Convert

[Runnin L8]

Well, I'm ready to hop on the Caddy train.

A friend of mine convinced me of doing so by swaping an internally stock 472 into his 64 pickup and spanking my "400 Hp" 350 in a 1969 pickup.

Since that time I've kept my eyes open for a car to rob.

I found one the other day and just wanted some reassurance before I dropped the bills.

It's a 73, 4 door Sedan Deville with about 60,000 on the clock. He is asking 850 for the car. He is still driving the car, and it even passed emissions so I don't think there can be too much wrong with it. I did notice it has a lifter that is loosing prime.

My buddy picked up a similar car for 300. I don't know if he just lucked out, or if this guys a little high.

Thanks for any help

[DOC]

First of all, welcome to Cadillac Heaven!

I think he might be a little bit high on his price, but what is it worth to be able to test drive an engine before you buy it? Also, if you have the time and patience you can get some of your money back selling off the Deville parts. This might be one of those engines you simply install and go fast.

A little bit of lifter noise doesn't bother me, I've cured a lot of 'em changing the oil and filter.

DOC

[dave_brode]

Runnin L8,

That's high, imo, for a low compression 472. I'd keep looking.

Welcome, btw!
Dave


"]Well, I'm ready to hop on the Caddy train.

A friend of mine convinced me of doing so by swaping an internally stock 472 into his 64 pickup and spanking my "400 Hp" 350 in a 1969 pickup.

Since that time I've kept my eyes open for a car to rob.

I found one the other day and just wanted some reassurance before I dropped the bills.

It's a 73, 4 door Sedan Deville with about 60,000 on the clock. He is asking 850 for the car. He is still driving the car, and it even passed emissions so I don't think there can be too much wrong with it. I did notice it has a lifter that is loosing prime.

My buddy picked up a similar car for 300. I don't know if he just lucked out, or if this guys a little high.

Thanks for any help[/quote]

[zenish]

if you have a turbo 400 in your truck id look for an eldorado so you will have the right oilpan.you can get an adapter.

[Ted in Olympia WA]

If we knew your location maybe we could help you in your search.

I have a couple of 500 engines in the northwest.

If you can find a 75 or 76 they all had 500 engines. Don't worry about the horsepower rating, they will all run the same from 71 to 76.

TED

[Runnin L8]

Yeah... I think you guys are right. It's a little high for an engine I would be settling on. I'm getting over anxious to pull the trigger on this swap.

Plus... In the spirit of one up manship, I can't get the same engine as my buddy. I might even be obligated to stroke a 500 just to make sure :lol:

I'm in Fort Worth, TX. If there is anybody in this area that spots an ELDO, my boss lady gave me the go ahead in hopes that I'll sell my bike to buy more speed parts. She's right :lol:

My PU has a 4 speed right now. I can only imagine a big caddy and a 4 speed... I just thought I had trouble hooking up.

Thanks to everybody for the replies / intervention! Saved me some money and regret.....


While I'm typing....

My father in law is a big Grand National nut. I've been talking with him and a 500 is basically the same (cubic inch) as two GN egines with a common crank. People sell off stock GN turbo's for pretty reasonable. It's got me thinking about a twin turbo 500 caddy. The other Caddy site claims that a warmed up 8 to 1 500 can make 420hp and 547 lbs pretty easy. Put a couple of hair dryers on it... and your eyes go :shock:

Has anybody ever heard of such?

[Big-Daddy]

Dont waste your time with a turbo, or a 4 speed for that matter.

A bone stock low compression 500 caddy puts out more torque than any GM factory 4 speed is capable of handling, with the exception of a big bull-dog unit from a 2500+ series GM box truck, and those are slow shifting and klunky... Not performance material.

A turbo setup is a bad idea for almost the same reason... Just too much power, especially in a P/U truck with no "ballast" over the back wheels.

IMHO, a good plan of atack for you would be to keep the engine basically stock with the exception of a cam that will raise the power-band a few hundred RPM's. That will take away some of the bottom end torque to help you launch, but give more HP where you need it- once it's rolling.

A converter with stock, or a couple hundred R's over stock stahl speed will help out as well.

Spending your money on good valve-train upgrades [especially springs], a good carb, and a red hot ignition will give you the most bang for buck.

T-400 tranny [bop] with an RV shift kit [not street performance] and some bullit proof U-joints will round out the package.

Take the time to "dial it in", "tune it up", and "degree it out" properly, and you wont be disappointed.

Good luck!

[dave_brode]

Runnin L8"

> Plus... In the spirit of one up manship, I can't get the same engine as my buddy. I might even be obligated to stroke a 500 just to make sure :lol:

Figure 1.5-2K more to do a stroker. $600-$800 in crank work, "other" rods, custom pistons, etc. Imo, a 30 or 60 over KB piston equipped 500" with 68-73 heads [for apx 10-1 CR with some head work and larger valves is a good bang per buck combo.

> I'm in Fort Worth, TX. If there is anybody in this area that spots an ELDO,

You may know, but the '70 up eldos are 500". '74-'76 are 120cc head. The eldo pan will work for sure, but the mid sump rwd '77-'84 [368/425] pan will work on some truck swaps.

> My PU has a 4 speed right now. I can only imagine a big caddy and a 4 speed... I just thought I had trouble hooking up.

$300 plus for a stick flywheel. You'd better be really gentle on the box.


> My father in law is a big Grand National nut. I've been talking with him and a 500 is basically the same (cubic inch) as two GN egines with a common crank. People sell off stock GN turbo's for pretty reasonable. It's got me thinking about a twin turbo 500 caddy.

Although you had better have deep pockets, OR good fabrication skills, it's very do-able, and those turbos are a good choice for a mild deal for 4500 or so max rpm. Warning - those turbos are known for thrust issues. Inspect for in/out play closely.

Fyi - Sean Mote has a turbo'd Coupe DV [huge single]. While he was freshening his good engine [700+ horse, 800+ lbs-ft, iirc], he ran a bone stock low CR 500 in the car. Stock except for cam and intake. He is careful with his tuning, but it held up to boost well- 10 psi, iirc. A stock low CR 472 or 500 would do well with twin GN turbos.

Here's a link to my project that I *hope* will run in the spring. Twin turbo'd 512" in a chevy pu. I'm too dumb to post pics on board:
http://public.fotki.com/larouchedem/tttruck_project

Btw I've switched plans and swapped the T04Bs for smaller 301" TransAm units. Similar in flow the the '86/'87 GN turbos. The required external 'gates needed for the T04s looked to be too much a hassle.

Dave

[68C15]

Dave, that is WICKED!!!
nice looking truck also. short beds must be hard to find in your area too.

[Ted in Olympia WA]

Thanks for the pictures Dave, I had no idea that you were into it that deep. You do fantastic work.
TED

[dave_brode]

Fellows,

Thanks for the kind words. Haven't touched it since last winter. NY resolution is after today, spend no evening time sitting here, and work on the thing.
Dave

[lloydk]

welcome , and go for it, how clean is the car ?, maybe part it out to recoop and peace of mind to hear it run. I make beleivers out of mine all the time and its just a junkyard special

[dave_brode]

lloydk,

Cool truck. Old trucks look good in black primer.
Dave


"]welcome , and go for it, how clean is the car ?, maybe part it out to recoop and peace of mind to hear it run. I make beleivers out of mine all the time and its just a junkyard special[/quote]

[PRAUK]

Nice looking truck man.!!!! Check on going with efi... MEGASQUIRT!. Just a thought. That thing should make monster power.

[dave_brode]

PRAUK,

Thanks. Carb'd at first for sure, but the 'squirt is a possibility in the far future.
Dave

]Nice looking truck man.!!!! Check on going with efi... MEGASQUIRT!. Just a thought. That thing should make monster power.[/quote]