Well, if you're not going to restore it at least you'd be keeping it all GM! If you're talking about the new Caddy motors, that's a wiring/computer mess that's a handfull. But, if you're talking about the older BIG V-8's, that's something I know about. The '68 to mid 70's Cadillac 472 and 500 are hard to beat. Though in my (humble) opinion, the 472 is the better choice; the 500 was a detuned version of the 472 (remember when all those smog laws kicked in?). In stock form, the engines are good up to about 4,500 rpm, with the weak link being the rocker arms (Aftermarkets are available from a variety of sources). You're not going to spin 7,000 rpm without dropping huge money into it. But if you want big torque for towing or smooth power for cruising, you can live with the 4,500 limit. While the 472/500 is almost identical in size to a Chevy big block - it's an inch or two wider and actually weighs about 75 pounds less - there are a couple things you'll have to keep in mind. The oil filter sticks out to the side (you could use a remote filter or the set-up from an earlier 425 motor which keeps the filter tucked against the motor) and there is a heater hose connection that comes out of the rear of one of the heads (I believe the right head) that can give you grief if you've got limited firewall clearance. Some good news is that the distributor is located in the front (which means you won't have to cut up your firewall for distributor clearance) and if the starter is in the way (it's located on the right side and it's a big 'un) MTS (Maximum Torque Specialties) makes a mini-starter. MTS also has a wide range of Cadillac high performance parts. Edelbrock makes a great manifold and several cams are available as well. Also, you can find front, mid, and rear-sump oil pans which at least gives you some options depending on what you're putting the motor in. Probably the front sump pans that come stock on the 68 to mid 70's motors will have clearance problems. Use a rear sump pan and pickup tube from a Eldorado of the same vintage. The blocks have a high nickel content so the blocks hold up nice. Transmission wise, the Cadillacs use a Buick-Olds-Pontiac bolt pattern and the tranny of choice would probably be a Turbo 400. MTS offers adapters to use more modern trannies but a stock 700R isn't going to last long. If you feel the need to shift, you can put a manual behind it but you'll have to use an adapter or find a bellhousing with a Buick Olds or Pontiac bolt pattern. Also, you'll need to have the crank machined for a pilot bearing (since no Caddies came with a manual, they didn't machine for a pilot bearing at the factory). Your stock radiator ain't gonna come close to cutting it. Plan on making modifications to accept a bigger radiator. Also, if you plan on using all that power, get a stronger rear axle! I used to be into mid-60's Cadillac's pretty heavily but they got too pricey and parts too scarce. I like to drive my toys, not leave in the garage. I once had to use a 69 DeVille to pull my 18' enclosed car trailer (about 8,000 pounds loaded) when my truck broke down. It pulled it easier and got better mileage. It did sag a bit in the rear and I did jerry-rig a tranny cooler before the trip but it definately sold me on the power of the Cadillac motor. The truck had a stout 454 but it was pale compared to the Cadillac. Classic Trucks Magazine had a couple of articles on Cadillac engines about two years ago. If you can find those they had a lot of useful info, especially about motor mounts and what parts can be swapped from motor to motor. Go to some of the big truck events and I'm sure you'll find Caddy power in more than a few of the trucks. Hope this helps and sorry if I rambled on and on and on.....
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-02 AT 01:00 AM (CST)]Thanks for the help. i want to put a manual tranny in it but i might go with a auto if all else fails. its a 79 caddilac engine.what year/model of buick,olds,pont.Thanks again. Cowboy
that's the 425 which is basically still the same motor, you can make the oil pan swaps, etc with the older 472/500's. However, the pistons and heads from the earlier motors are different. Pre-74 used small chambered heads and dishtop pistons, while later motors used flattop postons with large chambered heads. I think your motor has the mid-sump oil pan which I have seen work in a 67-72 style pickup. Rad Cad Performance out of Bridgewater, NJ (sorry, can't find the phone number) has some nice performance parts. Not sure if the 425 used the same Buick Olds Pontiac transmission bolt pattern. Probably the only manual bellhouse you'll find would be for a Lemans, GTO, or Firebird, and those are getting hard to come by. MTS or Rad Cad might have better answers. Good Luck
