Editing Cadillac engine knowledge (section)
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==Transmission bolt patterns== The ~1968-up 368, 425, 472, and 500 cid engines all use a "BOP" (Buick/Olds/Pontiac) bellhousing bolt pattern, so a TH350 or TH400 or "uni-bell" automatic will bolt right up to the back of the block as long as the proper Cadillac flexplate and torque converter are used. The '56-'64 365/390/429 use a Cadillac-only "flat top" bolt pattern, which does not share dimensions with other GM bolt patterns. In 1965 most Cadillacs (there was a unique '64 carryover for '65 commercial cars) received a new "pad-mount" starter motor, which with two vertical bolts held the starter to a cast block pad. Previous design was a "flange mount" starter which bolted to the bell housing. In the case of the unique '64 with a factory installed engine-to-transmission adapter, the starter bolted to an adapter plate which was "sandwiched" between the block and an early Buick bolt-pattern TH-400. TH400 crankshafts use a flange and pilot which are not dimensionally the same as those of "Jetaway" crankshafts. . ===TH350 and TH400=== A TH350 can be built to stand up to the torque of a Caddy engine, but the cost may seem high compared to what a TH400 can be built for, to do the same job. It is an option, however. Some TH350 transmissions came with steel transmission cases in older military tanks and trucks; they would be best for mondo horsepower applications such as 1500+ hp cad engines. But the TH400 remains the "go to" transmission for many Cad engine applications; it's affordable, tough, and came as standard equipment behind many Cad engines from the mid-'60s onward. ====Front wheel drive==== The TH425 front-drive automatic transaxle also fits these engines as used in the Eldorado, although a special dual-sump oil pan and pickup are used with these transmissions due to the required half shaft clearance. Any RWD engine can be converted to FWD and vice versa if the proper oil pan and pickup are used, although two of the main cap bolts must be removed and swapped for studs with standoffs to mount the pickup bracket. ====4-wheel drive==== Another good thing about these engines using a TH400 transmission is that a BOPC patterned case can be assembled with the Chevy 4x4 tail shaft and associated hardware for use in an off-road truck. The engine weight is approximately 600 pounds fully dressed and splits the difference between small and big block Chevy, so suspension modifications are not usually necessary. Transfer case choice for a 4x4 should be an NP205, which was optional for and used in many 1973 to 1987 Chevy & GMC 1/2-ton, 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks as well as 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton Suburbans from 1973 to 1987 plus some crew cab trucks from 1987 to 1991. The NP205 is a durable cast iron housing gear-driven part time transfer case and holds up nicely to the big Caddy's torque output. ===700R4 / 4L60 / 4L80E=== The 700R4/4L60/4L80E can be good transmissions to use behind the Cadillac 472 and 500, due to the fact that you can run 4.11 gears and not over rev the engine with the overdriven 4th gear. The 4L80E is a good transmission to use on the Cadillac 472 and 500, due to the strength of the 4L80E. The 4L80E normally requires a stand alone controller for automatic shifting and pressure controls. With a price tag of a CPU controller at $600.00 and higher, it's not a inexpensive swap. *The following are for comparison's sake and aren't recommendations, per se. As with any large expenditure, research before spending! For those who want the strength of a 4L80E without the need for an electrical controller, there is the [http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4L80E.htm Quadzilla] for around $3400.00. The [http://www.transmissioncenter.org/compushift_4l60e_4l80e.htm Compushift ECM] (Electronic Control Module) for the GM 4L60E/4L80E costs about $1150.00. A less expensive controller is the [http://www.optishift.com/ Optishift]; cost for it is around $600.00. For about half that amount, the [http://www.msgpio.com/manuals/mshift/4L60e.html MegaShift™ Transmission Controller] is available. It requires assembly and some knowledge of electrical circuitry, etc. ===Cad engine to Chevy transmission=== If a Chevy bolt pattern transmission is used, there are several adapters that will mate Cad engines that have a BOP bolt pattern to the Chevy transmission: *[http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/60172/10002/-1?parentProductId= Jegs] *[http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-230001/ TCI] *[http://www.hughesperformance.com/pdfs/HP9605.pdf Hughes] (looks identical to the TCI, and has same part number) *[http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRD-0061/ Trans-Dapt] ===Early Cad engine to late model GM transmission=== *[http://www.transmissionadapters.com/cad_early.htm 1949-'63 Cad engines] from Bendtsen’s Transmission Center *[http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Early-Cadillac-to-Chevy-Transmission-Adapter,8762.html Adapter kit] allows you to put a Chevy automatic transmission (Powerglide, TH350, TH400, 700R4) behind a 1955-'64 Cadillac 331, 364, 390 & 429 engine, from Speedway. *[http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html Wilcap early Cad adapters] for GM manual and automatic transmissions. ===Early Cad to Ford transmission=== *[http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Early-Olds-Caddy-to-Early-Ford-Transmission,5429.html Adapter] for 1932-'48 Ford transmission behind either a 1949-'64 Olds or 1949-'53 Cadillac V8.
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