Cadillac engine knowledge
From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki
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[[Image:Cadsuburban.jpg|frame|A Cadillac engine in an early Suburban]] | [[Image:Cadsuburban.jpg|frame|A Cadillac engine in an early Suburban]] | ||
| − | [[File:Caddyv12.jpg|thumb|500px|Mid-'60s Caddy V12 60 degree | + | [[File:Caddyv12.jpg|thumb|500px|Mid-'60s Caddy V12 60 degree SOHC engine- never reached production]] |
==1946-'60== | ==1946-'60== | ||
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<td align="center" ><b>5°</b></td> | <td align="center" ><b>5°</b></td> | ||
</tr></table></font><br> | </tr></table></font><br> | ||
| + | '''Bold text''' | ||
==1968-'76 general engine specifications== | ==1968-'76 general engine specifications== | ||
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==Modifications and swapping== | ==Modifications and swapping== | ||
| − | [[File:Mts cad head.jpg|thumb|left|600px|MTS custom aluminum 76cc "FR" head, ~$3500/pair ca. 2012]] <br style="clear:both"/> | + | [[File:Mts cad head.jpg|thumb|left|600px|Cadillac HP MTS custom aluminum 76cc "FR" head, ~$3500/pair ca. 2012]] <br style="clear:both"/> |
===Heads=== | ===Heads=== | ||
| − | The biggest gains in power output come from aftermarket cylinder heads (see photo). Stock heads can also be ported for more power. MTS and others do this type of work. Pre-1974 heads are small chamber 76cc and are good for around 12-13 to 1 compression when a flat top piston is fitted. Race gas, alcohol or propane fuel must be used. | + | The biggest gains in power output come from aftermarket cylinder heads (see photo). Stock heads can also be ported for more power. MTS/CHP and others do this type of work. Pre-1974 heads are small chamber 76cc and are good for around 12-13 to 1 compression when a flat top piston is fitted. Race gas, alcohol or propane fuel must be used. |
The 1974 and later open chamber heads have 120cc chambers giving compression ratios of 7.5-9 to 1 depending on the piston used. | The 1974 and later open chamber heads have 120cc chambers giving compression ratios of 7.5-9 to 1 depending on the piston used. | ||
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===Intake=== | ===Intake=== | ||
| − | The stock intakes used on the 472/500/425 engines leave a lot to be desired. They are a very low rise design, some are single plane, but not in a high performance sense. | + | The stock intakes used on the 472/500/425 engines leave a lot to be desired. They are a very low rise design, some are single plane, but not in a high performance sense. Also, the stock intake is of a "negative plenum" design in which the air/fuel mixture actually flows below the intake port, then back up to the port-not good for flow. It was made this way to clear the Eldorado hood, and consequently these aftermarket intake manifolds will not clear the stock Eldorado hood. |
| − | MTS, Edelbrock and others make aluminum aftermarket intakes that are better suited for high performance duty. | + | MTS/CHP, Edelbrock and others make aluminum aftermarket intakes that are better suited for high performance duty. |
| − | [[File:Mts single plane intake cad.jpg|thumb||left|600px|MTS single plane aluminum intake manifold]] <br style="clear:both"/> | + | [[File:Mts single plane intake cad.jpg|thumb||left|600px|MTS/CHP single plane aluminum intake manifold]] <br style="clear:both"/> |
===Block=== | ===Block=== | ||
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===Cam timing/degreeing=== | ===Cam timing/degreeing=== | ||
| − | The stock cam can benefit from advancing the cam timing 2 degrees, as these engines had retarded cam timing in stock form for emissions. Attach the degree wheel to the crank with a 9/16- | + | The stock cam can benefit from advancing the cam timing 2 degrees, as these engines had retarded cam timing in stock form for emissions. Attach the degree wheel to the crank with a 9/16-18 fine thread bolt. |
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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. . | |
| − | The | + | |
===TH350 and TH400=== | ===TH350 and TH400=== | ||
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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. | 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==== | + | ====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. | 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. | ||
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==Cadillac engine parts sources== | ==Cadillac engine parts sources== | ||
*[http://www.cad500parts.com/ Cad Company] | *[http://www.cad500parts.com/ Cad Company] | ||
| − | *[http://www. | + | *[http://www.cadillachighperformance.com/ Formerly MTS - Now Cadillac HP ] |
*[http://www.cadillacperformanceparts.com/ Cadillac Performance Parts] | *[http://www.cadillacperformanceparts.com/ Cadillac Performance Parts] | ||
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