Change In Plans!! 1948 Caddy V8

[MBL]

OK..so yesterday I picked up a running "Rebuilt" 1948 Caddy 346 with a Hydromatic on it. This thing is enormous! and HEAVY. Anyway, I know there are Burrell and Edmunds intakes out there. And Edmunds heads...and Cyclone new heads for this. I'll be looking to to that soon enough.

I'd like some feedback if any can share regarding the HAMB's experience with these engines. I have seen some great old salt photos of these engines. Some of them utilizing a Model A Frame. Any suggestions about this? I'm sure boxing is an order. How about experience with this era of hydromatic?

Anyway, here's the boat anchor. FEEDBACK PLEASE!



We're pretty excited about it.
Tim
MBL

[Dirty2]

They are HEAVY !!!!

[dv8]

HEAVY!!!!

My Chinese engine hoist said GRRRRRROOOOOAAN when I lifted it up!!!

It's cool though!

[MBL]

OK so to deal with this HEAVY engine...What do we think? Possible to run a Model A frame provided it is boxed?
Tim
MBL

[Flop]

we broke the chinese engine stand when we lifted mine haha your gotta way a ton more though with that hydramatic

i have a set of these heads and a mallory dual point still lookin for an intake though

[Revhead]

that is one hell of a shopping cart you got there.. how much food do people buy at one time where you live?

[MBL]

Ha! We marveled at the performance of the shopping cart stand. It also once held a 331 hemi with fluid drive tranny attached. Personally, I am expecting it to give out any day.
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

Any Model A frame suggestions? Boxed? maybe. Do we thinks this engine is too much for an A frame?
Tim
MBL

[Revhead]

Well I went looking for comparisons and the Hemis and MEL 430s and such weigh around 740 and I've seen both of those in model A frames. But yours is likely to be near 900-1000 lbs.

Also found this guy asking for a bid... lists it at 500 lbs.. HAHA
http://www.uship.com/shipment/Cadill...-CO/813682057/

[InDaShop]

Rev head would be correct. Full dress (ironheads/intake, generator, and exhaust) with the 3 speed is right around 990. Or at least thats what my scale said.

You can save some weight going Edmunds or Cyclone heads, and more with the intake, more if you go alternator over the stock generator. Ditching the cast headers and crossover will net you even more weight.

You can search my name, and Cadillac Flathead, there is some good information out there. I did a comparison between the Edmunds and Cyclone heads a few years ago.

My opinion, I would take the Edmunds intakes over the Burrells. I didn't like the quality of the Burrell I got to see and hold 1st hand. And then the Cyclone heads hands down over the edmunds. "Savage" on here makes a dualpoint dizzy that is very very nice. Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle makes some high quality exhaust flanges for ditching your heavy manifolds. Cyclone, Savage, and HRCC are all alliance vendors.

[MBL]

Thanks for the input! I think with the weight...I am going to go with some 23 rails...
Tim
MBL

[4t64rd]

I see this as a perfect candidate to use the shopping cart as a clip on the 23 T frame.

[skajaquada]

go figure, as soon as i pick one up everyone else gets their hands on one...sheep

finding parts for these is tough man, be glad yours is complete and running. mine is gonna take some serious work but it'll be worth it in the end

[Bluto]

My old brain says there's a trick for the lifters

Anyone remember?

[MBL]

Ha....I meant 32 rails. Deuce rails would be much stronger than A rails I guess and still retain the "traditional" build I will be going for.
Tim
MBL

[Sinner]

I dig the yellow spark plug wires

[TRuss]

It would interesting and cool. But. Probably one of the worst driving cars of all time. How much does a model A weigh to start with? There is noway that adding nearly 1,000lbs to the nose is a good idea. But still cool.

[revkev6]

how much different would it be from a hemi/olds?? not much really. your talking 150-200lbs more weight but 1/3rd the HP. probably less than half the torque as well. make some good crossmembers and a well made A frame should work ok.

and like Truss says, the weight up front will be an issue. no tiny tiny front tires. heavy duty spring and try to get that front axle as far forward of the engine as possible. should help spread the weight out better.

[MBL]

So no spring in front set up? I guess that makes sence....Hmm I guess I can go with a spring over.
Tim
MBL

[revkev6]

Originally Posted by MBL

So no spring in front set up? I guess that makes sence....Hmm I guess I can go with a spring over.
Tim
MBL

spring in front, spring over, spring behind, whatever! just make sure the axle position is far forward. also, I would suggest staying away from a suicide perch.