Milestone Motor: The 1949 Cadillac 331

[Jive-Bomber]

1949 was a very big year in the American automotive industry. It was really the first year that all the manufacturers had completely brand new product from post-War designs. Besides all new exterior styling from Detroit, with fenders integrated into ...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

[schwerko]

Good read, thanks.

[theHIGHLANDER]

Very kool and pretty damned accurate. Those "monkey motion" engines from Cadillac, and also Oldsmobile, clearly led the charge of doom to our beloved Flatty. Thanks for the story.

[grander]

What is monkey motion?

[49ratfink]

got to love the Caddy motors. I'll take a later 390 with factory dual 4bbls and the big funky air cleaner.

can a person tell the difference between a 390 and the earlier models from the outside?

[SAVAGE]

Thats What i'm talking about!!! Hope I can get mine in my Merc SOON!!

[porknbeaner]

Originally Posted by Jive-Bomber

1949 was a very big year in the American automotive industry. It was really the first year that all the manufacturers had completely brand new product from post-War designs. Besides all new exterior styling from Detroit, with fenders integrated into ...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

Wow dude,
I read your title and my brain thought it said Mill stone not mile stone. I was gonna say I thought the Caddy was a pretty sweet mill and not a stone in any sense.

Pretty good read. Excellent motors.

[batt69nova]

Great article. I've read a lot online about the early OHVs, and there's a bunch of articles saying Olds was first. Anyone have more info regarding that? I know Caddy was working on the OHV prewar, if memory serves, but I have read multiple accounts saying that Olds engineers had running motors prior to Cad.

??

['54Caddy]

Originally Posted by 49ratfink

can a person tell the difference between a 390 and the earlier models from the outside?

The 49-54 331's had the extended bell housing cast on the rear of the block. Valve covers changed over the years(as you know they can all be interchanged, except for the early 49 which had center bolt covers). 56 was the first year of the dual quad setup option and I think 59 was the first year of the 3x2 setup option. Also 390's have a spin on oil filter, 331's and 365's have remote filters.

[JeffreyJames]

LOVE CAD V8'S. I just sold my 365 Eldo engine but at least a few friends are building some really nasty 331's and 365's right now at our shop. Terd's is even Pink!

[Steverod]

I really love this thread

Here was my 365 56 cad engine ,was going like hell but a little bit thirsty

[Abomination]

The 331-390 intakes can even be used on the 1963 390 and the 1964+ 429. The spacing is the same, all you need is adapters to make up for the width of the latter.

~Jason

[swissmike]

I have a 331 that came out of a fully restored '49 in my shop, waiting to go in my 39 Merc coupe.
Charlie Price (vintagespeed.com) now offers the Offenhauser 2x2 intakes for $349 so that's what will go on mine eventually.
Still looking for a flywheel;-)
Let me know if anybody needs a fully rebuilt Hydro from my '49.

[mgbtc]

Very good read. I didn't know about the intakes fitting 429's, good to know.

[Abomination]

Hell yeah it is. When you have a 429, you're the red-headed stepchild. You take what you can get! LOL!

~Jason

Originally Posted by mgbtc

Very good read. I didn't know about the intakes fitting 429's, good to know.

[BeatnikPirate]

Interesting stuff!
I drove my Grand-dad's 49 Caddy four-door when I was in high school. That sucker was fast, once it got rolling!
In 1950, a big-ass stock Cadillac finished 10th at LeMans!
Right behind it was a special-bodied Caddy.
A Cad-powered Allard kicked some exotic European butt, placing third overall, I think, in the race.
Great engine!

[Bomb]

The '51 I used to own seemed to have adequate power to get the car going. It was only rated at 160 hp but the 312 ft lbs of torque made up for it. It only had a 2 bbl carb and single exhaust. It was by far the smoothest running V8 I've ever seen and it ran like a Swiss watch.

[chester meredith]

Originally Posted by swissmike

Still looking for a flywheel;-)

Try Mac's Speed in New Zealand

Run by Graeme McNeill

Posts stuff all over the world.

http://www.macsspeed.com/adapters_3.html

I don't work for Graeme but have bought bits from his establishment and he's super helpful.

CM

[daveydeuce]

Originally Posted by Jive-Bomber

1949 was a very big year in the American automotive industry. It was really the first year that all the manufacturers had completely brand new product from post-War designs. Besides all new exterior styling from Detroit, with fenders integrated into ...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

Was surprised and flattered to see that you choose to use one of my Caddy engines, in your pics, #4. Here area couple of pics of how it currently looks, will be back in the Deuce Roadster shortly! (I hope)

[Krash]

Caddy engines rule! I have a 331 going in my Model A. I can't wait to start working on it!