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Projects 34` Ford Pickup with 346 Cadillac Flathead

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by NorthManCad, Oct 13, 2018.

  1. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    I will show yours my Ford Pickup project which I built since 2015.
    Normally I am more a "Mopar-Guy" and love the old Flatheads from these cars.
    My first Car was a 1950 Chrysler New Yorker Straight 8 and I have it till now.
    I also built Studebaker Pickup`s, which I have sell after restauration.
    Here in hole Europe the Ford V8 Flathead is, similar to the USA, very popular and mostly the one and only for hot rodding. But sorry I would not drive the mainstream…
    Ok, what`s to do?
    My daily business are big Truck`s and that`s the way to go for this hot rod project.
    The idea was born, I would like to have a old Ford Truck but not the Ford V8 in it.
    My first intention was, put a Chrysler straight 8 in it, because I have a running engine for spare.
    But no…, I would like to have one the biggest factory built V8 Flathead period correct and found the Caddy 346!!! This forum helps a lot in the past to found information`s I need about this engine.
    After any time in 2014 I found a rolling, most complete 34`Ford Pickup without engine in Lubbock Texas. The first step was, shipping the car to me oversee.

    upload_2018-10-13_21-44-58.png
    upload_2018-10-13_21-45-50.png
    In the PU was a dropped Superbell front axle and a Chevy rear axle ( don`t know which one, but maybe anyone see this on picture and can give info). The wishbones where splitted also.
    After the PU arrived me, the work begins on frame and axles.
    upload_2018-10-13_21-51-15.png
    upload_2018-10-13_21-52-7.png
    We drilled the front axle for better design ;)
    upload_2018-10-13_21-57-1.png
    Wishbones drilled and new mount for it.
    upload_2018-10-13_21-58-35.png
    Frame boxing and 4 link for rear axle.
    upload_2018-10-13_22-0-3.png
    Between all this work the good Guy from Texas helped me to found a Caddy Flathead and arrange al the rebuild procedure, parts and so on for the engine. This was a lot of work and email contact from one continent to the other. All this need one year to bring a fresh rebuilt engine to my destination.
    upload_2018-10-13_22-8-15.png
    upload_2018-10-13_22-9-14.png
    I was very glad to have the possibility to buy a rare 3 speed stick shift Lassalle gear box and the put it on the engine with all clutch parts…
    This makes this drive train perfect for my opinion :).
    upload_2018-10-13_22-12-11.png
    upload_2018-10-13_22-12-41.png
    upload_2018-10-13_22-13-26.png

    We put the engine in the frame and a nice accident comes to help: the drive shaft from a Ford Explorer fits perfect the space between gear box and rear axle without any work on it.
     
  2. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,253

    brady1929
    Member

    Cool hot rod.
     
  3. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,174

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    Wow - very Cool - Thanks for pics & story
     

  4. williebill
    Joined: Mar 1, 2004
    Posts: 3,273

    williebill
    Member

    Awesome! Show us more!
     
  5. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,745

    Pete
    Member

    Can’t wait for more pics!
     
    kidcampbell71 and F&J like this.
  6. Like your project..thanks for the build thread.
     
  7. Great engines! When I came home from 3 years at Nuremburg, I bought this old 1947 Cadillac with a 346 flathead and a 4 speed hydramatic. Very smooth and plenty of power. 47caddyandscotty.jpg
     
  8. fiftyv8
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 5,394

    fiftyv8
    Member
    from CO & WA

    Great project and welcome to the Cadillac flathead club.
    I hope you have had a chance to read this thread, although I have had difficulty accessing it recently.
    If you can read please post a reply to help keep it current.

    Cadillac Flathead Chronicles - Tell Us How You Are Doing.



     
  9. belyea_david
    Joined: Sep 21, 2010
    Posts: 134

    belyea_david
    Member
    from Regina, SK

    Love serendipity of the drive shaft working.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  10. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    Russ, I know for long time you are a Cadillac Flathead Man, because I looked at your threads and YouTube videos week`s and month`s ago.
    Thanks you and all the other for the nice feedback!!
    I will post more pic`s and more of the story asap...
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  11. bubba55
    Joined: Feb 27, 2011
    Posts: 452

    bubba55
    Member

    Going to be a nice twuck !
    Bubba likes twucks
     
    F&J likes this.
  12. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    I can't get over the hard core determination it takes to find and import what is needed to build a old time hotrod across the pond.

    .
     
  13. Nobey
    Joined: May 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,489

    Nobey
    Member

    Great build, I'll be waiting for updates. I have a 1941 Cad 346 engine, and was thinking it would be a
    good candidate for 29 roadster.
     
    classiccarjack likes this.
  14. Nice!
    Determination. Not as easy as building one in North America,
    but that isn't a speed bump for you.
    Trucks Rule!
     
  15. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    In the following pic`s is to see, how perfect the Ford Explorer drive shaft fix the gear box and rear axle.
    Also to see is the exhaust with smithy mufflers.
    upload_2018-10-14_17-28-17.png
    upload_2018-10-14_17-29-9.png
    upload_2018-10-14_17-46-14.png
    upload_2018-10-14_17-47-49.png

    Exhaust-Line:
    upload_2018-10-14_17-50-47.png
    upload_2018-10-14_17-52-18.png

    I have used modern Coil Overs from a motorcycle because they are very cheap on the junkyard and should bring a good drive performance (sorry they are not period correct). If I see the price for hot rod coil overs, I think "no!!".
    Otherwise I need the money for the engine and any other parts in the project ;):).
    upload_2018-10-14_18-1-44.png

    In the front I use Bilstein shocks which are stock tuning shocks for the old VW Beetle.
    The bracket for Headlights are handmade with help from a laser cut machine.
    The Headlights an turn signal will I not use, because meanwhile I found vintage Dietz 820-D and will make the turn signals on top of this Headlights.
    upload_2018-10-14_18-4-17.png
    upload_2018-10-14_18-12-6.png

    The intension from the Headlight bracket is, to show the alike line from the front axle, drilling, angle and so...

    upload_2018-10-14_18-14-5.png
     
    orbitup, Texas Webb, Jet96 and 8 others like this.
  16. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    Is anybody knowing which Chevy rear end this is and is this strong enough for the Caddy Flathead?
     

    Attached Files:

    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  17. classiccarjack
    Joined: Jun 30, 2009
    Posts: 1,465

    classiccarjack
    Member

    1937 and earlier floor shift caddy 3 speeds are tough to find. I would like one, but it seems people want $1500.00 plus for them. At that price, I will machine a adapter to fit one of my A833 Mopars... LOL

    If you rebuild a earlier 346 Engine, be sure to not to LOSE the upper and lower sheet metal shells that hold the rear main in place. The last 346 I built, the machine shop lost the upper shell, when they hot tanked the block for me. It took me months to find one. When I did, I had to spend $1200.00 to buy a complete 322 out of a LaSalle to get what I needed. The engine was in Virginia, so I had him ship me the rear main brackets/shells to San Diego. I wish that I could have gotten the entire engine, but couldn't afford an extra grand to ship it.

    In the end, the 346 runs great, had good torque, idles at 450 RPM, and just looks awesome. It moved the 1938 60 Special Series Cadillac I restored with ease. The car still runs great today. It is up in Crest California, owned by Bud Hartwell.

    One last thing to look for, is inspect the engine block for cracks and holes. I had to repair my block due to a thin part cast on the lower left front part of the block. I used a very expensive 3M product to repair the hole I found after the block was cleaned out. It had a rusty sludge build up that sealed it before I rebuilt it and cleaned it out to reveal it... LOL. I was able to needle the area to hide the repair after the patch set. After I painted the block "Cadillac Green" it was no longer noticeable.

    Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  18. classiccarjack
    Joined: Jun 30, 2009
    Posts: 1,465

    classiccarjack
    Member

  19. Cyclone Kevin
    Joined: Apr 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,223

    Cyclone Kevin
    Alliance Vendor

    That rear end should be just fine for the Caddy.
     
  20. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    I cut the cab ca. 3" down and this was one of the first steps in 2015. On this time I would never do this again, because this nice, rare 1934 cab.
    upload_2018-10-14_18-32-2.png

    New wood for the cab inside and for mounting cab to frame.

    upload_2018-10-14_18-34-7.png

    Inside the cab we make all floors from steel plates.

    upload_2018-10-14_18-36-39.png

    Here you see the nice stick shift.

    upload_2018-10-14_18-38-0.png

    The bench seat is a original 50`Chrysler New Yorker.
    This was cuttet, choped and welded to fix the small Ford cab.

    upload_2018-10-14_18-42-36.png

    The upholstery was complete new done in the old style, also inside with all the old stuff, like springs.

    upload_2018-10-14_18-44-45.png

    Steering wheel and steering shaft is after market and not really period correct :(

    upload_2018-10-14_18-46-51.png

    This part is also original 50` Chrysler heating handling, but I use this for ignition and light switch.
    upload_2018-10-14_18-50-25.png

    I take the stock place for tank and a after market stock tank.

    upload_2018-10-14_18-52-11.png

    The bed is not cut in length and I have mag wheels on rear end, because from time to time I will go on drag strip with the truck.
    The back lights are german parts for old cars and I take these ones because the fit the corners so nice and clean.
    (we need yellow turn signals here to be road conform) :confused:
    Exhaust end on right and left side will cut later, perhaps shorter or with other angle, I am not sure on this point from the project...

    upload_2018-10-14_18-57-27.png
    upload_2018-10-14_18-57-53.png
    upload_2018-10-14_18-58-30.png
     

    Attached Files:

    kidcampbell71 and mgtstumpy like this.
  21. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    Hey Kevin, nice to get info from you in this question!

    Cyclone Heads for the 346 are ordered from Kevin and on the way to me since yesterday.:)
    Thanks to Kevin for fast machine work!
     
    kidcampbell71 and Cyclone Kevin like this.
  22. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    Hm, thanks for the tip. Can you please post a picture that I really know what you mean with the sheet metal shells?

    In the past I have a similar problem with my 50` Chrysler straight 8. In the machine shop here in Germany they break the shaft from the oil pump. It needs one year and a lot money to get a pump. You will not find a pump only all over the world for this engine. At last I bought a complete car on the west cost for $1000 and pay the shipping oversee for it. That`s why I have a parts car for my running Chrysler and parts for other project`s.
    I never give up my search for one more oil pump and years ago a guy in the States sell a complete engine on Ebay.
    I ask $250 only for the oil pump and he sell`s it to me, not knowing hoe rare this part is…

    Was also my wedding car
     

    Attached Files:

    Jet96, Hnstray, kidcampbell71 and 2 others like this.
  23. Very Very nice!!!!
     
  24. classiccarjack
    Joined: Jun 30, 2009
    Posts: 1,465

    classiccarjack
    Member

    If I get the time to dig, I will try to find the box of CD's that has that engine build in it for you. I will post some pics...

    I just have a lot of office stuff to do today.

    Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  25. I would like to see what you are talking about also, I have a '37 and don't remember this
     
  26. classiccarjack
    Joined: Jun 30, 2009
    Posts: 1,465

    classiccarjack
    Member

    There are two sheet metal clam shell like pieces that go into the back of the engine block in the furthest rear saddle. These sheet metal pieces hold the rope seal back there. In the 1940's, Cadillac cast in that area, a lip, to hold the rear main seal. So the later blocks are not a issue. I will try to dig, I have thousands upon thousands of pictures of cars I built over a 15 year span for customers when I owned my restoration business. I will do my best to look this up, as I am a CEO of my current company and don't have a lot of time to spare...

    Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    kidcampbell71 and NorthManCad like this.
  27. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 3,868

    51 mercules
    Member

    What year explorer for the drive shaft. Thank you!
     
    classiccarjack likes this.
  28. 26Troadster
    Joined: Nov 20, 2010
    Posts: 787

    26Troadster
    Member

    very cool build.
     

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