Technical Roothawg's 390 Cadillac build

Good info guys. Thanks

 

any casting numbers on those carbs?
I have a nice 4 jet that I will never use if interested

 

I haven't actually taken posession yet. I have to run up there sometime this week and pick it up.

 

I think I have settled on this grind for my cam. Still a ways out.
http://schneidercams.com/145HcadIIhydraulic1.aspx

 

Just ran across this post and I too am attempting to rebuild a 390. I have a question regarding the timing chain and the camshaft sproket. First, I noticed that the slack on the chain seems to be a little excessive and secondly, like you mentioned, there are only 2 bolts that hold the cam sproket to the camshaft with no plate to hold the camshaft in place. cannot remember when i disassembled the engine if this is the way is was. I can pull the entire sproket-camshaft back and forth with the timing chain attached just doesn't seem right. Any help is appreciated.

 

Also, all parts are new and the block, crank, and all of the other parts have been machined.

 

If the mains were align bored/honed, the CL of the crank may have moved upwards, leading to a looser chain (you did replace it, right?) reduced center chain sets are available, but I don't know if they are for the Cad.

 

Yes the mains were align bored and the timing set/chain is new. This is probably the problem. just not sure if the slack i have is acceptable. worried about moving forward.
thanks for your reply.

 

Just for giggles, I looked up Caddy parts on https://egge.com/part/sag-1705-c-505/ and their sets are interchangeable with SBC, so theoretically you could get a reduced center timing set. YMMV

 

I think rather than use the adjustable arms, I would just get custom push rod lengths made.

 

Hey, Im at the same spot as you, also found excessive play in the timing chain. Did you solve the problem with a different chain?

We also looked for SBC chains, but they are thin on the ground here in Australia.

Thanks

Monty

 

Mike, I don't believe the grind has anything to do with the valve covers. I am no Caddy expert though.

 

Not every engine has a thrust plate for the cam, the lobes are actually ground on a very slight angle so the lifters spinning “push” it into the block so it can’t walk forward.


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Sorry Roothawg, I’m momentarily high jacking your thread! I’ve been trying to patiently to get this 365 apart for months. I’ve soaked cylinders in trans fluid, brake fluid, kerosene, PB blaster and a combination of all them. Have tried heat and much pounding with a big sledge and no luck! Got pissed, drilled lots of holes in pistons and beat them apart with a chisel. Probably messed up at least one connecting rod so far. Oops. Anyways 3 down and 5 to go from the 365 Cadillac from hell! Was excited and wanted to share in the H.A.M.B.!



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Officially done high jacking the thread! Carry on gentlemen!


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Wow. That looks bad. I think I would look around for a better core. Caddy's are addicting......Welcome to the sickness.

 

Thanks man! A new core certainly wouldn’t hurt my feelings! As a Chevy guy I thought I was going to the dark side when I decided to go ford flathead and spend the most money I had ever spent building an engine for the least amount of horsepower..... I think the Cadillac is going to blow that out of the water. But man I’m excited to build one!!!


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https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1961-cadillac-390-motor-tranny.1142666/

 

By chance does anybody happen to know 50bomb personally? I’ve sent a few pm’s but haven’t heard back. Looks like he sells a lot of stuff on here so he is pretty active. Might have to right this one off for now if I can’t get a hold of him.


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Cam showed up today! Should be a decent cam. The guys at Bullet listened to all my stupid questions and came up with this setup.

 

Looks like a lot of fun to me!!!!!


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Looks Awesome....

 

Got my intake back from the polisher. It looks better in person.

 

Kinda sorry I didn't buy that from you when I had the chance. Looks awesome Chris.

 

Yes! I wanted to run a pair of AFBs on my Offy Pontiac intake and it has the same bolt pattern as your Weiand. I got my carb adapters from Speedway...came with the adapters, gaskets and studs with nuts.

 

An old mechanic told my dad once. What creates rust. Water. What deteriorates rust. Water. He said to soak it in water. Kind of makes sense.

 

Does anyone ever chrome their intakes after polishing? Silly question?

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This one was supposed to be plated. They tried but he didn't like the finish. So, he just polished it up.

 

Looks good Chris! Guessing this means you are starting to think about the 36 again?