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cadillac flathead owners speak up!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by rustycarr, Feb 2, 2011.

  1. rustycarr
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 188

    rustycarr
    Member
    from TX

    Ok ive got the chance to buy a Model A coupe, with a 48 caddy 346 flathead ,thats been rebuilt with the automatic tranny. owner says it runs smooth as butter , has a 2bbl carb, custom radiator, and runs 180-200 degrees. He says its not for the race minded, but has tons of torque. Ive done alot of searches, and read alot of post, but i want to know from caddy flatty owners. What are the pros and cons? Are they tempermental, reliability?, id like some actual stories of performance on the road, hills, idleing, accelerating,etc etc, any videos would be nice too, thanks.
     
  2. KrisKustomPaint
    Joined: Apr 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,107

    KrisKustomPaint
    Member

    why don't you test drive it?
     
  3. rustycarr
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 188

    rustycarr
    Member
    from TX

    1600 miles away!
     
  4. CutawayAl
    Joined: Aug 3, 2009
    Posts: 2,144

    CutawayAl
    Member
    from MI


  5. That 346 is a great motor, but not alot of RPM. Loads of torque like you have been told. there is alot of hop up parts out there but bring alot of cash. The lower end has only three main bearings so it may have a strength issue. The crankshaft is very heavy with big screwed on counter weights. I guess this is one reason they run so smooth and can idle so low. They also can have some overheating issues, but there are some tricks you can do to try to keep them cool. do some searches on the topic-you will find some info.
    Also check out "flattie38" on the HAMB he is building a full race 346 and knows alot about them.
     
  6. rustycarr
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 188

    rustycarr
    Member
    from TX

  7. Ole don
    Joined: Dec 16, 2005
    Posts: 2,915

    Ole don
    Member

    Reliable? Tempermental?? What part of Cadillac are you not understanding??? It may be the most reliable and un-tempermental engine of its time. They were used side by side in tanks through the war years and many still run fine.
     
  8. rustycarr
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 188

    rustycarr
    Member
    from TX

    Is this opinion, experience, you own one?
     
  9. 38FLATTIE
    Joined: Oct 26, 2008
    Posts: 4,349

    38FLATTIE
    Member
    from Colorado

    It's BS!

    Unlike Fords, the Caddy exhaust exits the top of the head, running cooler than the Ford. Like Ole Don said, they are a VERY dependable engine.

    Having said that, if a Ford flathead is overheating, there is a problem. Flatheads get bashed for overheating, but when they are running right, there are no heating issues!
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2011
  10. I am parting out one of these motors with the block and crank spoken for and flywheel is sold but lots of other stuff.
     

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