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Cadillac conversion:

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Irish Dan, Dec 12, 2009.

  1. Irish Dan
    Joined: Jan 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,231

    Irish Dan
    Member

    Is there a website where I can find a standard shift conversion kit for a 472 Cadillac mill? I'd like to run either a Borg Warner T-10, Muncie 4 speed, or top loader Ford 5 speed. Any info would be helpful.
     
  2. brocluno
    Joined: Nov 1, 2009
    Posts: 168

    brocluno
    Member

    Most later Caddy cranks were not turned/drilled for a pilot bushing or bearing. You'll have to have that done before you can run a stick.
     
  3. bobscogin
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 1,774

    bobscogin
    Member

    Don't have a link to a website, but I think you would be able to use a stock Pontiac, Buick, or Olds bellhousing as they share a pattern with Cadillac. The problem will be the flywheel since Cadillac never offered a manual trans 472. Something else you may want to check -- since no manual trans was offered, the crank may not be machined for a pilot bushing.

    Bob
     
  4. Irish Dan
    Joined: Jan 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,231

    Irish Dan
    Member

    Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback!
     

  5. Chief_Wannabe
    Joined: Sep 15, 2009
    Posts: 84

    Chief_Wannabe
    Member
    from Ozark, MO

    A Pontiac bellhousing will bolt right on. I used one earlier this year on a 500 and the only modification needed was a very slight reaming on the right side hole for the locator dowell. Buick and Olds bellhousings will fit too, but I'd think much harder to find than the Pontiac. You can also run a Chevy bellhousing with an aftermarket adapter, but that is an unnecessary expense unless you really have trouble finding a bellhousing. I sold a number of Pontiac bellhousings earlier this year and the going rate is $85-$100. Sometimes see them at smaller swaps for as little as $50.

    You can get a new billet steel flywheel for the 472/500 cranks that will accept common GM 10.5" and 11" clutches for about $325 from the Caddy performance aftermaket suppliers.

    Ditto on the crank machining being a possible issue except there is absolutely nothing wrong with making a bronze bushing and fitting it in the crank pilot. I've done that with unmachined Pontiac cranks from big car AT applications and it works fine. I had one made from scratch at a local electric motor machine shop and it cost $10. If you had a running motor that you didn't want to pull apart to machine the crank, the bushing is certainly worth a shot.
     
  6. QMOTOX
    Joined: Jun 8, 2008
    Posts: 89

    QMOTOX
    Member
    from STL, MO

    http://www.mtscadparts.net/servlet/the-48/Flywheel--dsh--Billet-Steel/Detail

    MTS and others sell the flywheel and like said above you'll need to machine a pilot bushing.

    Be carefull with the clutch and gas pedals. The big caddys make a lot of torque even in stock form. If it's going in a heavy car or you manage to get some good traction be prepared to have a spare trans nearby.
     
  7. Chief_Wannabe
    Joined: Sep 15, 2009
    Posts: 84

    Chief_Wannabe
    Member
    from Ozark, MO

    Here's another Cad performance parts source. I just noticed they sell pilot bushings. That's just too easy.

    http://www.cad500parts.com
     
  8. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,986

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

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