Hot Rods Good bye Flaty, HELLO Caddy!

Wow---Atwater Mike just reminded me of Dick Sansoni's 40 Ford Tudor, circa 1959-61. He didn't get on it much, but when he did it had balls. Damn. 5/1--edit: it was a 331 with a 39 toploader.

 

Thanks for the story Mike, Unfortunately, it is a complete different story now to find the parts needed to install the caddy in a 32...;-)

 

Loving the updates,Pete.I really enjoyed your build in the beginning,now it's that much sweeter.

 

Brings back memories of "back in the day " in about 1954 or 54 a club member had a homemade sports car with a forty Ford frame, '39 tranny and a 331 Cadillac with a two barrel carb. First time out at the Akron drags he beat a Mercedes 300SL. Came back to the pits with his helmet on backwards he was so happy.

 

Here is a few pictures of the engine now sitting by his own in the car


Unfortunately, The exhaust manifold I ordered are for 331, I didn't know that 365 have larger exhaust port, therefore, I have to find a set of 1959/60 exhaust manifold with center outlet in order to finish the installation...

Does anyone know if shorter water pump exists? I have issues with the Fan blade hitting my radiator...

thanks

 

As far as I know all the water pumps are the same length.

 

Nice switch, and totally goes with your car...
Also I would assume you will enjoy cruising at higher speeds when necessary a lot more with the Caddy

 

Here is last night pictures, waiting for my exhaust manifold to start the beast...;-)

 

Exterior pics... rain finally stop...;-)

 

Find a different water pump pulley, one that's not as deep, press the hub that the pulley bolts to farther on the shaft, trim the excess shaft. I've done this a few times and it works fantastic

 

Thanks , I found a fan that fit ;-)

 

Wouaaaaa Super Pete

 

A couple years ago I had perfect exhaust manifold for sale dirt cheap (30 Euro) from my 390, nobody got interested. I gave them to my scrap guy neighbor, he was very happy. Had I known I would have kept them for you.

 

I was told by a friend and a guy who knows WHAT to use to build it right when building a hot rod without a flatty the ultimate motors to ue were Caddy and Olds. Should be ready to finally fire mine this week or next.

 

Nice engine ;-)

 

Chris, I'm working on this engine from the last month only...thanks anyway ;-)

 

what kind of carb linkage are you going to use.

 

direct linkage, with cable throttle pedal

 

sorry, progressive or 1 to 1. motor looks awesome. folks really dig something different than the flathead. I get lots of questions on why I have an olds mill in my 53 chevy. Because THEY did....

 

1 to 1 linkage , I did a few hot rods with flathead, from mild to wild, strokers, blown... and still love it, I just had the possibility to get this caddy mil, and decide to follow the ''what hotrodders did in the mild fifties'' and of course , the idea of running more power is always a motivation

 

Hi all, here is the start of the engine, running good, I will have to redo the engine as i have a lot of blow by...

 

Just a great looking car!!

 

Sounds great and I like those exhaust manifolds

 

Blowby is traditional... it may clear up a bit as you run it.

 

I have a lot of blow by....but installed a PCV and it do the trick for now ;-)

 

great choice. Im a big fan of the looks of the caddy motors with all cool speed parts one them. Stock is cool to. Nice car!!

 

Always loved the old Caddy mill and can't wait to see it fire up and move again under its own power.

 

I can smell the rubber now. Great job.

 

little video, lot of speed bumps , will try to make a better one soon...