caddy 500 swap ????

[Power Trip]

I am wanting to install a 500 caddy along with the tranny at one time. My truck has a low hump cab and a manual crossmember. Is it possible to install the auto tranny crossmember before the installation of the motor. The reason I ask is that the cab is not bolted down and I'm able to remove it completely. I figure it would be easier to put it in. Would I mount it in the original holes from the factory or would it have to be relocated ? Also the motor mounts, can I use the ones off of the caddy or should I buy the kit from MTS? If the weather would cooperate I could have a caddy in the driveway by the end of the week so probably more ?????s will follow. Man I hope I made cents Jim

[Longhorn Man]

Jim, click on the caddy link in my signiture.
As for your crosmember question....depends on your tranny.
I say hang the combo where you plan on putting it, and then see where everything needs to get bolted.

[Power Trip]

sorry I meant to ask you about the motor mount towers is it possible to use the caddy towers or buy them from mts? Well then I will go ahead and mount the cab and and slide it on in. Thanks Andy I've read that site about 10 times always seem to miss something. Have you gotten any further with yours? Jim

[Earl Junior]

I'd say the cab deifinitely needs to be in place. Firewall clearance is a big issue and would be nearly impossible to figure out without the cab in place.

I don't think the auto crossmember sits in the same place. At least it didn't when I did the swap. I mounted the motor and the placed the cross member where it needed to be.

I followed longhornmail's install pretty darned closely, and it worked well for me.

[71MoneyPit]

check out the thread in the engine forum "Cadillac Engine", there is a lot of information on there from various people that are doing this swap, it really helped me out.

[71MoneyPit]

longhornmail- where did you find that avatar

[Longhorn Man]

I mounted my engine with teh tranny still in place, that way I knew I wouldn't be needing to move anythign or get my drive shaft chopped.
As for towers, I used what I had on hand...'72 big block towers. I hear the 73 and up are similar...and since they are not a one year only item, the 73 and up would be a bit easier to get your hands on. I just drilled some holes in the towers, and moved them way up on the chassis.
I've had that butt head giff for so long, I can'r remember where I got it.

[Power Trip]

well thanks for the help guys. I have been searching threw the posts to see if I missed anything and I did. So hopefully i'll have the cab mounted tomorrow and pick up the caddy saturday. Its a 76 deville w/500 auto,and power everything. Trust me I will take plenty of pics too of the swap. Jim

[Longhorn Man]

And I would love to put it on my site.
Just hope you don't meat me to the tire smoke...one on here already has.
I can't beleive he fololoed my instructions on my site, but beat me.
bummer.

[Power Trip]

well if i beat you to it i will save the tire smokin shots for when your done lol. Well your not that far behind are you?

[Longhorn Man]

Its all bolted in...but not wired plumbed, no drive shaft (need u-joints and carrier bearing) and all that happy jazz.

[71MoneyPit]

well hopefully in the next few days if it is not too nasty outside i might take the Money Pit around the block for the first time to make sure the gauges are working and get the fluid running through the tranny,( it's been sitting for a while)so far i have had it in and out of the garage a few times, but i haven't actually driven it or opened 'er up (just manifolds no exhaust but so far it seems to run pretty damn good, it chirps the tires when you put it in gear(its on gravel though) but it seems REALLY torquey

the only thing i have'nt tested yet is the elec. kickdown switch on the carb linkage, does anyone know what the correct throttle setting on the switch is. ( is it 3/4 throttle or almost full throttle?)