Cadillac 500 swap for '62??

[fslay]

I used to be interested in the '73-'87 Chevy trucks, but have begun to enjoy the '60-'66 trucks. A popular swap for the 73-87 trucks is the 500 Cadillac swap...anybody ever done this swap for a 60-66 Chevy truck? Mine is a '62 shortbed stepside, and now has a 235 and a 3-speed on the column. Anybody?

[ghetto_superman]

a few people have done it to 67-72's.. i will be doing it soon.. and if most of the front suspension components from 63-66 interchange from 67-87, then i dont see why it wouldnt work. it would pry work the same for 60-62 as well... but im not too "torsion bar savvy" longhorn man is the pro at the caddy stuff. and pretty much everything else too.

[tygaboy]

I have a 500 Caddy in my 61 Suburban. Let me know if I can help at all. I didn't do the install but could send pics, etc. Call me if interested.
Chris
925-708-5295

[zenish]

i have a cad 500 in my 64.

[ChiefRocka]

Just curious...why a caddy 500? and not a 454 or 502 ??

[fslay]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Just curious...why a caddy 500? and not a 454 or 502 ??

The 472/500 Cadillac big-bock is probably the most overlooked engine today. It has huge displacement numbers, but is also great for another reason...they say if you put an aluminum intake on it, it only weighs like 50 more pounds than an iron-headed small block Chevy. Its low weight is because of the high-nickel content in the block. They make gobs of torque, and they are reasonable to buy. The big-block Chevys are great engines, but are very heavy compared to the Caddy. Plus, you don't see too many Cadillac engines used compared to Chevys. Just a matter of personal choice more than anything.

[Woogeroo]

so... merely curious... what year caddy engine blocks are the best?

-W

[fslay]

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

so... merely curious... what year caddy engine blocks are the best?

-W

My research leads me to believe that all 500 Cadillac blocks are high-quality, high-nickel blocks. The only real difference in any of the 500 engines would be the heads and the addition of HEI ignition on the later engines. Early heads have smaller combustion chambers, which increases compression ratio. People tell me that the later large-chambered heads are fine unless you plan to build a real hot-rod, and then the older heads show more of a benefit from the go-fast parts you add. You can visit the site
www.500cid.com and learn anything you want about these engines.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by fslay

My research leads me to believe that all 500 Cadillac blocks are high-quality, high-nickel blocks. The only real difference in any of the 500 engines would be the heads and the addition of HEI ignition on the later engines. Early heads have smaller combustion chambers, which increases compression ratio. People tell me that the later large-chambered heads are fine unless you plan to build a real hot-rod, and then the older heads show more of a benefit from the go-fast parts you add. You can visit the site
www.500cid.com and learn anything you want about these engines.

I know they are used greatly in off-road engine conversions.....They are Torque monsters, and you can get then to idle down really lloooow.

John

[624whldr]

they bolt right up to the 350 olds deisel trans that why a lot of late 70s 2 and 4 whldr truck used them to replace those P.O.S s and the access match up also.
Ed

[qksilver]

BOP bolt pattern

[fslay]

Well, I managed to get a SWB '62 stepside for a whopping $50!! I am very interested in the 500 swap, but I am somewhat intimidated by three things:

1. torsion bar front suspension---the extra weight of the 500 (you can't exactly just replace the coil springs with heavier units)

2. my truck has a 3-speed on the column---can I just find a steering column from a truck with a turbo-hydramatic transmission??

3. the '62 rear end---all I am familiar with are the 10, 12 and 14-bolt rear ends from newer trucks.

Of course, I would have to fabricate motor mounts from scratch, but I think it will be cool once I get through with it.

[zenish]

the cad engine with an edlebrock intake weighs only 100 pounds more than a small block chevy and probably less than a 235.