Someone asked me about my Cadillac engine swap and I thought it would be appropriate to post here and find out if anyone else has or is using a Cadillac in their '47 to '54 GM truck.
How about it? Anyone else admit to running a Cadillac? (I could name two or three others, but I'd rather let you self-identify.)
If so, what can you tell us that will help others be successful with this swap?
I'm putting a '76 Cadillac 500 with TH400 into a '54 GMC 1-ton. The frame on a 1-ton is a little different than the smaller trucks, but the sheet metal is the same as any other GMC and very similar to the Chevys.
The motor I plan to run came from a RWD car and I have the exhaust manifolds that were on the car. I also have a 500 from an Eldorado with the rear sump pan so I'm good on those details.
I test fit my motor and then pulled it out, pulled the cab off, and then started my IFS swap. I've not finished the IFS swap so haven't put the motor back in yet.
While I had it in place I determine that I would have to lift the cab, cut the floor in the toe board area, or remove the bell housing crossmember. Since I'm going IFS I decided to remove the crossmember.
I expect to either go with a remote oil filter to notch the front crossmember to clear the oil filter. I've not done this yet, and because I've put a power steering box on the outside of the frame near that crossmember I'm thinking I need to preserve the strength and regidity that crossmember brings.
The other challenge I could see in the mock-up stage is that the exhaust manifold on the passenger side exits far enough out from the motor that frame clearance might be a problem. I might be able to raise the motor some, but that raises the center of gravity and moves the motor back into the floor. I've seen other swaps where the builder trimmed the frame. I'm trying to avoid that approach.
What have you learned or what challenges are you facing on your Cadillac swap?
And a bonus question: Why a Cadillac motor?
