BlueChev
I put a 455 Buick in a 51 panel. I like the big torquey GM lightweight castings
from the late 60s/70s, too. I kept the stock axle, but upgraded to discs and the CPP power steering system. The truck stops great and steers like a 70's Coupe DeVille!
I also like to build these motors up in my newly "retired" state. I have two Buicks in process and a completely rebuilt 500 Caddy all done on the stand (and on eBay right now!).
The Cads and Buicks are very close in dimensions as far as motor mounting.
I was going to modify a tubular mount from TransDapt that was intended to put a small block in a stove bolt 47-54. However, after measuring about a a hundred times I found that TransDapt's mount to place a 460 Ford in a Ford F100 actually was better fit (roughly 17 1/2 inches centerline of engine mount bolts for the Buick) for my swap.
It was also a stouter build due to the boxlike structure required for a Ford mount.
I only had to narrow the engine mount pad slightly to accommodate the Buick. ONce this fit is satisfactory all you have to do is do the final weld up of the ends of the tube.
The only interference I had ( same for the Caddy I believe) is that I had to remotely mount the oil filter to clear the forward frame crossmember. I could have cut into it, but I now have the oil filter on the inner fender where it is so easy to change!
FYI I used the stock Buick exhaust manifolds. I like column shifters, so used a 33" tilt column from CPP and moved it outboard & down slightly (2" or so) for optimum
positioning of shifter and alignment to the new power steering box location.
Using stock but recored radiator with a 14 inch pusher out in front. Runs at 190-200 in 95 degree heat!
Again, this is all for a Buick, but should be very similar for the 500 Caddy.
You'll love the front distributor mounting as well! Let's it all tuck back nice and tight. I used the MSD Billet distributor with their 6A ignition system. No vacuum can to mess with; simply select the right set of springs in the kit to match your driving style. With the Edelbrock manifold the setup only weighs about 30 lbs more than a SBC. (the stock Buick manifold weighs 83 lbs with a carb on it!!)
The Caddy engine has two sets of holes in their motor mount bosses that make it easy to fab a simple mount up or you can get one of those "universal" Caddy swap kits form the Caddy specialty place like Potters, The Cad Store, MTS, etc.
Hope this helps .... There is no substitute for big torque and bigger Cubic inches!
