472 Cadillac engine into a 57 Belair

[Blt2Lst]

I was wondering if anyone has tried to install a cadillac 472ci engine in a 57 chevy and what problems they might have encountered.

Why?
Because i have both.

[Blue Bowtie]

Problems? Aside from transmission bell incompatibilitties (which can be overcome with a Trans-Dapt) ad a few other minor mounting problems, the biggest thing would be loads of torque at the bottom but no top end power. Cadillac heads just don't flow all that well. The engines are great for launching and accelerating a 6,000 pound sedan to road speed, but not much horsepower beyond that. Unfortunately, there aren't many aftermarket head choices, or factory castings that are much better than what you might have - Unless yoiu have a '72 or later with almost no compression. You can do only so much with the cam and valves before the heads become a bottleneck. A 396 BBC can easily make more horsepower, although would strain to make the kind of torque generated by the Caddy. 525 ft/lb is nothing to sneeze at, eveen if it starts to decline like a waterfall at 4,300 RPM.

With the front-end oil pump you may have some pan clearance issues, too. That aside, there should be pleny of room in the bay so long as you keep the fan short.

For this installation I opted for this kind of torque instead:

[bobss396]

There is a decent underground for hotrodding Caddy motors, you just have to find the information, try a google search or two.

I suggest using the TH400 that comes with the engine, you might have to adapt some mounts for it but the project is doable. I saw one in a '65 Belair that ran well with a mild cam and a Holley on it. If you're committed to the project, help is out there.

Bob

[Blt2Lst]

Is that a TPI small block in your 57?
If so, what trans did you use and how did you address the wiring.
Thanks

Al

[Blue Bowtie]

Surely it can be done, but there are limitations of how much iron can be removed from the stock head castings to provide upper end flow. Then again, with gearing to keep it away from 5,500+ RPM that wouldn't be a real problem.

As for the '57, it isn't mine, it was just my project. If was rewired complete to accomodate the ECM, fuel pump, all the sensors, etc. The only thing it doesn't have is cat converters and an EVAP canister, but I programmed those out along with the inputs for the auto trans. It has a TH350 but no VSS, no top gear switch, and no TCC. With the programming changes, the ECM doesn't care.

Some of the MAF/FP wiring:



The power wiring, ALDL, and MIL:



And a closer look at the engine:



Sorry for hijacking the thread, but he asked...

As for the Caddy heads, you may be better off if you start with 651 castings or get out your wallet and shop here:

http://www.cad500parts.com/