In a message dated 07/13/2001 4:37:17 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
littlejoker76@hotmail.com writes:
<< I have a 77' cadillac sedan deville with a 425big block and
a 400R . has anyone out there perfromed a similar swap or just some friendly
advice . also will the trucks rear end handle the cad'c 385lbs of torque? >>
I installed an Olds 403 in my '62. It was from a 78 Bonneville, so the issues
are probably similar. I do know that some Cad engines used strange oil pan
configurations, be sure to check this. Also, get the front (side) engine
frame mounts from the car. Use these to build the mounts in the truck. I
installed the tilt steering column along with a power steering conversion. Be
sure to keep the power steering pump and pulleys, etc. You may want them
later. I retained the column shifter and used the linkage from the car by
cutting and welding to fit.
If you have room to store the car rear end for a little while, keep it around
just in case, but the truck rear should hold up. The car gear ratio would be
nice to lower your cruising rpm, though. With that kind of torque, you won't
be needing the truck's low, 6-cylinder gear ratio. BTW, there are probably
lots of rears more suited to easy installation in your truck.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your swap. It sounds like a good one to me!
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