Cadillac 472?

[The Stickman]

Would a Cadillac 472 be any good? I know where there is one cheap. But If I did that I would need to make the Custom Cruiser a 4spd as the 200R4 wouldn't take that engine, I don't think. But I am also considering making the wagon a 4spd anyway.

[J-(Chicago)]

Originally Posted by The Stickman

Would a Cadillac 472 be any good? I know where there is one cheap. But If I did that I would need to make the Custom Cruiser a 4spd as the 200R4 wouldn't take that engine, I don't think. But I am also considering making the wagon a 4spd anyway.

Hell yes.
They are expensive to build up though.
If it's a lower mileage runner, drop that torque pig in there.

[mkube396]

yes get it!!!!! with just a crank and pistons i think u can have a 500 CID engine!!! but parts can be a little $$$$

[70W-32]

Cadillacs didnt come with manual transmissions, so finding a flywheel might be difficult. As mentioned, performance parts can be expensive. If youre gonna go that route, look for a 500ci instead.

[Vern]

I was looking for an Olds 455 when I ran across a "take it I have to move and I don't have no place for it" Cadillac 500. I was afraid of the fuel consumption as I wanted to drive & enjoy it a lot so the idea of 10 mpg was out for me. So I had a street strip build up done on a 200-4r. Its held up to great abouse for 9,000 miles. I use a lock up converter, a q-jet, a reasonable cam and get 17mpg highway and about 12 or 13 in town. Bottom line is if you are going to mount slicks or drag radials you will eventually need the billet drum/shaft thing for the trans to hold the torque. Its about a $300 part on top of a typically $1,500 street strip build. If you are keeping the regular street radials you could get buy without that part but would still need at least a good shift kit like www.ckperformance.com sells ($99 on special) a large cheap transmission cooler, and a few other upgrades. The four speed has been done but I don't know how check out www.cadillacpower.com and do a search.

Actually just a crank away from a 500 it uses same pistons & rods. No reason not to use the 472 just a little less torque and a little more rpm same heads so really about the same horsepower. If you want for your goals a single plane intake, aluminum heads, custom forged rods & pistons then yes parts are marginally higher. I used for my rpm / power goals a simple Edelbrock aluminum dual plane intake, reconditioned rods with good bolts and new cast pistons. Cheap. To 400HP or to 500HP with good porting the power to price on a pumpgas Cadillac very competative. Beyond that it is not. My setup makes about 450HP & 570TQ shifts at the factory GN 200-4r transmission wot shift points of 5200.

For stock rebuild kits etc check out www.northernautoparts.com good prices. For an excellent steet performance vendor check out MTS at www.500cid.com Marty gives excellent honest customer first advice. For a good cheap simple hop up to a solid stocker look into MT-10 cam & springs kit, a new quality timeing chain, and the shorty CAD 600 headers for a g-body. If you don't want to cut out and port the stock intake and add a 1" spacer get the Edelbrock dual plane and drop some weight. They also have motor mount kits to make installation into a gbody quicker and easier.

[TylerW]

A TH400 would work fine behind it with the stock gear and you should be able to even use the same crossmember.

It would actually make a Custom Cruiser a worthy tow vehicle.If my car is any example, towing with a 307 is life-threatening...I have to pull the mountain outside of town in second gear just the car alone

[Beeterolds]

you cant beat the pure grunt of Oldschool Cadillac power!! those things will pull a house down!!!

Yea I agree with beeter, them caddys are quiet the beast.. but like everyone says..their pricey to build$$$

[Vern]

Th-400 is generally the best choice unless you plan to put say 6,000+ miles per year on her. And or are really trying to build the best street strip car you can well at least for reasonable money otherwise you might look at a 4l80E plus controller etc or a gear vendors.

On the pricey to rebuild thing have you actually checked it out? For a master rebuild kit ie rings, pistons, all bearings, oil pump, cam, lifters, timeing chain & gears, freeze plugs, & gaskets all name brand.

Olds 455 $647.10
Cad 500 $730.88

I don't know but the extra $83 doesnt seem like a break the bank difference to me. Add in the value of 45ci displacement. These are regular price in stock no specials at northernautoparts listed above. Also in my experience the machine work costs are about the same sometimes a little less. They rarely require anything special to fix casting or wear problems as they had the highest quality castings and materials of the day. Also most of these are comeing out of old blue hairs boat that was never spun hard or abused. A lot of these you can simply add cam, lifters, springs, and a new quality timeing chain & oil pump and flat TERRORISE the neighborhoods. They don't have to spin hard and just WON'T break!.. well except for everything in your driveline. If you put traction under them they will break your transmission, driveshaft, rear, axels,.. but hey you can't wipe that chit eatin grin off face when you are lookin at the carnage.

Originally Posted by Beeterolds

you cant beat the pure grunt of Oldschool Cadillac power!! those things will pull a house down!!!

Oh yeah , an old buddy , lord knows wheres he's at now . He used to have a early 70's hearse , puke green rust and primer . With a 472 , that beast had to weigh over 5,000 lbs easly . But it would just aniliate tires for a whole block with no sign of letting up . We would go to the mall with like 10 people in it , folks always gave us the strangest looks . I think he paid $ 400 for it , so I'd say there worth it

[Vern]

If I may what are they asking for it, what year, does it run, and is it in the car?

[Eightupman]

There is a running one with a transmission in Pittsfield Mass... 80K on the clock. Can hear run I beleive. just throwing it out there.

John

[The Stickman]

Originally Posted by Vern

If I may what are they asking for it, what year, does it run, and is it in the car?

It's $75, but it's been sitting for years. I would have to find someone to pick it up for me. I think I am going to pass on it. I bought a really good 350 Olds engine and I still have to drill and tap the airpump holes in the heads.

[Vern]

At $50 or $75 you might just pick it up to have it. Early 68 thru 73 heads uncracked will bring that. If its a 74,5,6 people will buy the HEI. Also Q-jet prices have been steadily riseing for several years a decent rebuildable core will normally get $25 to 35.

[geckonz07]

That might be but I am going the other way --a 425 olds into an 86 (307 OLDS)F/wood Brougham.I also have a 77 caddy with original 425 injected engine.My guess is that the 86 with the toro 425 will tear strips off the 77 425-injected or not --Hey it`s all good fun

[kmsteinb]

I like the idea. They do make monster torque. I have 69 conv. that I bought over 24 years ago. Did a near stock rebuild on the 472 back then and used to load up with 5 buddies and leave long a$$ patches through second in a freaking Titanic. I just cruse the thing now though.

[lostsheep]

i have one of these monster 472's i was gonn crush it but i might just keep it for the '81 untill my blown350dx build is done