62 Cadillac
#1
62 Cadillac
Just decided to do an LS swap in my 62 Cadillac ... getting rid of the relic 390ci motor and Hydromatic trans (I was going to keep the original trans, but the bellhousing won't mate to the LS). I was thinking something basic like a 5.3 / 4L60E conversion. I found a low milage (17K miles) 05 Chevy 1500 truck as a donor, but I wanted to do some research first before I bought anything.
I have a few questions ...
1) Does anyone sell LS swap motor mounts for the 62 Caddy? Are they the same style as standard sbc mounts?
2) What is involved in converting a 4L60E out of a 4x4 truck to a 2wd setup? swap the output shaft and tail housing? where to buy? Or just look for a complete used 2wd trans?
3) Will the truck intake, pulley system and exhaust manifolds fit in the engine bay?
4) What else will I need? Any other advise??
I have a few questions ...
1) Does anyone sell LS swap motor mounts for the 62 Caddy? Are they the same style as standard sbc mounts?
2) What is involved in converting a 4L60E out of a 4x4 truck to a 2wd setup? swap the output shaft and tail housing? where to buy? Or just look for a complete used 2wd trans?
3) Will the truck intake, pulley system and exhaust manifolds fit in the engine bay?
4) What else will I need? Any other advise??
#2
Launching!
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If you are interested in a complete 429/th400 out of a 67 I have one...will bolt right in.
for your questions....
no one will have a motor mount that will bolt in. You'll need to fabricate
i'd look for a 2wd trans
I doubt the exhaust will work, but you'd have to try it and see. This is not a bolt-in installation at all...will take lots of test fitting, fabricating, etc. But will be well worth it if you see it thru.
Is your '62 a coupe?
for your questions....
no one will have a motor mount that will bolt in. You'll need to fabricate
i'd look for a 2wd trans
I doubt the exhaust will work, but you'd have to try it and see. This is not a bolt-in installation at all...will take lots of test fitting, fabricating, etc. But will be well worth it if you see it thru.
Is your '62 a coupe?
#3
I was hoping someone was already manufacturing some LS conversion motor mounts for the 62 Caddy. I thought I would do my homework before I bought or started the building process. Lots of options to consider ...
#4
I love the LS engines but don't overlook the appeal of old school engines. Your Caddy is a big heavy car needing a torque monster to move it. The 390 freshened up would be so much easier to do than anything else. The 429 from A VAS sounds good too. A non mainstream swap like you suggest could take your car off the road for a while. Don't forget engine mounts, oil pan space, tranny mount, trans tunnel space, driveshaft, wiring, cooling, fuel delivery, exhaust, etc, etc, etc.
If I learn from my mistakes, I should be a genius by now
If I learn from my mistakes, I should be a genius by now
#5
Launching!
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There are universal motor mount solutions out there, but lining them up with the cross member on your 62 is where you will need to fabricate. You may need to bring some tabs forward off the cross member to meet up with the new engine. 1/4" steel plate w/ some gussets should do it. Search Ebay for mounts, or BRP hotrods is a sponsor of this site has them, as well as others I'm sure.
Your 390 is a front sump oil pan I believe....so you'd need to look for a 2004-2006 GTO oil pan. If your 390 is rear sump, then look for an Fbody pan or LH8 out of a hummer. The truck pans are rear sump, but will hang too low.
Where you located....cause this 429 I have is in great shape and cheap...I'm in central PA. A good running 429 will burn tires up in a hurry.
Your 390 is a front sump oil pan I believe....so you'd need to look for a 2004-2006 GTO oil pan. If your 390 is rear sump, then look for an Fbody pan or LH8 out of a hummer. The truck pans are rear sump, but will hang too low.
Where you located....cause this 429 I have is in great shape and cheap...I'm in central PA. A good running 429 will burn tires up in a hurry.
#6
I'm in Calgary, Canada ... but I'm not intersted in a 429 or anything carberated. I'll either do the LS swap of stick with the 390 for now. How different can the engine mounts be from the 58-64 Impala swap units? Or maybe I'll be stuck with fabricating my own.
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#8
TECH Resident
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i was....but i never did...i just sold my 59 caddy less than a year ago and i wanted to do the swap but i had no choice...sell the caddy or my 1st gen...i regret selling it but **** it now i have a 1st gen ls1
#11
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I know this sounds weird but have you thought about using a Duramax take out?
something like this ebay item # 170276496433. That would be badass in a Caddy.
something like this ebay item # 170276496433. That would be badass in a Caddy.
Last edited by Tobynine9; 11-13-2008 at 04:34 PM.
#12
Someone has already shoved a Duramax in a '65 Impala it hauled ***. I think it was in Hot Rod Magazine, can't remember. That would definitely be a neat combination and you might even get really good fuel mileage. It won't be cheap though...you think an LS motor is pricey...I own a duramax powered Chevy truck and I cringe at the thought of any serious repairs to that thing.