How difficult is it to mate a 55 motor to a 38 standard transmission? I have been told that 53 is the last year that they will match up. There must be an old thread on this somewhere but I can't find one. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob Smits #2426
I can't help you there Robert. Never tried it, but I feel if it was as easy as that we would have seen a lot more pre war Cadillacs with 50s engines fitted and I can't say I have! Anyone else???
When I was a senior in high school I put a floor shift Cad transmission behind a 57 Olds J2 and dropped it in my 53 Ninety Eight hard top. Very satisfying ride, wish I would have kept it. The reason for my question is that I have the 38 with a cracked block and a low milage 55 motor is available I have been unavailable to find a rebuilt flathead for some time although finding a flathead to rebuild may end up being the simple solution
Perhaps contacting one of the engine/transmission adapter companies will get you the help you need. Two of the big dogs ---
Bendtsen's --- http://www.transmissionadapters.com/
Wilcap --- http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html
There are others to be found with a Google search
A 55 motor cannot be mated to a standard transmission because in that model year Cadillac changed the back of the engine in a way that a standard transmission could no longer be used with it. (If you want to know the details email me at jaysfriedman@yahoo.com.)
FYI: Oldsmobiles could still be equipped with a standard transmission in both 57 and 53. In fact, 50 Oldsmobiles with a standard transmission used a Cadillac type transmission so, as you must know, a floor shift Cad transmission will bolt right up to a 1950s Olds engine if a 50 Olds stick bell housing is used.
While 53 was the last year Cadillacs could be equipped with a standard transmission (Hydramatic was standard equipment from 54), in fact a 54 motor could be mated to a standard transmission and Cadillac still supplied replacement engines for pre-54 cars with stick shift. This was no longer true from 1955.
I have heard of a 55 Cad motor used in a race car with a manual transmission, but to do so the sponsors of the race team spent lots of money to fabricate a special bell housing and adapter. I think a better solution is that you try to find a 49-54 Cad motor for your 38 since they will bolt right up to your 38 transmission if you use a 49-53 stick bell housing. Nonetheless, the best solution is that you find a re-buildable flathead since you may have to do quite a bit of adapting to install the 49-54 motor in your 38. (You may want to contact CLC member Brad Ipsen who installed a 50 or 51 motor in a 40 LaSalle.) Or, maybe again, one of the firms 35-709 suggests may help.
Thank you to everyone who replied. The knowledge of participants on this forum never ceases to amaze me. When I heard about the low milage 55 motor with all the accessories it sounded like a great solution. The 38 has been sitting in my cc garage for 30 years because I have always had other projects. I think I will concentrate on finding and rebuilding a 41-48 flathead.
Bob Smits #2426
I would be interested to put the 55 motor into my 55. Than I could still cruise around while rebuilding my original engine.