If you've been scouring the internet for the Cadillac 500 engine for sale , a person likely know that already you're hunting for one particular of the almost all underrated torque monsters ever manufactured in Detroit. There is something almost mythical about an 8. 2-liter V8 that was designed to move massive luxury land private yachts with effortless grace, only to become a favorite for warm rodders, truck pullers, and airboat fans decades later. Getting one today isn't as easy since it had been in the 90s, however they are nevertheless out there if you know where to appear and what to avoid.
The Cadillac 500 (the 7. 2L) was just produced from 1970 through 1976. For the first several years, it was unique to the Eldorado, which means if you're looking for the high-compression "holy grail" versions, you're looking for a 1970 model yr. By 1975 plus 1976, it became the normal engine for most of the Cadillac selection, but by after that, emissions gear plus lower compression experienced sapped a few of the natural power. However, the torque—that massive, stump-pulling grunt—remained the engine's signature trait.
Why this engine still tops the list for several builders
Most people assume that due to the fact it's a 500-cubic-inch engine, it must weigh as much as a small planet. Surprisingly, that's not the case. One associated with the reasons a Cadillac 500 engine for sale gets snapped up so quickly is definitely its weight-to-displacement ratio. The block is definitely cast with a higher nickel content, making it very strong, but the overall design is surprisingly slender. It actually weighs considerably less than a Big Block Chevy and is just about 60 pounds heavier than a Small Block Chevy in the event that you swap out there the cast metal intake for a good aluminum one.
Then there's the torque. In 1970, these engines had been rated at 550 lb-ft of torque right off the set up line. Your later "smog era" versions still publish incredible numbers at reduced RPMs. This makes them perfect for heavy vehicles or even anyone who desires to win the stoplight drag competition without having to scream the engine to 7, 500 RPM. It's "lazy" power, and it feels incredible upon the street.
Where to begin your search for a Cadillac 500
You won't usually find these sitting upon the shelf at the local auto parts store. Finding a Cadillac 500 engine for sale usually requires a bit of private eye work.
Facebook Industry and Craigslist are still the kings for this kind of thing. You'll often find someone separating out an old 1975 Coupe de Ville or a good Eldorado that has observed better days. The particular key here is definitely to look for the car itself, not really just the engine. Many sellers don't realize that the "old Caddy engine" within their rusted-out donor car is in fact a 500. If you discover a 1970-1976 Eldorado, it's guaranteed in order to possess the 500 unless someone swapped it out. If it's a 1975-1976 RWD Cadillac (like a Fleetwood or sobre Ville), it'll most likely possess the 500 mainly because well.
Specialty forums are another goldmine. Sites dedicated to Cadillac energy or general big-block enthusiasts often have got classified sections exactly where members sell long blocks or completely machined projects. The benefit the following is that the seller usually knows exactly what they have, and they might have currently done some associated with the hard work, like cleaning the block out or checking for cracks.
Local junkyards (the "pick-n-pull" variety) are becoming slimmer on these motors, but they do pop up. Most of the 70s iron has been crushed by today, but in several rural yards, you may still find a vintage Cadillac sitting in the back row. If you find one, grab the whole thing—brackets, pulleys, plus all—because finding those small parts afterwards can be a real headache.
What to look for before a person buy
When you finally locate a Cadillac 500 engine for sale , don't let the particular excitement blind a person. These engines are rugged, but they aren't bulletproof, specifically after sitting for twenty years in someone's humid garage.
First, check the casting numbers. You want to make sure it's actually a 500 and not its slightly smaller brother, the 472. Visually, they look identical through the outside. Really the only way to inform them apart with out measuring the stroke is by checking the crank casting number or pulling a spark plug and using the piece of wire to measure how long the piston moves.
Look for signs associated with "mayonnaise" under the particular oil cap. This particular usually indicates a blown head gasket or, worse, the cracked block through someone letting water sit inside it during a freeze. Also, try to change the engine more than by hand with the breaker bar on the crank bolt. If it's grabbed, it doesn't mean it's junk, but it does mean you should be paying "core" costs, not "running engine" prices.
The cost associated with entry: What should you pay?
Pricing for a Cadillac 500 engine for sale has climbed a bit lately. A decade ago, you could discover these types of for $200 most day long. Right now, a rebuildable primary will likely set a person back anywhere through $500 to $1, 000 . If the engine is really a 1970 high-compression model, anticipate to pay a premium.
When you're looking at a professionally rebuilt or "mildly built" 500, the cost can jump in to the $3, 500 to $6, 500 range. While that will sounds steep, remember that machining costs plus quality parts for these engines aren't as cheap as they are for a Chevy 350. There exists a little bit of a "Cadillac tax" when it comes to automotive aftermarket performance parts, even though companies like MTS (Maximum Torque Specialties) have made it very much easier to discover what you need.
Swapping the particular 500 into your task
If you're planning on putting this beast into a different chassis—say, a Chevy C10 or an older Cutlass—there are a few issues to keep in mind. The oil pan is usually a big 1. Eldorados were front wheel drive, so these people used an exclusive rear-sump pan that works well for many swaps, whilst RWD Cadillacs used a mid-sump pan that can interfere with crossmembers in a lot of cars.
You'll also need to think about the transmission. The particular Cadillac 500 uses the BOP (Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac) bolt design , not typically the standard Chevy design. If you've got a Chevy TH350 or TH400, it won't bolt up without an adapter plate. Most individuals just hunt for a TH400 that came out associated with a BOP car to help keep things basic.
Is the Cadillac 500 ideal for you?
At the end of the day time, looking for the Cadillac 500 engine for sale is all about wanting some thing different. It's for the person which desires to lift the particular hood at a car show plus see a huge, wide engine that fills the gulf. It's for the particular driver who would like to feel that massive wave of torque force them back straight into the seat without the engine ever sounding like it's working hard.
It's a specialized engine having a loyal following. It's not the cheapest route to power, and it's certainly not really the most typical, but it has the character that modern LS swaps just can't replicate. If you find one that's in good shape, don't think twice too much time. They aren't making any even more of them, and the supply of "old Caddies in the particular barn" is drying up every year. Whether you're building an individual or a devoted tow rig, the 500 is a legendary piece associated with American engineering that still delivers the particular goods.