Roadkill's 1958 Cadillac - PROJECT THREAD

[ianjpage]

ahh cool sounds interesting and quite handy!

[Incursus]

cool

[Roadkill]

Engine's complete.  

Trans still in discussions.

EDIT

Transmission pretty-much sorted but we're now discussing a controller for the switch-pitch . . to get the best of both worlds.

[ianjpage]

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: Roadkill

for the switch-pitch

[Roadkill]

My brain is now on transmission information overload !!!



But I think we're there, now.

We started off considering using a simple BOP TH400 . . . . then deviated on to a Switch-pitch '400 . . . then, after multiple discussions and hours of reading . . . looked at installing a 4L80E !!! - Modern or what !!??

Simple physics prevailed in the end . . . after doing the calculations the 4L80E's would deliver an engine RPM of only around 1680rpm @ 70mph . . . meaning the engine would never be at it's ideal power and efficiency band at motorway speeds.

By comparison the TH400 (SP) would be around 2250rpm at the same speed with its top gear ratio of 1:1 (the 4L80E has an overdrive of 0.75:1).

[Cunning Plan]

Whenever I look at this:



I think 'BEAST' and hear that off-beat V8 burble that I love.

Please tell me it will sound like that..

Or this:

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(YouTube links are not working )

[Andy]

Gotta delete the 's' on the end of the Http part.

Dean, did you look at the option of Gear Vendors over drives? I got the impression they were the best option for early cars with TH350/400 boxes who wanted OD to improve mileage.

[Andy]

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: Andy

Gotta delete the 's' on the end of the Http part.

I thank you.

[Roadkill]

CP - The camshaft is pretty serious (but within useable range and also within what the other parts in the motor and trans can do) so it'll have a pretty good thump.

Andy - Yeah Gear Vendors was one of my first ports of call but they're mega pricy and it would leave me with the same issue as the 4L80E - the revs at motorway speed in top gear would be too low.

The other option is to go for "lower" gears in the axle but that'd mean a new axle .....

[Roadkill]

Latest pictures (these will probably be the last)

Trans should be ready on the 31st March.

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[Cunning Plan]

You can really notice the two types of metal now.

[Roadkill]

The cast ally valve covers were a must.  As soon as I saw the picture I knew I'd got the right ones.

[Titsy]

Quoting: Roadkill

The cast ally valve covers were a must. As soon as I saw the picture I knew I'd got the right ones.

Paint or anodise and the machine skim across the embossing to make it look sharp

[Roadkill]

Nah, I could've bought those if I'd wanted.  I like the dull finish . . reckon it'll age nice.

[ianjpage]

That's looking very nice!!

[Roadkill]

Have finalised discussions re. the brakes.  Should be completing that transaction on Monday.

The basic jist of it is that the Caddy should be receiving front and rear disc conversions and will also be getting a modern style brake booster, making it a twin circuit system.

Suspension will be next.  I'll clarify that later.

[Andy]

Is that going to be a modern system too which has a crossover front to back?

[Roadkill]

No, the booster is basically like the one under the hood of your Camaro . . . but a dual system is a major upgrade !

(Especially as my current booster needs topping up before EVERY journey).

[Roadkill]

I took some pictures last Sunday as I needed some to ponder what to do with her exterior and interior.

Here's some of the highlights . . . "Before" shots . . .

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http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Roadkill-Auto/media/The%20Cadillac%20-%20Before/1965521_10203274622896607_403219361_o_zps9c08c83d.jpg.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">
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[Cunning Plan]

BEAST.

What does the writing on the tailgate say?

[Roadkill]

"Well, Buddy when I die, throw my body in the back - take me to the junkyard in my Cadillac ...."

[Roadkill]

Just added everything up.

May have to leave the suspension off for now . . . That's a whole chunk of cash I don't have access to.

[Cunning Plan]

What are you doing with the old engine?

Is there any money in that to put towards shiny, new suspension?