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Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by jeepcj on Aug 14, 2006, 8:56am
my truck has a tires chevy tall deck. for less than the cost of the chevy rebuild I can get a 69 Caddy 472 and turbo 400 both rebuilt.
What would you guys do? Oh my exsisting trans is a 540 Allison
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by bigwheelbob on Aug 14, 2006, 9:39am
Dang, 4 pages wasnt enough? LOL!! http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491581
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by tacomainoh on Aug 14, 2006, 10:00am
hahah
I'll say it again: KEEP THE 427!!! PARTS AVAILABILITY VS. COST IS BETTER
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by oilcan on Aug 14, 2006, 10:06am
Lots of answers over there. I'm sure you'll get a few here too, but ultimately, you'll be the one to make the decision.
From what I've seen so far... Flip a coin.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by barrman on Aug 14, 2006, 10:44am
I vote for the Chevy. Mainly for the above mentioned parts availablity. Take the distributor cap for instance. Just about every parts store in the US will have a Chevy V8 points cap on the shelf. Heck, most 7elevens probably do too. The Caddy one is going to be harder to find and cost a lot more. Same with a fuel pump. Or water pump or thermostat. Those are just the simple things.
It is all up to you, but keeping it simple really is a virtue.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by bigwheelbob on Aug 14, 2006, 12:30pm
I have had both engines in various trucks over the years, and they both do the job just fine. Great pulling at low rpm's. And if I aint mistaken chev, and cad use the same dist. caps. Parts for the cad are not a issue.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by barrman on Aug 14, 2006, 2:56pm
Bob, I agree about both engines being great below 3500 rpm. You might be right about the points cap. I was thinking of the HEI cap that cost $50.00 for the Caddy version without the rotor.
But, even though I used a bad example, the theory is still valid. 10 years from now, you will have spent a lot less on the Chevy engine just maintaining it. Having to do a rebuild will really kill you on the Caddy as far as prices go. I know, several places specialize in the big Caddy engines. But, it is like the 455 Buick which I think is just about the best all around big block ever built when it comes to low end torque. You can get the parts, but you will have to sell your truck to afford them.
I am sorry I messed up your thread about which engine to chose by seeming to argue with others. The choice is yours and you asked us our thoughts. Now you have mine. Build it so when you are done you won't think back and say "I should have done...."
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by raven on Aug 14, 2006, 3:41pm
Which engine you go with is a wash. They're both going to provide you with lots of thump. But you get the rebuilt TH400 with the 472, and at the same price that the rebuild of the 427 would cost you?
DUH! Buy the Caddy/TH400, throw them in and run it until it blows up (which should be a long time from now if taken care of). Maintenace will cost no more for the Caddy than it will for the 427, no matter what anyone says. Plugs/cap/rotor/wires/thermostat/filter, fluids........ They cost what they cost. No appreciable difference from one to the other.
And keep the 427. If you have the truck long enough the 472 will EVENTUALLY die. At this point, the Caddy definitely will cost you more to rebuild. Rebuild the 427, sell the rebuildable Caddy to recoup some of the cost, and.........
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by robertcowan on Aug 14, 2006, 10:51pm
caddy,s are very well made engines . you,ll be very happy and you,ll pull trees over with all the torque.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by bigwheelbob on Aug 15, 2006, 12:55am
By the way, the trans that will come out of the same car the 472 did will be to long for the m715, you will need the short shaft 400.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by tacomainoh on Aug 15, 2006, 1:02am
Which will be easily made by swapping output shafts... and tailhousings.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by bigwheelbob on Aug 15, 2006, 6:45am
I guess that depends if you know how to gut a transmission and put it back together, but youre correct, not to hard.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by jeepcj on Aug 15, 2006, 7:56am
Why will the shaft lenght matter? A NP 205 is going in also. So can I just mount it back further? The drive shafts will be new so they will be made the correct length.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by raven on Aug 15, 2006, 3:31pm
Did the 400 come out of a car, or is a 4wd version? If it's a 2wd version out of a car, you've got to do as stated previously to mate up a t-case to it. Also, you've got to use the correct output shaft to properly fit the t-case you're planning on using.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by jeepcj on Aug 15, 2006, 8:27pm
The 205 is a divorced case so it just slide back. Yes?
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by raven on Aug 15, 2006, 8:52pm
Ahhh, that's different. Yeah, I suppose that would work out just fine. Would put the t-case just about center of the rig, and you 'd have driveshafts of just about equal length.
Might put the t-case far enough back to interfere with the fuel tank?
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by tacomainoh on Aug 15, 2006, 10:51pm
well, you could move the Tcase crossmember back a ways.
The Caddy trans came with the longest 2wd output shaft if I'm remembering right. Like, 8" longer than the short ones.
RAVEN: ever see a 4wd Cadillac with a TH400??? LOL
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by jeepistdougiowa on Aug 15, 2006, 11:18pm
Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">I guess that depends if you know how to gut a transmission and put it back together, but youre correct, not to hard.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
And have the correct tools. I'd not recommend the job to someone who's never messed with auto transmissions. I've done a handful and not much annoys me more.
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by raven on Aug 16, 2006, 2:26am
Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">RAVEN: ever see a 4wd Cadillac with a TH400??? LOL </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Actually, yeah I have, as rediculous as that is. lol
Have you never seen a big block caddy in a 4wd backed by a BOP TH400 case and a 205? Not a real common set up, but they're out there. In fact there was a REAL good look at a freind of mine's in Peterson's a couple of months ago (except it is backed by a 203/205).
He didn't specify what the 472/TH400 came out of. I assumed it was 4x4 since he was considering putting it into the Kaiser. Using a 2wd case and divorced 205 never occurred to me. What was that old saying about when you "ass-u-me" something? LOL
Re: Chevy 427 tall block vs Caddy 472
Post by tacomainoh on Aug 16, 2006, 2:32am
Well that's not really a Caddy LOL and the Escalade DOESN"T COUNT!!!! heheh
I'll be running a Buick 455, w/the same mod. The TH400 is remarkably adaptable to so many things. I have one with a 203/205, one with the 205, another with a 241. All 32spl.