**Cadillac 500 Swap Into a 1963 International C1300 4x4**

[RonS]

Let me start by saying that I love my International. It is a real truck with a real truck strength and ride.

Now, the only thing that I don't love is the lack of power that the BG241 straight 6 has to offer in my truck. I feel that it isn't just the IH power but my combination of tire diameter and gear ratio. The factory put 6.17's in the rear axle. With stock size tires it would realisticaly top out at about 55. With the 4.10's and 36" tires it would easily go much faster but it would have to be down hill with the wind at my back. It struggles at normal driving to keep up with traffic. All this without a load.

So out of necessity I have chosen to swap out the 6 cylinder for a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado 500. It has an Edlebrock intake with a rebuilt Rochester carb, new timing gears and chain, new fuel pump and a new water pump.

The transmission is the Cadillac Turbo 425 that has been freshened up. I may put in a shift kit before I install it.

I chose the Cadillac for all it's torque. With 525lbtq it ought to scoot the old IH pretty well. I use the truck everyday and will from now on. It is my work truck and I haul lots of weight in the bed and while towing. I really need power.

I hate that I have to remove the six but I feel that this is the right decision for me and my company.

Here's just a teaser;

I will do a step by step with pics for those who are interested. My next step is painting the engine and installing all the accessories.

Pic update Wednesday, I hope.

 

[kdunc]

:Rockon:

 

[braxton357]

:Rockon:

What he said. I wish more people swapped the giant old caddy motors into stuff. Screw a 350.

 

[MILLION-MILES]

:Rockon: x 2

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I wonder how this would be in a Yota. Anyways thats gonna be a stump puller when you done. People over look the old pontiac and caddy motors but they are torque monsters.

 

[RonS]

I wonder how this would be in a Yota. Anyways thats gonna be a stump puller when you done. People over look the old pontiac and caddy motors but they are torque monsters.

I think they would be unreal in a Toyota. Consider a Caddy 500 weighs 60lbs more than a small block chevy. They are a bit wider though. Think of your crawling ability with all that torque. Hell you wouldn't need doublers or low gears

 

[RonS]

:Rockon:

What he said. I wish more people swapped the giant old caddy motors into stuff. Screw a 350.

:Rockon: x 2

Thanks alot guys.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I think they would be unreal in a Toyota. Consider a Caddy 500 weighs 60lbs more than a small block chevy. They are a bit wider though. Think of your crawling ability with all that torque. Hell you wouldn't need doublers or low gears

I wonder how a pontiac 455 would stack up, I know with a lil work they make some pretty good number plus they are bout the same size as a 350. Somebody needs to try this.

 

[doc]

I'm starting to have dreams about this truck!!! LOL

Keep it up, I'm following it 'til the end!!

 

[R Q]

Hmmm...
Now I love me an old Binder but why not swap in a old International motor? They're interchangeable but I know parts are hard to come by and such.
Nevermind, Caddy will do just fine...

 

[RonS]

I'm starting to have dreams about this truck!!! LOL

Keep it up, I'm following it 'til the end!!

Hmmm...
Now I love me an old Binder but why not swap in a old International motor? They're interchangeable but I know parts are hard to come by and such.
Nevermind, Caddy will do just fine...

Thanks guys.

 

[RonS]

Today was a good day.

Installed the intake and oil pump, painted the engine, rebuilt the starter, painted and installed the exhaust manifolds and alt bracket, painted the fan and pulley, polished the fan spacer and during all of that I had to replace the alternator that is currently on the truck.

Pics;

Tomorrow is transmission and carburetor day.

 

[thewagonmasternc]

Looks good!

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I think you shouldve went with IH red and thrown an IH badge on the valve cover, would def confuse some people but looks good.

 

[bbbcb04]

pic

picture of the truck please .

 

[Your Hot Dog Guy!]

Keep the pics coming!

 

[89wrangler]

Hell Yea...Diggin the caddy power

 

[RonS]

picture of the truck please .

As you wish;

 

[Caver Dave]

Bad Ass!

Despite the current Jeep addiction, I grew up in IH tractor shops, Baldwin-Garret (GSO) & Holt-Rook (Asheboro). Subsequently, my earliest memories were riding in many IH vehicles over the years (a new Scout every year, until they went to trucks in the early '70s, the last being a "Johnny Reb" before IH folded and they went to Cheby) and remain a huge Binder fan!

 

[72Rockcruiser]

This is so freaking cool.

 

[Ricky B]

What he said. I wish more people swapped the giant old caddy motors into stuff. Screw a 350.

Dang Straight

I think they would be unreal in a Toyota. Consider a Caddy 500 weighs 60lbs more than a small block chevy. They are a bit wider though. Think of your crawling ability with all that torque. Hell you wouldn't need doublers or low gears

Crawling and low gears is for babies, haha



Dude, your makin me just miss havin my Jeep runnin so much more, the only thing I don't like bout a stock caddy is it floats the valves at 4200 rpm, (ask me how I know, I've turned my pushrods into Z's several times) which I could easily fix and have a 500 horse 550 torque motor with heads/valvetrain/cam work, but for what your doin, don't think not having above 4200 rpm is gonna be a problem. Rock on :Rockon:

 

[Zachs]

This is so damn bad ass...love everything about. Feel like a moron for never seeing that truck design before today..

 

[DAWGTOY]

i'm watching this build with much intrest.
i've always liked IH trucks especaly the older ones.
imo you can't do better than a caddie.
sounds like a cool build. look forward to
seein it finished.

 

[RonS]

Bad Ass!

This is so freaking cool.

Thanks guys. Hell, you're making me thirsty!

Dude, your makin me just miss havin my Jeep runnin so much more, the only thing I don't like bout a stock caddy is it floats the valves at 4200 rpm, (ask me how I know, I've turned my pushrods into Z's several times) which I could easily fix and have a 500 horse 550 torque motor with heads/valvetrain/cam work, but for what your doin, don't think not having above 4200 rpm is gonna be a problem. Rock on :Rockon:

I've heard the same from others. Thanks for the input.

This is so damn bad ass...love everything about. Feel like a moron for never seeing that truck design before today..

No one really knows much or have really ever seen one of these trucks. I do get alot of "What is that?"

i'm watching this build with much intrest.
i've always liked IH trucks especaly the older ones.
imo you can't do better than a caddie.
sounds like a cool build. look forward to
seein it finished.

Thanks man. I'm busting my hump. I can't wait to drive it.

 

[RonS]

Todays update;

Rebuilt the distributor, cut down the fan spacer to save an inch and an 1/8th, mounted the fuel pump, started on rebuilding the carb and trans.

A few pics of it almost ready to install;

Next week my updates won't be as frequent as I have the Charlotte Auto Fair to prepare for. For those going, if you see me or my truck stop by and say hi.