Technical Information For Your Cadillac Engine
The following is a short list of technical documents for your convenience.
We have a large archive of technical information, articles, how-to, diagnostic guides, etc.
The installation instructions on this page are for current products. If you have an older part, please check the archives for version specific installation instructions.
We will be adding more to this page as time allows.
Many of these files are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Most newer computers and web browsers have built-in PDF viewers, but if you need one, you can get a viewer for free at Adobe.com
General ’68-’85 472/500/425/368 Cadillac Engine Tech
Engine ID Guide (PDF)
This guide is for the 472/500/425/368 engine family, and includes pictures, casting numbers, and notes to aid in positively identifying exactly which version of this engine family you are looking at.
Engine Building Basics (PDF)
Basic instructions, tips, tricks, and specs for assembling your Cadillac engine
Ignition Timing Troubleshooting Guide (PDF)
Instructions for troubleshooting and correcting problems with your ignition system, or checking for a suspected problem. If you are having any kind of overheating, drivability, or power problems, this guide may be what you need.
Alternator Wiring Guide (PDF)
Instructions (with diagrams) for re-wiring a car that originally had an externally regulated alternator, to work with an internally regulated alternator. These instructions are specific to GM vehicles that originally had an externally regulated alternator and a dummy light. Many other makes, including generator cars, will be similar. Cad Company now offers a plug-and-play harness kit to simplify this process on cars wired for a GM externally regulated alternator, which can be found in the accessories section here
Swap Guide – BB Caddy into ’54-’62 Cadillac v1.1(PDF)
A basic swap guide (with pictures) for installing a Cadillac 472 / 500 / 425 / 368 engine into a 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, or 1962 Cadillac car. This can be a very rewarding swap, when finished, and does not require much in the way of specialty equipment, but it is not a simple drop-in job. This guide aims to provide a basic working knowledge of ways to overcome the obstacles that make so many avoid this swap. Updated 4/17/13.
Old version (10% of the file size): Swap Guide – BB Caddy into ’54-’62 Cadillac v1.0(PDF)
Inland Empire Driveline Setup Guide
A guide to driveline setup, published by Inland Empire.
This link will take you away from our site, to their tech page where the article is hosted.
Performance Parts Installation Instructions
for ’68-’85 472/500/425/368 Cadillac Engines
Cam Timing Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for installing and setting up a Cadillac Camshaft
Cloyes Roller Timing Chain Set Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for installing and degreeing a Cloyes Roller Timing Set for Cadillac 472/500/425/368 engines.
Stage I Shaft Rocker Assembly Installation Instructions (PDF)
Basic instructions for installing our Stage 1 Shaft Rocker assembly and setting lifter preload.
This is for current version of the Stage I Shaft Rockers. If you think you may have an older version, please check the archives for version specific installation instructions.
Stage III Shaft Rocker Assembly Installation Instructions (PDF)
Basic instructions for installing our Stage 3 Shaft Rocker assembly and setting lifter preload.
This is for current version of the Stage 3 Shaft Rockers. If you think you may have an older version, please check the archives for version specific installation instructions.
Stage IV Full Shaft Roller Rocker Assemly Installation Instructions (PDF)
Basic instructions for installing our Stage 4 Shaft Rocker assembly and setting up lifter preload or valve lash. This assembly, and others like it, has been sold by other vendors under various names over the years, but if you have a full shaft rocker assembly, with billet aluminum roller tip rocker arms and a full girdle, this is probably what you have (or close enough that the instructions will be useful to some extent).
Oversized Valve Installation Instructions for 76cc Heads (PDF)
Instructions for installing and setting up Cad Company’s oversized valves for the ’68-’73 76cc ‘Small Chamber’ cylinder heads.
Oversized Valve Installation Instructions for 120cc Heads (PDF)
Instructions for installing and setting up Cad Company’s oversized valves for the ’73-’76 120cc ‘Large Chamber’ cylinder heads.
Billet Aluminum R4 AC Bracket Kit Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for installing the Cad Company billet aluminum bracket kit for using the R4 AC compressor.
Header Flange Kit instructions (PDF)
Instructions on using the Header Flange Kit to build or adapt headers for the Cadillac 472/500/425 engine.
’77-up Deville Header instructions (PDF)
Instructions on using the Header Flange Kit to build or adapt headers for the Cadillac 472/500/425 engine.
Chevy Truck Header instructions (PDF)
Instructions on using the Header Flange Kit to build or adapt headers for the Cadillac 472/500/425 engine.
Universal Motor Mount Kit Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for installing the Cadillac 472/500/425 engine in a modern car or truck (some 60’s and most 70’s and newer RWD Ford and GM cars) using our bolt-in motor mount kit.
G-body Bolt-In Motor Mount Kit (PDF)
Instructions for installing the Cadillac 472/500/425 engine in a G-body car (’78-’88 Malibu, Monte Carlo, El Camino, Cutlass, Regal, Grand Prix, etc) using our bolt-in motor mount kit.
Cadillac Oil Dipstick Tube Removal and Installation Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for removing and installing the dipstick tube (original, NOS, or aftermarket) in your Cadillac 472/500/425 engine. These instructions are equally valid for the earlier Caddy engines (such as ’63 390 and 64-’67 429), except for the measurements.
Aluminum Oil Pan OS13122 Instructions (PDF)
Instructions for installing the Cad Company finned aluminum rear sump oil pan on your Cadillac 472/500/425 engine.
Pages to help you determine exactly what to build
These are pretty old pages, but many customers over the years have found them useful to read through before contacting us to ask what combination they should build. At the least, it will give you an idea of what kinds of information we will want to know to recommend the right combination for your application.
Parametric Box
A guide to narrowing down what kind of engine build is right for you based on usage, power output, etc. This guide is mostly unchanged in nearly 20 years (aside from a few minor details), but is still a popular starting point for people planning a build.
Usage Categories
A list of common usage categories for performance Cadillac engines. Useful for filling out the parametric box, especially if you are not really sure what to call your project.
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