Cadillac Flathead
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Cadillac Flathead
I recently picked up this flathead Cadillac at a local estate sale. I’m a ford flathead enthusiast and had been on the hunt for another one for a hot rod project when I came across this and fell down the rabbit hole. My understanding was that the wealthy owner had a small private collection/museum, though not really military oriented. The gentleman who maintained his collection told me that the owner purchased the engine as surplus, years before, from the Red River Ordnance Depot in Texarkana Tx. To his knowledge it had never been run and simply sat as a static display in his bosses collection. I really couldn’t find a tremendous amount of information about it, at least compared to the Fords I usually dabble in. My web search led me here after seeing a series of posts by “dlevy”. I figured I should post some pictures to share and learn. Pending the completion of a couple other projects I would like to get it running. I’ll try to document it when I get there. Any information you’d be willing to offer would be appreciated. Thanks
- W. Winget
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
See how many M5 Stewart and M24 Chafee Tank owners contact you now, that's what went in them.
"Twin Cadillac Series 44T24; 220 hp."
Lovely piece, I would like one in my shop.
V/R W. Winget
"Twin Cadillac Series 44T24; 220 hp."
Lovely piece, I would like one in my shop.
V/R W. Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
not to mention LVTs
dont suppose anybody know where to find water pump rebuild kits.
and no the civi ones dont work.
BB
dont suppose anybody know where to find water pump rebuild kits.
and no the civi ones dont work.
BB
keeping it strac here boss
I hate aquaphobic horses
I hate aquaphobic horses
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Are the civilian gasket kits compatible with the military version? Any sources you would recommend?
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
It has civilian heads
Engine block is for a Stuart (1G)
Water pump is facing the correct way for a Stuart.
Transmission and linkages look to be for Stuart.
Cannot tell if distributer support has a place for RPM cable to attach (Stuarts have a RPM cable attach point)
Standard gasket set for a 1940 1941 Cad 346 engine is available (Gaskets made by Best Gasket on Ebay)
A water pump rebuild company, might have to do rebuild.
Engine block is for a Stuart (1G)
Water pump is facing the correct way for a Stuart.
Transmission and linkages look to be for Stuart.
Cannot tell if distributer support has a place for RPM cable to attach (Stuarts have a RPM cable attach point)
Standard gasket set for a 1940 1941 Cad 346 engine is available (Gaskets made by Best Gasket on Ebay)
A water pump rebuild company, might have to do rebuild.
*
MVCC member since 1983
MVCC Life member since around 1985
MVPA member since 1983
MVPA life member since around 1985
MVCC member since 1983
MVCC Life member since around 1985
MVPA member since 1983
MVPA life member since around 1985
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Here’s one that shows the distributor a little better. Does the fact that it has civilian heads refute the story that he bought it as surplus directly from Red Stone? Is it likely the military would have resorted to using civilian heads when the engine was reconditioned? One thing I neglected to ask his mechanic about was the paint job. It appears to be a little too perfect and a little too bright green for having been done in 1945.
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
I guess I should back up and ask what is it about the heads that indicate they are civilian? It appears to have the extra port (plugged) that the civilian heads didn’t have per dlevy’s post, or am I interpreting his diagram incorrectly? I’ve circled it in black on the photo. viewtopic.php?f=82&t=232831&hilit=stuar ... d&start=45
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Is there there any way to discern the engine’s original date of production from the numbers on the block?
- artillerydan
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
This is a 1G engine for the Stuart. It does not have the right castings for an M24. This would also be a mid 1944 or earlier engine from what I can see as far as what castings (would be there) for mid 1944 on.
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43 MB
43 M20 Armored Car
44 M24 Chaffee
44 M19 40mm
62 M114 ARV
75 MC4000 Forklift
96 CUCV II Tahoe
2017 MRZR
M1030, B1, M1 - Motorcycles
M817, M818, M819 - 5 Tons
30-M151s Every variation available
MVPA 7411
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Thanks artillerydan. Do you share the opinion that the engine has civilian heads? They appear to be military to me based on the sources I’ve been looking at.
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Hi,
In my opinion, they are the correct M5A1 Stuart military heads.
I did a lot of research when I made up the comparison sheet during my Stuart engine restoration. (Glad you were able to find it!)
Dave
In my opinion, they are the correct M5A1 Stuart military heads.
I did a lot of research when I made up the comparison sheet during my Stuart engine restoration. (Glad you were able to find it!)
Dave
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Great engine, transmission combo. dlevy and artydan are on point. Just wanted to add that this unit was also used in the Amphibious Assault Tractor or Landing Vehicle Tracked Mk3, LVT-3 "Bushmaster"
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41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
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43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Thanks everyone and especially Dave for compiling all the information. I look forward to hearing it run someday.
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Any interest in selling it?
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Re: Cadillac Flathead
Dirtfab, I’m still debating what to do with it. Depends on the day of the week you ask me.
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