Interchangability of 1952 vs. 1953/54 heads

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

The MPB shows the 52 head as 1 year only & the 53/54 being the same. Does anyone have FIRST hand knowledge of the difference? Can they be interchanged? Anyone have the casting #s, NOT the part #'s?
Thanks, Bob

[Quentin Hall]

G'day Bob, I thought 53 and 54 heads differed in the outlet for the heater hoses at the rear of the head. I actually have a nice pair of 54 heads (no rear outlet hole)that I am wanting to modify but it means drilling a hole and tapping a couple of threads. I thought the valves were slightly enlarged for 53 as per the information in either the owners manual or other period advertising. But I am sure you could enlarge the valves in a pair of 52 heads. I am going to have a 52 conv here at my place later next week. I'll check to see any external differences that may help.
        Your old Eldo got a new top a couple of weeks ago. Warren and I skinned our knuckles for a few  days. Looks great. Q   

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

G'day Q,
Thanks for the fast answer. I rechecked the MPB. You're right, the 52 valves are smaller. However, it does show the 53/54 heads will interchange. I have a LH head with casting #1459736. It does have a water outlet in the back. I'd like to ID it for possible sale.
I knew Warren was going to top the car but I haven't talked to him in a few weeks. How did you skin your knuckles?  Did you guys double check the shape of the back window??
Regards, Bob

[Caddy Wizard]

If anyone needs them, I have a pair of fully rebuilt 54 heads (new valves, guides, machined, etc), painted up and ready to install.  $800 for the pair, plus shipping.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

What's the casting # on your heads??

[Caddy Wizard]

Here are pictures from at least one of the heads.  Not sure if both heads have this same number.  I thought heads like this are left and right.  Anyway, these came off a low-mileage 54 FW I had, the engine had seized from setting up.  I had the heads done at a great engine machine shop that I have used in the past, but gave up on the engine because of stuck rings/scored cylinder walls.  The heads have not been reinstalled. I did a very careful paint job on the heads and they are ready to install...

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Art,
Thanks.
Bob

[Warren Rauch #4286]

Trying to ID parts by casting numbers is somewhere between tricky and impossible. I could only find 1952 casting numbers. Hollander says factory castings were 1458612 & 3. Cadillac says in 1957 they had run out of castings , so now were using 1464624 & 25. These had a different shaped combustion  chamber, but must have worked. Hollander says 1953 and 1954 interchange , but the temp sending units are different sizes.The Cadillac Serviceman says the 1954 exhaust ports were redesigned. Hollander also says the oil holes are larger on the 53-54 ,than 1952. I wish they said if these are the drain backs or the pressure line holes. Valves are the same size heads 52-56. Your casting number is between the two sets so it could be any where 53-57.
   Heads are often superseded ,Cadillac used different heads in 49,50-51,52,53,54,55,early 56, late56 ,etc  so finding a factory correct one is a lot harder than one that will work. Warren

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Warren,
I really appreciate your in depth research.
Thanks, Bob