Ambulance engines

[jgreene]

I just watched a program on History Channel called Rumrunners, Moonshiners, and Bootleggers.  They claim the 1950 Cadillac Ambulance engines had 200 horsepower.  Is this correct?
Thank you
Jim Greene

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

According to my books, the 1950 331 cubic inch
V8 on all Cadillacs was listed at 160 horse power.

By 1952, it was rated at 190 HP and by 1953, 210.

That increased again in 1954 and in 1955 which the
331 V8 reached it's peak horsepower in the Eldorado
dual quad engine at 270 HP.  In 1956 the engine was
bored out to a 365 block.

Mike

[35-709]

I just watched a program on History Channel called Rumrunners, Moonshiners, and Bootleggers.  They claim the 1950 Cadillac Ambulance engines had 200 horsepower.  Is this correct?
Thank you
Jim Greene

I have heard that once or twice before but have never seen anything to substantiate it.  More likely an "old wives" tale that just keeps floating around.

[Scot Minesinger]

Incorrect automotive info is posted all the time.  There was a guy riding around in a 1985 Cadillac on TV claiming it had 240 hp, which I'm sure was more like 140hp.  I'm sure during auctions, news and etc. there have been miss information spread.  One non-engine guy in our local CLC club had a poster made up for his 1970 Cadillac DVC that claimed 275 hp instead of 375.  When I hear suspect info on these types of shows I take it as an error.

[Big Apple Caddy]

One non-engine guy in our local CLC club had a poster made up for his 1970 Cadillac DVC that claimed 275 hp instead of 375.

Perhaps he was using the more "contemporary" (the standard that starting being used around 1972) net horsepower rating.  Of course, even 275 would have probably been too high for the 375 gross hp engine.  In 1971, Cadillac's 345 gross hp engine was only rated 220 net.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

FWIW 227 @ 4500 RPM is the Net HP of the 1970 Motor.
Greg Surfas

[Scot Minesinger]

The 275 hp was a typo, not the net rating, as it was followed by "Factory rated".

Thanks Greg, the 227 hp seems about right.  My 1995 RWD Fleetwood was faster at 260hp, and they were both about the same weight.  However, my 285 hp Avalanche was slower than my 1970 Cadillac (the Cadillac 525 lb-ft torque converted to net was probably higher than the 5.3 V-8 Avalanche net torque), also the Chevy truck did weigh in 1,000 lbs heavier.  I think the 260 hp of the RWD Fleetwood was under rated, as it would leave my Avalanche in the weeds on the drag strip.

Anyway automotive news is filled with miss information.  When I read a factory data sheet or see it for myself then OK.  It is rare for me to trust any automotive news.  I remember reading in the Washington Post news paper (a major paper - owned by Jeff B of Amazon now) in 1999 about how great the new Cadillac Deville (yes 20 years ago) was with RWD and all.  I knew it was front drive and so who knows what else was wrong with the article.

[TJ Hopland]

Since the show was about Moonshiners presumably the ambulance was used to transport the product?   Wasn't part of that culture to modify the cars?  Maybe they left out the modified to 200 hp part?

[chrisntam]

FWIW 227 @ 4500 RPM is the Net HP of the 1970 Motor.
Greg Surfas

Way to throw a wet blanket on our 1970 horsepower rating.

[Bobby B]

Way to throw a wet blanket on our 1970 horsepower rating.

The Truth Always Hurts  .........
                                         Bobby

[cadillacmike68]

Way to throw a wet blanket on our 1970 horsepower rating.

Mine's cam'd and has Dual exhaust, so it's higher.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

A cam and free exhausts can really help.  With a 233 degree (@0.050) cam, 1.72 rockers and open exhausts you can expect just about 350 HP at 3500 RPM, but the REAL difference is that you will be making 560 Lb/Ft of torque at 1500 RPM vs the stock 327 Lb/Ft.
Greg Surfas

[cadillacmike68]

My 68 (with the right fuel) literally rockets down the road.

Same with the Fleetwood (well, before today at least). Actually, I got it up to the max and kicked in the speed limiter on the interstate while running it to to get it cleaned out after I changed 7 of the 8 plugs.

[Scot Minesinger]

Mike,

Why 7 of the 8 plugs and not all 8, and does speed limiter kick in around 106 mph?

[Big Apple Caddy]

The 275 hp was a typo, not the net rating

I assumed something like that which is why I added a grin emoji at the end of the sentence.

[cadillacmike68]

Mike,

Why 7 of the 8 plugs and not all 8, and does speed limiter kick in around 106 mph?

I couldn't get a wrench on the last one (#2, front pass side) The alternator and too many hard lines. Plus my arms were so screeched up, they were starting to burn.

108. Even with the engine missing, this was No problem.