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caddy motors

FloridaQuaker1027

Well-known member
This morning I got a pretty good offer on a fiberglass boat with a caddy motor ( dont know exactly what size ) I guy my cousinworks with has the boat and took it apart to re-do and afterr getting everything done doesnt want to be bothered puttting it all back together.....I havent seen the boat at all put from what I have heard the motor is in good shape and runs.....My cousin's boyfriend has been around airboats for over 15 years and is going to take a look at the boat with me next and let me know if its a good deal or not....the guy wants like $500 for everthing witch could mean I am getting a steal or I am going to be spending 3 times that much getting it running

I just want some info on the caddy motor.....Will it get me where I want to go without robbing my wallet and if they will run for awhile without having to be worked on every other weekend
 
That sounds like a steal to me if the everything is in decent shape. The Caddy is a good engine as a direct drive in stock form and good for reduction setups if you upgrade the valve train. Parts for a caddy are harder to find and cost more than chevy parts but they're not out of reach.
 
I am hopefully going to look at the boat tomarrow....I hope what I have heard is what condition it is in.....My biggest concern is the motor....If it is running or just needs a little work and wont cost that much to get it running its coming home with me.

Front want I have heard everything is there....Its just a matter of putting it all together....I am pretty broke since I have started the fire academy but have some money put away and alot of friends with some know how.

I guess we will see what happens....It comes with a prop but I am not sure what kind....What prop do most yall with car motors use
 
A little money and a lot of friends is a dangerous thing in airboating LOL actually it is a wonderful thing. Friends are the biggest asset in this game because someone will always take the money.
 
You need to see what the numbers are on the block

The first step is to ID the block. The block casting number is found at the rear of the engine, between the intake manifold and transmission bell housing, right next to the oil pressure sending unit. The casting number is the raised, cast in number on the passenger side. Some blocks have a number stamped in this area, as well, but these numbers cannot be reliably decoded.

All ‘70-’76 472 and 500 engines should have a block casting number ending in 52xx or 62xx (referred to as the ‘5200’ block). The ‘68-’69 (and a few rare ‘70 472s) use a block that looks identical at first glance, but bears different casting numbers, has smaller oil passages and does not have clearance for a 500 crank. Fine for a mild street engine, but unacceptable for a serious performance engine. The 425 and 368 blocks have a slightly larger timing cover and a box shape in the casting to the rear of the intake on the driver's side.

Most 500 cranks have a casting # ending in ‘93 or ‘94, next to the 4th main journal.

Most 472 cranks have a casting # ending in ‘24, found on the 3rd counterweight.

The 425 crank is the same stroke as the 472 crank, and is physically interchangeable, but cannot be balanced effectively due to the drastic weight difference caused by the bore size.

There is a ton of info on caddys This is only a little bit of it.
PM me if you need some web site and or help!!

Hope this helps
 
What ever you do make sure you finish the Fire Acadamy. Once you get hired @ the right department you can buy any upgrade for that boat.
 
That was my plan.....I figure if the hull, trailor, and rigging is in good shape that is worth 500 alone.....The run the motor for a little while and then either sell or trade it for an aircraft motor

I rather run a caddy then not run anything at all right now....I have to start somewhere...I figure if it takes me a few weeks to fix up it will give me something to do

JL242 - just curious - are a firefighter? I have an aunt that lives in Plant City and might make a trip up there in 2 weeks.....I saw there department is hiring right now...Is Plant City a good area to live and is there alot of area to run an airboat
 
Alright....Just talked to the people that owned the boat....The motor is a 500 caddy direct drive....it was running when he took it off about a year ago to refiber glass and paint the hull and got hurt at work and never finished it...They said the bottum of the cage has a little rust ( not that big of a deal )...It comes with a wood prop that was reconditioned....The boat has a brand new carb and the motor has been covered.....Trailor is in good condition with new tires....To me it sounds like a good deal for $500

I am going to look at the boat tomarrow and see whats up...I dont have alot of money at the moment and need to see whats up.....If anything if I get it and it is either going to cost me to much to fix anyone else interested???
 
If you pass it up I'm interested.
I'll be coming down to the FAA meeting and run on fri. nite. Will be there saturday and sunday.
Cell- 352-400-5131, nextel dc 160*135688*8
Or just contact me here

Bob
 
I will let yall know

As of now all I know if that the motor was running but the guy never put if back on because he hurt his back at work and doesnt want to be bothered with it.

Here is the deal....Right now I got 6 more weeks left of school before I can start working again....I have the money to buy it as is but dont that much extra money to drop into it to get it going if its going to be that much....My buddy is an auto-machanic and he is going to give me his opinion on the motor and weather or not we can get it running.....If the cage, hull, and trailor are in great shape then its coming home ( depending on the condition that alone could be worth $500 ) If the motor is running I will slap it on and run it and then maybe up grade in the future

Can anyone give me a ball park figure on want a 500 caddy could bring in either running or not running???
 
For 500 dollars, do you honestly expect any of it to be in "great shape"?

It's going to be a major project, plan on it.

That said, remember to enjoy yourself, you're going to look at a boat!
Have fun.
 
I dont think you can get hurt to bad at $500 unless everything is total junk. I paid $500 for a caddy motor. Just the motor. It was running, still in the car. If everything looks good buy it . But dont let it interfere with the fire acadamy.
 
I already know its going to be a project boat...The thing is I dont want to pay more than what I paid for the boat just getting the motor running.....If thats the case and the hull, trailer and rigging is in decent shape then I will take in and do some work on it and slap another motor on once I get some more cash
 
if the reconditioned prop has not been run since recon there is minimum of 250.00 the hull if it is in good shape there is maybe 300 a non running cadyy the cheapest i have seen was 150.00 but you had to drive to bfe to get it .than add a trailor with possibility i think it woud be a good deal as long as the stringers are not rotten and the hull does not leak to bad.
 
We will see.....I just want something to get me out there now instead or relying on my buddy to get out in the swamp

I really want a g.p.u or aircraft enging but if caddy motor runs I will run that till I can afford an upgrade
 
FL cracker, Been there done that :) Spent alot more than $500 to the clown that screwed me on mine but I made a good boat out of it. $500 seems like a great deal, just dependeds on how much time and money to getter going. Mine was sunk at one time, found out the hard way :( Runs good now though :D
 
I am going to wait till I get money and get a boat in good shape and running

The thing is I dont know if I want a fiberglass or a thruman style hull
 
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