Str8-8-Dave Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Hello to all; I'm considering buying a 1933 Cadillac V12 car of some sort. Any opinions about what to look for, what I might be getting into please comment- this would be new territory for me. Also, for Buick, the BHA has tons of literature including service manuals, advertising literature, etc. Is there a source like that for Cadillac cars? One item I would consider buying as part of my investigation on whether or not to get involved with a car like this is a shop manual. Nickel for everyone's thoughts... Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 www.aacalibrary.org https://www.cadillaclasallemuseum.org 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I owned a 1932 Cad V-12 which came with an original shop manual and a reproduction owners manual, you will need both of those at a minimum. The V-12 is a complicated engine compared to the V-8 with major challenges in the areas of carburetion and ignition which I kind of navigated years ago. The shop manual was useful but the big difference from newer car manuals is that it was written for Cadillac dealer service men and assumes a great deal of knowledge that is just not included in the manual. If you have not already done so join the Cadillac-LaSalle club and get on their forum, between that and the AACA forum I developed a small network of experts that were very helpful in solving problems. Good luck! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Talk to Edinmass before buying any V12. He knows what is out there that is good or cobbled together. Hire the best knowledgeable person you can to advise and I’m sure most will agree he is one of them. dave s 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Str8-8-Dave Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 Thanks for the tips guys... I know the 12 is more complicated because of not only the extra cylinders but the fact is is valve in head VS V8 flathead. I spent a lot of time with Buick's Marvel heat system to get it to work reasonably well, I'm sure a pair of Detroit Lubricator carbs will be a new challenge as will the 12 cylinder distributor. Again- thanks for the tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 You can usually find the manuals on ePay. There is a couple listed now and as mentioned, they can be somewhat vague in descriptions. Also the Authenticity Manual from the Cadillac-LaSalle Club will be a great help. https://www.ebay.com/itm/402300540726?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 https://www.ebay.com/itm/183986158177?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 21 hours ago, Str8-8-Dave said: Thanks for the tips guys... I know the 12 is more complicated because of not only the extra cylinders but the fact is is valve in head VS V8 flathead. I spent a lot of time with Buick's Marvel heat system to get it to work reasonably well, I'm sure a pair of Detroit Lubricator carbs will be a new challenge as will the 12 cylinder distributor. Again- thanks for the tips! The one advantage you have today that I did not have is that new reproduction DL carbs are available for the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Str8-8-Dave Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 1 minute ago, TexRiv_63 said: new reproduction DL carbs are available for the engine. Hi Don- Who has the repro carbs? That's really good information. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Just now, Str8-8-Dave said: Hi Don- Who has the repro carbs? That's really good information. Thanks. Not sure of contact info but others here will be. I'm pretty sure it's the same company that started with DL carbs for Packards. Expensive but well worth it IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Detroit Lubricator Carburetor's Cadillac Carburetors & Parts – cadillaccarbs2 (cad-carbs.com) You can purchase the complete carburetors , very expensive, or the parts to rebuild your existing carbs as long as you have good cores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbking Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 On 9/16/2021 at 1:39 PM, Str8-8-Dave said: Thanks for the tips guys... I know the 12 is more complicated because of not only the extra cylinders but the fact is is valve in head VS V8 flathead. I spent a lot of time with Buick's Marvel heat system to get it to work reasonably well, I'm sure a pair of Detroit Lubricator carbs will be a new challenge as will the 12 cylinder distributor. Again- thanks for the tips! The original Detroit Lubricators are excellent carburetors; both efficient and reliable after being professionally restored. However, generally having a machine shop at your disposal when doing a rebuild after 80 years doesn't hurt. If you can make the Marvel think it is a carburetor, you should be able to have the Detroits decode the Rosetta Stone. Jon. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Str8-8-Dave Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, carbking said: If you can make the Marvel think it is a carburetor, you should be able to have the Detroits decode the Rosetta Stone. As Doc Holiday used to say- "I'm your huckleberry". Edited September 18, 2021 by Str8-8-Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Any V-12 Cadillac is a difficult and expensive car to deal with. In 1933 problems are fewer than 1931, but it will eat you alive fixing it. If you are going to take the headache......get a 16..........at today’s adjusted prices they are not that much more money. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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