Caddy 500 with a manual trans

I want to find a manual transmission and all associated parts that will fit behind a Cadillac 500ci engine. Anyone have any knowledge or first hand experience with this combo? I guess my options are limited but without asking too much the gearbox itself needs to have a short tailshaft and if not already it would need to be able to have the stick as far forward and near the bellhousing as possible. This being because the application is for a 40's vehicle with the original bech seat which I wish to retain unaltered. I've used a toploader from David kee for a similar project with a SBF and that fitted in just great but I don't know about fitting a Ford box to a Caddy, sounds science fiction to me!So what else is there say in the GM range or any other that would work.
Any help much appreciated....Jerry (UK)**)

Check with these guys, they show an adaptor to the Chev bellhousing pattern so can probably walk you through parts needs to go to a Muncie, BW, or even Tremec; http://www.cad500parts.com/catalog/page27.htm

Here's another outfit, but they only show a TH400 deal, might have other info though; http://www.500cid.com/

These guys make some pretty odd stuff....
http://www.transmissionadapters.com/

These guys have been around for years, might have something that they are not showing on their site....
http://www.wilcap.com/

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Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
Check with these guys, they show an adaptor to the Chev bellhousing pattern so can probably walk you through parts needs to go to a Muncie, BW, or even Tremec; http://www.cad500parts.com/catalog/page27.htm

Here's another outfit, but they only show a TH400 deal, might have other info though; http://www.500cid.com/

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Thanks Uncle Bob , I have been soaking up thier website for a few days now and will probably get a lot of parts from them, may even come over and check them out in person, they do seem to know caddies, they impressed me, not that it takes much to do that with caddies as I've never worked on one. Just want to build something a little different. To be honest I bought a BBFord just last week for my current project and it was one of those deals where as soon as I got it home I thought what the hell did I buy that for!!!! the criteria was right but just too main stream and I knew that before I bought it, ahh well it'll sell on.The Caddy idea feels better in my head so that's the plan and this time I'm stickin' to it!

i may be wrong but would not a b.o.p bellhousing work on the caddy as that is the bolt pattern for the auto tranny. one would have to get a flywheel that would work . that would work for a gm tranny but i dontknow about the adaptability of the ford tranny to it.
i like my caddy motor , they have lots of guts

nice proj, and if i'm not mistaken i think that you will have to have the crank cut for the pilot bearing. but thats not to bad a deal. good luck and keep us posted

Try a look at this site, too; hardcore Caddy guys here.

http://www.cadillacpower.com/forum/