Z-man,

Scratch around in this stuff. You should find what you need to know.

Also, try to snag a copy of Doc Frohmader's fine book " Big Inch Cadillac. It has bunches of fine information.

http://www.cad500parts.com/
http://www.cadillacpower.com/forum/index.php
http://forums.500cid.com/index.php

If you have trouble finding Frohmader's book let me know and I'll look in my copy and try to find you some kind of an ordering address.

The 429/472/500 engines have a huge amount in common (Doc's book will help you sort out answers to your questions about their specific differences).

I can't help you with chassis questions because I took the engine and TH400 out of a trashed-out '76 and hustled the rest off to the crusher, thereby getting my lovely wife off of my case (she was sort of anxious to get that wreckage out of our yard).

Jim