37 cad/lasalle adaptor to sm. block chevy engine ! hi guys--does anyone out there MAKE SUCH ADAPTOR ? THANKS Bruce (410) 879 8039h; (410) 456 3784c simplexBM@aol.com
Try the class ads here under the parts heading. There may be someone still making one, like Offenhauser . They have resurrected a lot of there stuff google search exiter Autoparts or Offenhauser .
Hamber Litte Wing probably knew what was made. She has not been on here in a few years. She had old speed shop books with pictures, and also had some of the old adapters. My memory is not clear exactly, but I thought some trans adapters were just a thick aluminum plate, that bolted to the back of a stock SBC bellhousing. I know that's how a Packard trans adapter was. I almost recall a hamber having an old aluminum LaS plate adapter on his old SBC dragster. Must be someone still on hamb that knows how it was done. The Las trans input shaft is longer than a SBC trans, so a plate would not put the trans too far back IMO. The plate would need a counterbored stepped center hole that holds the LaS throw-out tube/bearing retainer in place, and also have countersunk allen head bolts to hold it to the SBC bell. Then a set of threaded holes for the LaS trans pattern. There is a problem of which fork to use with a specific TOB that will fit the LaS TOB guide tube.
If you are using a 37 floor shift box be sure there is a hole in the adapter for the shift rail to slide into. Only on 37 boxes. Frank
another brand of plate adapter: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/fenton-trans-adapter-id-help.666180/#post-7399123
There's a center page Engine to Trans adaptor spread from Feb '57 Hot Rod (by Dean Moon) Just a few more clues really. No part numbers etc. but here's what it has. I'm thinking Borg & Beck should be in the pressure plate column but that's how the chart reads. Engine - 55-57 Chev OHV Transmission - Cad or LaSalle trans Flywheel - Chev Clutch Pressure Plate - Special Clutch Disc - Borg & Beck Comments - Adaptor spacer fits between Chevy Bell Housing and Cad. transmission Manufacturers - Cook , Howard
Pic from a thread from Bobby who ran into the TOB problem I had mentioned. This is his friends racecar with a side shift LaSalle trans using a lakewood bell, but it fits the same. I think Bobby also has a LaS behind a chevy in his Hellzapoppin vintage AA/FD rail, not sure I'm having a search glittz, I can't get the link to Bobby's thread right now..He explained the TOB parts etc EDIT: here is the link to the above picture. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lasalle-chevy-throw-out-bearing.800245/#post-8887455 ..
According to my catalog both Cragar and Trans-adapt made these adapters. Cragar # was 10-3170 and Trans-dapt was FC-37 or FC-37K if you want the steel trans mount.
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