As I’m working on my 32 5W coupe that the ideas and collection of parts has lead to a Merc 41 FH ( race style ) and LZ transmission and closed driveshaft and the std frame center section and rearend is a 32. Okie Adams front axle and LZ brakes, Solid wheels. Style is late 40’s in speedparts and ideas. I'm working on a customers dragster early Hemi 392 with the 555 heads and by a accindent happens to see allot of early Hemi engines, I got me an idea. I like to get a 392, or 354… As I has a machineshop I can either just look at it or restore it for fun ( as a 426 Hemi Cuda guy ) so who don’t like has a early Hemi in shop ? Even if I think a old hotrod is with a FH, the early Hemi just talking later style of 50's hotrodding. I don’t think now I will install the Hemi in the coupe ( if I get one ) but just try get information of style in mid 50’s as that make a 354 sense and they are less expensive than the 392 and actually I can grab one tomorrow as a complete runner imported from California 25 years ago and not far from me and price is Ok. -Who don't want a 392 but that set up time to late 50's, so the 354 is all good for me. Ok, so a 32 Ford frame and over to transmission. Let’s talk LaSalle or Cadillac transmission. I saw one yesterday and it was 40’s style not the top loader and it was Very long. I heard of 37, one year only with the top loader. I heard of several models. Ok, open driveshaft, Or the closed Ford std style. I saw this, se below, ( for closed driveshafts ) so has anyone install this in a 32 frame. Pictures, ideas ? K&M Aerospace -Cad/LaSalle
You’d need the 32 rear bearing retainer to fit the 32 crossmember. But be aware the Cad trans is longer and would need more mods to fit.
Alchemy, that was actally my next question as my soft idea is has this both combos in the frame, but prio 1 is the FH/LZ, but at the mock test both. Pictures of this LaSalle in a closed TQ and 32 cross ?
Check post #11 for tech on converting Cad trans to torque tube. '32 mount would work the same; but overall length of engine/adapter/trans would need to be considered. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/transmission-lasalle-an-exploded-view.151009/
You either move the whole center crossmember 3 inches back in the frame , lengthen /modify The k-chassis legs and mount a 39 pedal box . Or just cut and move the 32 bearing retainer area and build a box around it. With either mod you have trouble keeping the stock front wishbone unless You lengthen it
I has the wishbones splitted. One way I will has in thought is the ’box’ idea. My chassie is meant for FH/LZ trans and TQ tube. Maybe a better idea is anther frame and open driveshaft and a Olds rearend.
I will be out a Lasalle toploader shifter 37 tomorrow and its modify for open driveshaft ( not for sale ) I dont know frame/cross it was used for. This is a adapter early Hemi to Lasalle I has seen this but I did not notice brand. -Anyone seen this ? I do notice one issue and its starter is on driver side ( std ) thats a case in a Ford 32 frame with ex a F1 steering box. Will the Lasalle hold up for a premium not blown early Hemi ? ( Note, drive with common sense )
I just bought an Offenhauser bellhousing to put a Packard trans behind a flathead today. And it came with a Packard trans! Something different than the usual.
"tube between" are you referring to the long bell on the 331? Little different set-up on a '32 I helped him with; side shift LaSalle.
Ok so the ’tube’ is actually the bell on block on a 331. Never seen pictures of the long end on the Lasalle, so this is how it look ( its a short driveshaft ) In a 32, the shifter must be in sofa (?) if not a toploader.
We built a duplicate 3W seat and while the shifter was back and to the left as compared to a top shift box; it worked out and cleared the seat OK.
I can get a sideshift box here ( super long model ) but I look for a 37. If anyone has it or see it in Hershey give me a notice, so I can hook up. I also look for a adapter early Hemi to Lasalle. I notice the 50 Olds has a end that is short, se picture. As I not has set-up details for the early Hemi ideas I cant say if I go TQ tube or a open driveshaft. But I guess as get into later part of the 50's I'm more into a open driveshaft and a better rearend than my 32 I has now. On the adapter I saw my buddys roadster here ( engine 1955 331 ) and he was using a cast Mopar fit the early Hemi but he use a Muncie not a 833 so he did mod the rear, and starter was at driverside. He don't remember where the adapter came from model. But he has lakeside headers and as a 31 roadster ( 32 frame ) he used std waterpump and a Hudson steering box and clearance was Ok, but if he had a 32 roadster it would been issues on starter/steering box.
If you don't like the length of the Lasalle,you might try and find a 50 Olds trans it's shorter.Its a side shift and it's open drive.There are some floor shifters out there for them.
Wish I saw this thread earlier. I was at a swap meet on Saturday there was a guy selling a nicely rebuilt 37 La Salle Trans unfortunately I didn't get his number. I'll keep my eyes open.
A guy here in sweden runs an early hemi / lasalle (with long tailshaft I reckon) in a model a coupe. I dont know him, but I’ll post pics here if I can find some. It’s the black car with a vulture painted on the doors
I will look at a buddy today he has a Lasalle side shifter that is modify to a top loader and its short end. I guss it was done 10 years ago. Sound like a move not needed, a buddy was a Hereshly last year and it was a 37 toploader there at 500 USD but not sold so he got it at 325. My guess few are into Lincolns and this old transmissions now and nostalgic is a mild FH, 2 carbs and 39 gearbox, but most I seen even nostalig cars they use modern 5 speeds. All this old stuff is hard to use, need allot of work and its way to expensive and market is small but many keep it. Collection maybe.
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