Didn't want to hijack a different thread and didn't find the info I need in search. Why are the LaSalle transmissions so sought after? What years are best? What would be fair market value? Any info would be nice. And yes, I have one, didn't realize it until about a hour ago.
'37 bottom loader is the best, but they are all strong. They are popular for vintage builds, not because they are the best******* available. But, in their day, they WERE the best******* available.
I had a 39 Lasalle 3 speed behind a 1947 Cadillac 346 flathead that had an Edmunds (2) 2 barrell set up on it. That******* shifted flawlessly. Very positive engagment when it went in gear and I could shift as fast as I wanted.
they're BEEFY for a vintage trans-- 1 1/4-10 spline input, and WIIIIDE gears. the 2-3 shift/syncro****embly is weird, and seems like they're always worn out, but, overall, excellent choice in the speed equipment limited '50's
Here is the holy grail, so to speak.. It is the 37 LaSalle with the short 50 Olds tailshaft and housing mentioned by Skidmarks above. All the other parts are everything needed to bolt it to an early Olds Rocket...even the creeper to get under the car and put it in. The stock 37 LaSalle is a mega long tailshaft/housing.
PRICELESS HAMB info at it's best, over the years I have heard alot about the 39*******, almost bought one off the bay a few months ago. Could you please enlighten me on the diffrences between the 37 and 39, thanks, also will that 50 Olds short tail mod work on the 39 too? BDM
'37 was the only year for THE floor shift Cad. '38-'53 Cad, '38-'40 LaSalle, & '50 Olds 88 are mostly the same box inside with different tailshafts. The '39 you hear so much about is probably a '39 Ford, standard equipment in '50s hot rods.
The only "39 trans" that is "mentioned a lot" is the Ford flathead 39 trans. That is not related at all, and no where near as strong. The 38 and up Cad/LaS transmissions were side shifted with 2 levers, but looked pretty much the same as a 37. Yes, the short tail works on any of the Cad/LaS. 302GMC types quicker While I am here....I am not sure of the 38 up internals at all, but the 50 Olds internals won't all work in a 37 trans....sort of... The input gear shaft can't fit because the syncro is wrong diameter, and if you also use the syncro, now the 2nd gear won't fit. So if you are swapping an input, you also need the donor syncro and 2nd gear. Like I said, I never had a 38 up Cad/LaS to try to compare these pieces.
Cad/LaSalle low and second gear ratios are closer than a '39 Ford box. Something like 2.39 low and 1.53 second. Combine the ratio spread with the husky gears, and it was the best thihg going until the advent of the modern four speed transmission in '57. Packard three speeeds ran a close second to the Cad/LaSalle.
I've seen two different input/output shafts for the '37. One has a small diameter end where it mates to the output shaft, same as the '38 through '53. The other has a larger diameter end and the output shaft has a larger diameter hole to accept it. The shaft that the cluster gear rides on is larger in the later transmissions but the "gears" are the same. You can have the '37 case modified by opening up the cluster shaft holes to take the later more common shaft and gears.
I've posted these pictures elsewhere but the first shows the stock later long tail version at the top, a later case with '37 tail shaft and housing, and a '50 Olds, same as the Cad but shorter tail second picture shows a '37 converted to Ford closed drive Holy Grail? to me there are three that share equal merit, the '37 with '50 Olds tail like F&J's above, the '37 with Ford output and the '50 Olds as it came from the factory I would hope that the '37 with Olds tail would fetch the most money because it is by far the most expensive combination to put together you would be taking two Holy Grails to make one super Holy Grail
Man I want a LaSalle real bad for my '32 one day but I'm afraid because I don't know that much about them. Almost bought a Packard setup because I heard the strength was comparable. I'm just a little scared because the I can't even find a '37 LaSalle trans to start with let alone replacement parts for when I break it.....I guess if I break it.
I heard someone was making some replacement parts, anybody know who? it was my understanding there were no replacement gears or syncros made all repairs had to be made with used parts scavenged from other Lasalle transmissions.
admittedly I'm only on my fourth Lasalle--all side shift--but all four of mine have had (still have three at this time) worn syncros. Useable, but pretty worn, and unevenly at that. I tore apart the worst****embly for the HA/GR trans, going to "crash box" it with NO syncros. due to a shipping SNAFU I have one trans minus an input shaft, so if anybody has one to sell....or needs parts from my incomplete one........ JeffreyJames---don't be skeered-- they're SIMPLE to work on, and can be had reasonably priced to the diligent--I scored three of my four for $200 each or less. The fourth has the Ford tail conversion and race history and was more $$.
Hold a 39 Ford low/reverse slider in your hand. The LaSalle low as well as all the rest are nearly twice as wide. Can you spell BEEFY?
The one thing I remember about my 49 Chev with a 303 Olds and Cad box was.....If I got that thing into 2nd gear while ahead of my competion....he wouldn't catch me in the 1/4 mile....Had a real long winding second gear and that Olds would pull something fierce...loved the combo
Heathen, that's a good memory you have! <HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e5e5e5; COLOR: #e5e5e5" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and****le --><!-- message --> Ratios: 1st 2.39:1 2nd: 1.53:1 3rd: 1.00:1 Reverse: 2.39:1 <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
OK guys, help me out. Thinking I've got a 37 floorshift, unknown trans to clutch housing adaptor, and a Cragor 322 nailhead to ??? Ford bellhousing.
Looks like a 37 LaS that was converted to Ford closed drive. So, I would think the alum block adapter is made to fit a Flathead bell. that's a hot setup, see if it's all rust inside..... pull the bottom cover and note that 2 of the bolts are alignment pins that hold the shafts from turning. Make note of where they go if you are not handy that's some old time stuff right there. The Cragar does look like earl Nailhead to me, to use a Ford Flathead trans.
Marvin, Take a look at page one, post number 15...the bottom pic of a chassis. The engine and bell are Olds, but the trans is a converted 37, shortened to fit the Ford closed drive.
F&J, it is pretty crusty inside but it moves about an inch each way before hanging up. To dirty to see any broken teeth. Is the bellhousing model A??
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