The Ford Barn

bills · 03-21-2018, 05:21 PM

I hope that there are some old-school hot-rodders out there that can help me with some information.
I'm looking at a '37 Ford hot-rod that was built probably 30 years ago using some '50's era (maybe ?) speed parts.
The car has Fenton intake, aluminum heads and some other vintage speed stuff on a '50s Mercury flathead.
My question is that the car has a non-synchronized 3 speed in it, and the guy told me that it is either a Cadillac transmission or a Ford case with Cadillac gears in it. I don't know if this was ever really done, or if the trans is just worn out.
Is anyone familiar with this set-up? Is (was) there such a thing? I would think that a Cadillac would have syncros in it unless it was really, really old.
I'm not sure if I want to mess with having to double-clutch, and speed match gears to downshift with this type of tranny.
Any information would be appreciated. I really like the car, but I don't want to get into something that I'll regret later.
Thanks

JSeery · 03-21-2018, 05:30 PM

Did you try asking this question on the HAMB?

bills · 03-21-2018, 05:32 PM

I looked on the HAMB, but I've always gotten good info on this forum.

skidmarks · 03-21-2018, 05:37 PM

Common to see lasalle 3 speeds cut off and adapted to closed ford drive shafts. And there was a flathead to lasalle /cadillac/50 olds transmissions. 37 lasalle was the only factory floor shift the rest were side shift.

They did have a 2nd-3rd syncro and its the weak point.

The roadmaster buick was also adapted to closed ford driveshafts.

Both have to have the output shafts resplined to a ford ujoint and then the case redrilled and some bolt holes plugged for the flathead transmission mount

Most likely its a worn out flathead 3 speed. They did not put cadillac gears in a ford case. Its no were close to fitting.

Lincoln gears in a ford case, yes and that more likely whqt he has or think he has.

These was a thing called a X case that used chevy gears in a aftermarket case and they a re pretty rare

bills · 03-21-2018, 05:43 PM

That's a great suggestion, I'm going to try it.
Thanks!

51 MERC-CT · 03-21-2018, 06:48 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yes, indeed the Lasalle 3 speed is the one I remember being touted as the go to transmission.

zzlegend · 03-21-2018, 08:26 PM

Just curious. But can you get under and take a picture and post it on here. Probably not but hey,,,,,worth a try.

paul2748 · 03-21-2018, 08:35 PM

Cadillac and LaSalle top shifters trans' were the go to units when the hot rodders started using the new OHV's like Olds and Caddy

PeterC · 03-21-2018, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul2748

Cadillac and LaSalle top shifters trans' were the go to units when the hot rodders started using the new OHV's like Olds and Caddy

Yup - here's an example of a 39 Ford Coupe with a 37 LaSalle floor shift trans in place behind a 51 331 Cadillac power plant (click picture to enlarge)

cas3 · 03-21-2018, 09:52 PM

cool! looks like you could "drop the pan" on the lasalle to clean out all the mashed up gears! (damn kids)

expavr · 03-21-2018, 10:19 PM

I ran a 39 Caddy LaSalle box behind a 354 Hemi and you could syncro upshift 1-2-3 but only 3-2 downshift. A dead give away for identifying whether or not its a caddy is that access to the gears is from the bottom of the case. The following HAMB article has some good info on these transmissions. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...d-view.151009/

zzlegend · 03-22-2018, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expavr

I ran a 39 Caddy LaSalle box behind a 354 Hemi and you could syncro upshift 1-2-3 but only 3-2 downshift. A dead give away for identifying whether or not its a caddy is that access to the gears is from the bottom of the case. The following HAMB article has some good info on these transmissions. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...d-view.151009/

Thanks for that. I have a 38-41 and I am always looking for more info on them. Searched the hamb before, but never seen this article.

G.M. · 03-22-2018, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Yes, indeed the Lasalle 3 speed is the one I remember being touted as the go to transmission.

The Lasalle tranny is what I used in and old Ford. I don't
remember caddy's being used. Maybe they are the same?? G.M.

skidmarks · 03-22-2018, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.M.

The Lasalle tranny is what I used in and old Ford. I don't
remember caddy's being used. Maybe they are the same?? G.M.

Difference is tail shaft length and then the lasalle line was drop so it was just cadillac and the one year only 50 olds which is the most desirable next to the 1937 floor shift version

Byron Warwick · 03-22-2018, 09:42 AM

My Brother had a 1940 La Salle coupe. He drove it as his family car for many years, and he drove it from Ontario to Vancouver three times, in the early sixties. It was finally scrapped, but before that he sold the Transmission to as local, as they had such strong gears.
We used to park The La Salle and my Ford pickup together in our parents driveway, before he Joined the Air Force and moved away.
Cheers, Byron.

Tinker · 03-22-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expavr

I ran a 39 Caddy LaSalle box behind a 354 Hemi and you could syncro upshift 1-2-3 but only 3-2 downshift. A dead give away for identifying whether or not its a caddy is that access to the gears is from the bottom of the case. The following HAMB article has some good info on these transmissions. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...d-view.151009/

Interesting link.

I have a 38-50s side shift that Ive just been saving/storing for no reason. Haven't done any research on it to get actual yr/s.

JSeery · 03-22-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expavr

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...d-view.151009/

I thought it would be a little odd (to say the least) that the HAMB guys would NOT have this covered!

tubman · 03-22-2018, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

I thought it would be a little odd (to say the least) that the HAMB guys would have this covered!

Why do you say this? The H.A.M.B. is a board for Traditional Hot Rods, and what could be more traditional than a LaSalle transmission behind an early Cad or Olds in a Hot Rod? Or am I missing something?

JSeery · 03-22-2018, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Why do you say this? The H.A.M.B. is a board for Traditional Hot Rods, and what could be more traditional than a LaSalle transmission behind an early Cad or Olds in a Hot Rod? Or am I missing something?

Your missing something!

This is what I was suggesting in an earlier post, the HAMB would be a good source for this information.

Post #2: Did you try asking this question on the HAMB?

The HAMB should be the best source there is on this type of question!

Also a typo I corrected!!!!!!!

tubman · 03-22-2018, 02:06 PM

OK. One little word can sure make a difference! Now your corrected post makes sense.

03-21-2018, 05:21 PM	#1
bills Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Olmsted Falls, Ohio Posts: 15	Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods I hope that there are some old-school hot-rodders out there that can help me with some information. I'm looking at a '37 Ford hot-rod that was built probably 30 years ago using some '50's era (maybe ?) speed parts. The car has Fenton intake, aluminum heads and some other vintage speed stuff on a '50s Mercury flathead. My question is that the car has a non-synchronized 3 speed in it, and the guy told me that it is either a Cadillac transmission or a Ford case with Cadillac gears in it. I don't know if this was ever really done, or if the trans is just worn out. Is anyone familiar with this set-up? Is (was) there such a thing? I would think that a Cadillac would have syncros in it unless it was really, really old. I'm not sure if I want to mess with having to double-clutch, and speed match gears to downshift with this type of tranny. Any information would be appreciated. I really like the car, but I don't want to get into something that I'll regret later. Thanks

03-21-2018, 05:32 PM	#3
bills Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Olmsted Falls, Ohio Posts: 15	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods I looked on the HAMB, but I've always gotten good info on this forum.

03-21-2018, 05:37 PM	#4
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods Common to see lasalle 3 speeds cut off and adapted to closed ford drive shafts. And there was a flathead to lasalle /cadillac/50 olds transmissions. 37 lasalle was the only factory floor shift the rest were side shift. They did have a 2nd-3rd syncro and its the weak point. The roadmaster buick was also adapted to closed ford driveshafts. Both have to have the output shafts resplined to a ford ujoint and then the case redrilled and some bolt holes plugged for the flathead transmission mount Most likely its a worn out flathead 3 speed. They did not put cadillac gears in a ford case. Its no were close to fitting. Lincoln gears in a ford case, yes and that more likely whqt he has or think he has. These was a thing called a X case that used chevy gears in a aftermarket case and they a re pretty rare

03-21-2018, 05:43 PM	#5
bills Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Olmsted Falls, Ohio Posts: 15	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods That's a great suggestion, I'm going to try it. Thanks!

03-21-2018, 06:48 PM	#6
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes, indeed the Lasalle 3 speed is the one I remember being touted as the go to transmission. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-21-2018, 05:30 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods Did you try asking this question on the HAMB?

03-21-2018, 08:26 PM	#7
zzlegend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Reseda, Calif. Posts: 2,188	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods Just curious. But can you get under and take a picture and post it on here. Probably not but hey,,,,,worth a try.

03-21-2018, 08:35 PM	#8
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods Cadillac and LaSalle top shifters trans' were the go to units when the hot rodders started using the new OHV's like Olds and Caddy __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

03-21-2018, 09:52 PM	#10
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,572	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods cool! looks like you could "drop the pan" on the lasalle to clean out all the mashed up gears! (damn kids)

03-21-2018, 10:19 PM	#11
expavr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hansville, WA Posts: 776	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods I ran a 39 Caddy LaSalle box behind a 354 Hemi and you could syncro upshift 1-2-3 but only 3-2 downshift. A dead give away for identifying whether or not its a caddy is that access to the gears is from the bottom of the case. The following HAMB article has some good info on these transmissions. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...d-view.151009/

03-22-2018, 09:42 AM	#15
Byron Warwick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Corunna, Ontario, Canada Posts: 309	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods My Brother had a 1940 La Salle coupe. He drove it as his family car for many years, and he drove it from Ontario to Vancouver three times, in the early sixties. It was finally scrapped, but before that he sold the Transmission to as local, as they had such strong gears. We used to park The La Salle and my Ford pickup together in our parents driveway, before he Joined the Air Force and moved away. Cheers, Byron. __________________ IT'S NOT YOUR AGE, IT'S YOUR ATTITUDE !

03-22-2018, 02:06 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Cadillac transmissions in vintage hot rods OK. One little word can sure make a difference! Now your corrected post makes sense.