LaSalle Transmission Identification

[Richard gottshall]

Help! I installed my newly rebuilt motor for my 1938 LaSalle only to find the transmission is not correct for 38.  It is about 8 inches too long to fit.  It was bolted to the motor out of the vehicle when I bought the car.  It does fit the 38 motor and the Hollander interchange manuel says that 39,40 and 41 Cadillac transmissions will match the bolt paterns but it will be too long.  The only identification on the trans is the stamped number 630 on the side of the case.

Would anyone know the correct year of this trans and correspondingly, what would be the number stamped on the side of the correct for 1938 transmission.

Thanks for any assistance.  Richard Gottshall CLC 10430.

[Mike Simmons 938]

Richard- To my knowledge, the length of the main case is the same from 38 through  52 (or 53?). If you can post a picture of the tail housing, especially one showing it from - say- 3/4 rear shot, that would be helpful in diagnosing the trans. Does the driveshaft that came with the car have a sliding member in it?
Mike

[John Washburn CLC 1067]

Richard,

Another option might be the drive shaft. I have a few of these - so it might be that a shorter drive shaft might be the answer?

John W

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

 Jeff.  Both yours are 1941 or later smaller series Cadillac judging by the tail shaft housing and will not fit on a LaSalle without modifications.  The earlier ones didn't have that cylindrical bulge on the end of the tail housing.  Until 40 the front yoke of the u-joint was bolted to the end of the tail shaft.  In 41 the front yoke slid on the tail shaft splines and functioned as the slip joint.

Frank Declou

[Richard gottshall]

Fellows: Thanks for your imput.  The Cadillac Master Parts index lists the 1938 Cadillac and LaSalle transmissions interchangable with each other only and not with any other year Cadillac/LaSalle.  The Hollander interchange manuel notes that no other makes, models or years interchange so I guess I am stuck replacing the trans I have with a (correct) 1938 one.  Does anyone know what the 3 didgit number stamped on to the side of the '38' tranmission case shoule be?  As previously noted the trans I have is stamped 630.  Thanks for your interest and help.  Richard

[Tom King]

Hi Rich,
The 1937-41 trans came with two different length tailshafts.  One is 14.5" and one is 21.25" and there was a yoke bolted to the end of the tail shaft.  Where is the 3 digit number stamped.  Send me a pic and I will check the 38 trans that I have.  Good Luck. Tom King

Fellows: Thanks for your imput.  The Cadillac Master Parts index lists the 1938 Cadillac and LaSalle transmissions interchangable with each other only and not with any other year Cadillac/LaSalle.  The Hollander interchange manuel notes that no other makes, models or years interchange so I guess I am stuck replacing the trans I have with a (correct) 1938 one.  Does anyone know what the 3 didgit number stamped on to the side of the '38' tranmission case shoule be?  As previously noted the trans I have is stamped 630.  Thanks for your interest and help.  Richard

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

Thanks Tom.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Gee guys I thought we beat this topic to death last time. According to the MPB there are 10 DIFFERENT tail housings between 1937 & 1941.  This includes the second design 41 unit. There are 3 DIFFERENT cases from 1937 to 1941. What are the differeces? I'm not sure, but I remember my 37 V12 had a strange one. It's 37 V12 only in the book. I think we need to figure out the date codes & maybe some other way to ID these items.
HTH, Bob

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

Your fanning the flames Bob. :<)

[Mike Simmons 938]

Gee guys I thought we beat this topic to death last time. According to the MPB there are 10 DIFFERENT tail housings between 1937 & 1941.  This includes the second design 41 unit. There are 3 DIFFERENT cases from 1937 to 1941. What are the differeces? I'm not sure, but I remember my 37 V12 had a strange one. It's 37 V12 only in the book. I think we need to figure out the date codes & maybe some other way to ID these items.
HTH,
[Bob/quote]  Bob- case differences that come to mind are : 37 is a floorshift ( or course) with several internal differences from the later boxes; 38 had no drilled and tapped screw holes to secure the clutch shaft bearing in place; and 39-41 had them. Mike

[Bgrumka 24870]

Difference  between the 38 and the 39/40 transmissions is that the 39/40 have a lengthwise mounting surface and the housing/shaft is longer, (and fatter from what I see), While the 38 transmission has a shorter housing/shaft and an opposed/crosswise mounting  surface.
And the 39/40 has the little screw on the front face that retains the input shaft bearing; which necessitates having the correct 39/40 bell housing which has the little dimple to clear the retaining screw.

So a 39 or 49 Cadillac/LaSalle transmission should bolt right into a 1940 car, but a 38 trans. will not. A 38 side shift transmission is unique to it's own year.
If you are still interested I have a 1938 LaSalle transmission and could check for the number(s) you were looking for.

Regards,

Bob,  CLC 24870