Flathead to Lasalle transmission adapter bellhousing

[Pete]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

What is the advantage to a LaSalle transmission? Takes more HP? Old style hot rod?

Stronger than the early Ford type but still not strong enough to stand up to serious horsepower. Definitely would not stand button shifting.

[JSeery]

I am a T5 fan, but it depends of the application and objective. I was just commenting on the price of that transmission. Behind a flathead don't see much advantage over a stock Ford 3 speed, unless it was a race application.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by JSeery

I am a T5 fan, but it depends of the application and objective. I use just commenting on the price of that transmission.

I get where your coming from now.

[Ol' Ron]

The Cad La sal trans could not stand up the Blown Olds engines of the day, and put B&M in business replacing them. Also the synchronizes didn't work well at hi revs.

[bobH]

Back in the 50's I was working at a small independent garage. I recall a customer with a 55 Chevy and La Salle trans. I did the R&R on that trans three times when the owner blew it (broken gears). Blair's Speed Shop did the trans rebuild, three times. After that, the customer went away, and I never heard what happened next. My point is, that La Salle trans did not stand up to stock 55 Chevy power, with an aggressive driver. And, stock 55 Chevy power is not much, compared to todays well-built flathead. So, for nostalgia, Yes. And, for a strong trans, No.
I've had two Cad-LaSalle trans' during my time. One was in a 37 LaSalle which I sold. And, the other, I gave to a metal scrap guy when I moved. I thought they were an interesting trans, but just looking at the gears, I could never see anything particularly sturdy about them.
(One more thing I learned from that 55 Chevy/37 LaSalle trans combo...
The LaSalle trans has a shift rail that moves forward, beyond the front of the trans. It needs a hole in the adaptor to go into. The hole was missing on the adaptor in that 55 Chevy. The first trans no doubt blew because the trans never got completely shifted into gear. I corrected that, but the customer continued to blow two more trans'.)

[Deuce Man]

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How about using a flathead to Chevy adapter and having wilcap make up an aluminum adapter from chevy to cad . I have one of those adapters, looks somewhat similar to the bellhousing in Deuce lovers post, might be relatively easy. Rich

[Tinker]

Not related to this thread really, But a nice article on the hamb.


https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-ford.1116503/

[34fivewindow]

Here is one on the NorCal craigslist for sale.

[chero231]

I ran a 50 Olds in my 52 Merc with a 49 Olds bell and a 37 LaSalle trans. Perfect fit..

[skidmarks]

Must have been a 50 olds bellhousing, all 49's were hydramatics

[Newc]

Hi all; Check HAMB Aug 11... It seems that one just came up for $700... Newc

[BanjoBob]

I don't know if anyone is still interested in a flathead to LaSalle adapter - i just joined The Ford Barn and picked up this thread. I have such an adapter. It's Offenhauser Part Number#3640 and mine is NOS including the little cloth bag with the front pilot bearing and instruction sheet, just the way it came from Offenhauser, except for the small notch I made to fit around the starter drive gear cover (per the instructions). You need a clutch plate with a 1 1/4" - 10 spline hub and I have an unused rebuilt one from Ft. Wayne Clutch which set me back over $100 about 20 years ago. I was going to use this setup in my roadster and had actually mocked it up, but someone wanted the LaSalle tranny more than I did and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I figured I could get another tranny easier than the adapter but now, several cars and 20 years later, I've never gotten around to using it. So I figure that someone else might want this neat bit of history. It won't be cheap but where else can you find one like this? My LaSalle tranny had the original shifter which I sold with the tranny. But before I got rid of it I had the lower part of the shifter (the part that fits into the tranny) reproduced because the shifters have a way of getting lost. In case someone wants the adapter and needs a shifter, I've got that goody also.

[JSeery]

Might consider posting in the Swap Meet section of the Barn and the HAMB. Might be a hot item on the HAMB.

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by skidmarks

Flathead ford to LaSalle offenhauser bellhousing that uses the flathead ford clutch fork.

I have researched it and cant find any for sale or ones that have actually sold. I have found wanted ads for them. In other posts it pretty much says rare, hard to find and expensive.

Anyone know of any that sold or what the realistic number is.

Here is the Offenhauser in my 39 Ford Coupe - it allows for the use of the stock 39 Ford clutch assembly - also you can see an adapter plate to match to the 1951 Cadillac Engine.