How to mate a Buick or Caddy to a lasalle tranny

[four-thirteen]

I picked up a '39 laSalle tranny from a buddy of mine on sunday. I figured it would be perfect for my '32 truck project. I haven't decided on the motor yet, but it's either going to be a 401 nailhead or a mid 50s caddy. I need some help of which adapter to get to mate either motor. What is invloved in this and are the parts hard to get? If worse comes to worse, I'll make my own adapter. Beyond the adapter, what else do I need? Lastly, I need to come up with a shifter. I was figuring on modifying a hurst shifter or something, any better ideas? Thanks, Dave

[yorgatron]

i think you picked the 2 hardest engines to find trans adaptors for.tell you what though,if you get a '55 or earlier Caddy you can run the early hydra-matic,they work good.

[Jive-Bomber]

Yorgi speaks the truth!!!

[Fraz]

Even though they're difficult to find adaptors for, don't give up on them. Nailheads rule (I have 3), and 50's cad motors are hella-cool too.

[TV]

If you can find a stick bellhousing for the early cad,the La Salle will bolt right up.I have all of that,what I don't have is a stick flywheel,If you find more than one,let me know,and I will keep looking also.--TV

[286merc]

Dont leave out an early Olds. Stick setups are a lot more common, especially in 53 when the Hydro plant burnt down.
The V8 Olds tranny thru 52 is a Cad/LaSalle with a short tailshaft; also used on pre OHV 98's.

50-53 Olds flywheel also fits Cad, at least 50-54.

Interchangable clutch assemblies for the Cad go back to 1940 as well as 49-58 Olds, 40-56 Packard, 56 Stude GH, various 33-58 and maybe later White trucks. Shouldnt be that hard to pick up the pieces.

Most of the above out of my 58 Hollanders.

Buick is the true oddball.

[four-thirteen]

Yeah, I really like to make things hard on myself. I appreciate the good information. I’m going with the Buick or cad motor because I’ve got a line on both of them. I might be able to dig up an olds. Sounds like I need an early caddy bellhousing and the rest should be straightforward. TV, if I find an extra flywheel, I’ll pick it up. Bomber, what’s that shifter on the side of that tranny. Thanks, Dave