37 or 38 LaSalle or Cadillac V8

[CadDad]

 Looking for a good running engine. Rebuilt or not as long as it is in good running condition. Going into a 37 LaSalle. My interchange manual shows that a 37 or 38 LaSalle or 37 ,38 Cadillac V8 will interchange. I know there are some differences to the Cadillac vs the LaSalle, but are there any issues with mating them to a 37? Since this won't be an original engine I'm not terribly concerned if it is a LaSalle or Cad. I know I would probably need to personally get the engine so I am hoping to find something not more than a day or two away. I am located near Lafayette, Indiana. Thank you!  Paul

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Hi Paul, Which way "near" Lafayette? I'm in Flora. Is your Packard the one that originally was owned by the widow of the  Packard dealer in Lafayette? (Sorry, I don't have any leads on an engine.)

[CadDad]

That would be me. I live in Mulberry but I am through Flora quite a bit.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Shambaugh was the name. (I had to finally look it up on the Web. She always supported the Lafayette Club a lot.)

[harry s]

Here is a listing for NOS Flathead engines from Hemmings. Looks like one of them is '37 or'38.
https://www.hemmings.com/parts/item/16571.html?refer=news
Harry

[35-709]

Wow! 
One of them has an alternator, another an AC compressor.

[harry s]

It would be interesting to know the source.    Harry

[Bobby B]

It would be interesting to know the source.    Harry

Very.....
        Bobby

[Steve Passmore]

What a find. Looks like someone bought bankrupt stock.

[CadDad]

Wow. Quite a collection!

[Steve Passmore]

That should cover anyone looking for a good engine for years to come, unless he can't find enough buyers and it go's for scrap.

[Bob Schuman]

The engines in the photos look very much like they may be the same ones I saw in 1997. If so, be careful what you may be buying. At that time Terry Wenger informed me of a large number of flathead V-8's, each with a water cooled Hydramatic and mounted on steel skids. About fifty appeared brand new, with another 20 showing signs of having been used. Most were in wooden crates and appeared to be WW2 surplus. They were all painted yellow as in some of the photos at the start of this thread, and many had tags indicating electrical components had been either built or rebuilt in Mexico. I believe the electrics were 24 volts. They had no radiators, possibly being intended for stationary use where cooling water would be available. Note that in at least one photo the back of the right side block has two plugs, indicating water cooling ports for a military application Hydramatic transmission, never used in a passenger car.

Terry and I met at the location and were inspecting our find, when the lot owner came by. He intended to sell the engines or scrap them if not sold as is. Terry put an ad in Hemmings to try to find a home for the engines, knowing many persons could make good use of them. A Tennessee man bought the entire lot, being a knowledgeable old Cadillac person, intending to resell them as the brand new engines that most of them actually were.

Some years later a friend opened for inspection one of the new engines before installing it in a car, and found the camshaft and lifters were definitely not new. The belief was that the Tennessee man swapped some internal parts, so that is why I think any buyer should proceed with care. The link in the first post on this subject shows a 416 area code, which is in Canada, so these engines may or may not be the same ones we found and subsequently went to the Tennessee man.

[Bobby B]

So that is why I think any buyer should proceed with care....

I am  once again AMAZED at how Observant and Knowledgable you guys are. I have a feeling there's more to this story, and I'm sure more people on this Forum know more about this. It's just too difficult to keep a stash like that Hidden without someone knowing what the real deal is.....
                                                               Bobby

[z3skybolt]

Has anyone checked into these engines?  It is just too good to be true and if true asking price is far less than that of a "quality" overhaul.  I think Bob Shuman is probably correct. Most likely they are leftovers from that stash found in Alton Illinois over 20 years ago.  It would seem unwise to purchase one of these without a personal inspection. If valid....I would be loading up my American Express.

Bob

[holydagmars]

If these are military engines, then they may present problems other than mere prior use.  While I'm sure there are folks on this forum better informed about Cadillac military engines than I am, I've been hearing for years about rough running (due to cast iron pistons and different cam timing) as well as transmission bolt-up problems with these engines.  And at least a few such engines were left-handed -- which would be fine for drivers who want three speeds in reverse and one very low forward gear, not to mention air blowing out of the grille!

[Steve Passmore]

Old wifes tale. I have never seen cast iron pistons in the 8 military engine that I have owned or been associated with in some way. They have all been identical as far as the short block is concerned, the Marine engine being the only odd one out because of extra block casting.  Car bell housings and flywheels bolt right up with a change of dowels for the manual box. Never have I seen one yet that ran backwards.

[KenZ]

No problems regarding the performance of the military tank engine installed in my 1936 Cadillac.  Runs real strong and quiet.  Most likely had had very little use.  Cylinder walls just needed honing and reused the original standard bore pistons. Requires some modification but nothing extreme.  Based on my experience, I would have very little hesitation utilizing a military engine that has been carefully taken apart and inspected.  KenZ

[holydagmars]

Old wifes tale. I have never seen cast iron pistons in the 8 military engine that I have owned or been associated with in some way. They have all been identical as far as the short block is concerned, the Marine engine being the only odd one out because of extra block casting.  Car bell housings and flywheels bolt right up with a change of dowels for the manual box. Never have I seen one yet that ran backwards.

No left-hand marinized Cadillac engines?  Up until the '70s or so, all marine engines were available in reverse rotation for use in twin-screw installations -- the idea being that counter-rotation cancels out each propeller's "p-factor" and thereby eliminates steering bias or "prop walking."  Current practice (presumably to enhance engine standardization) accomplishes left-hand rotation by means of a reverse idler gear in the transmission.

[Steve Passmore]

No left-hand marinized Cadillac engines?  Up until the '70s or so, all marine engines were available in reverse rotation for use in twin-screw installations -- the idea being that counter-rotation cancels out each propeller's "p-factor" and thereby eliminates steering bias or "prop walking."  Current practice (presumably to enhance engine standardization) accomplishes left-hand rotation by means of a reverse idler gear in the transmission.

You might well be right. All I said was never have I have seen one yet that ran backwards.  Mike Jaggers 1936 convertible has a ex War dept marine engine fitted. These engine are distinguishable from the normal ones.

[carlhungness]

Hi: