1939 lasalle 3 speed tranmission

[Dad lasalle]

question is, can you remove the lower cover from the  3 speed transmission without fear of any parts falling out. I want to replace and /or reseal the gasket which has a seep leak and I am unaware of the cover may have any parts attached. I have a maintenance shop manual but it isn't very clear of any illustrated parts break down that I can see.

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

I have done this on my 1940. Nothing will fall out if you drop the bottom cover. Several of the bolts holding the cover on need to have sealant applied to them when they are reinstalled. These are the ones that are not threaded into blind holes but screw into the interior of the case.

Be aware that the bottom cover is not the only part of the transmission that likes to leak. My dripping has lessened, but I still do get some. I suspect that they began leaking on day one.

[Bob Schuman]

I agree with Alan, nothing will fall out. Two of the bolts are longer with an unthreaded portion, that goes into the countershaft and reverse idler shaft to prevent their rotating. Apply sealer to the threaded portion, not to the smooth unthreaded part.

Leakage at the shifter shafts is common. Original seals there were cork rings. Replacement with rubber O-rings is easy and an improvement to stop leaks. If that is your problem I can provide information on O-ring sizes and procedure. I'm in the CLC directory in Illinois.

[harvey b]

You also have to make sure you put the bolts back in the exact hole they came from,I think you cant shift when the bolts are removed as it will move the countershafts?. I may be mistaken but i think that can be a problem with them?.harveyb

[Jay Friedman]

Besides the shifter shafts and the bolts on the bottom cover, these transmissions can leak from the front gasket, the rear seal, as well as from the bolts that holding the rear housing to the main case that DON'T go into blind threaded holes. 

In addition to what Bob Schuman wrote about the shifter shaft o rings, I can email to you copies of an article I wrote for the Self Starter some years ago on working on these transmissions.  I'm in the CLC directory in Georgia.

Jay Friedman

[Dad lasalle]

Thanks very much gentlemen, I  will take note of the bolt positions when I remove them to reseal the lower pan and replace as taken out.  Most helpful you were.