1937 LaSalle clutch

[Rich Iannelli]

Hi,
I could use some good advice. When I am in gear, and press down on the clutch, the gears are still engaged. If I pump the gas and release the gas pedal, it will go to neutral.

Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Rich Iannelli

[harry s]

Rich, It sounds like the clutch disc is sticking to the flywheel. It might be adjustment but the fact that it releases when you rev the engine there is some reason causing the sticking. It could be oil residue from the rear of the crankshaft. As you know the 37s don't have a seal but a slinger. You might be able to tell better by removing the inspection cover. Good Luck,
Harry

[Rich Iannelli]

If I drop the transmission, is there a list of parts I should be searching for?
Throw out bearing, clutch disk,etc

[harry s]

You can have the clutch disc and pressure plate rebuilt. I have used Fort Wayne Clutch and always been satisfied. They rebuild to the original specs. Their turn around time is good and prices reasonable (https://fortwayneclutch.com/). They would probably also have the throw out bearing.    Harry

[KC Tom]

If you are closer to Kansas City there is Vader brake and clutch that is a old time rebuilder and does great work

[35-709]

Kentucky Clutch is also a good one.

[LaSalle5019]

It sounds to me like there is an issue with the pressure plate. Oil isn't going to cause that level of sticking and any out the rear seal will sling off the flywheel before it gets to the clutch. Since you have to pull the clutch cover off anyway, I would start there. Get a good flashlight and watch for proper action of the throwout bearing and pressure plate while someone slowly pushes the clutch pedal (ENGINE OFF!). You can watch to ensure you are getting the expected travel, the throwout bearing is properly retained in the fork, etc.

That will at least give you some idea as to next steps. Pulling the trans is a bit of a pain. The rear trans mount supports the rear of the engine too so you have to support under the back side of the engine while doing that.

[rg171352]

Are the clutch discs the same for 37 LaSalles versus 38-53 3 speeds?

[Jay Friedman]

According to my 1935-55 Master Parts List, the 11" clutch disc for 37 LaSalles is the same as the disc for all Cadillacs and Lasalles in 38 and all Cadillacs and Lasalles in 39.  An exception is LaSalles in 39 after engine unit numbers 2-D-700 which has a smaller 10" diameter disc. All later Cadillacs and Lasalles have different discs.

[rg171352]

Hi Jay,

Thank you very much for your response.  When you say that all other Cadillacs and Lasalles had different discs, does the parts list provide information as to what characteristics of the engine would determine the clutch and pressure plate used?  I am hoping to just get my car moving again.  The current engine in it (not original to the car) is a 41 Cadillac engine, the trans is likely from the same car.  I don't remember what the engine going in it is from, but I think it is from a 39 Cadillac.  I'd like to make the swap as straight forward as possible.

Thanks!

[Jay Friedman]

The parts book doesn't have any details except that 37 Lasalle, 39 and 41 pressure plates and discs are made by the Long Manufacturing Company (not Borg and Beck as in some other model years). The pressure plate you use will depend on how the bolt holes in the 39 motor's flywheel are drilled.

However, I'm not personally familiar with these model years. Best you ask someone who is such as Harry Scott, Terry Wenger or Bob Schuman.