1940 La Salle Series 52.

[914Driver]

I bought the car a year ago, nice body but the engine was locked up.  OK, I've rebuilt engines before.  The 322 was not to happen.  A crack between the valves and cylinder was badly repaired and failed, overheating the engine.  It "could" be repaired but with only a 40% chance of success.

I bought a 1942 346 engine and had it redone.  To get the cylinders cleaned out they had to be bored .030 over, now a 352.  The engine is in and I'm stumbling on the wiring.  One site suggest there are not enough ground straps, so I added two.  I'd appreciate it if you could point me toward a good wiring schematic for a LaSalle.

Thanks.

[Tom Boehm]

Hello 914, there is a wiring diagram in the 1940 Cad/Las shop manual. Reproduction copies can be bought online at Faxon Auto Literature. Or maybe ebay or other auto literature places in Hemmings.

[914Driver]

Just ordered, thank you. 

[914Driver]

Update:  The starter was rebuilt and there is power to it, but nowhere else in the system.  No solenoid action, headlights, nothing.  All the fuses I could find are good.  I did add two ground straps from the block to the frame after reading other threads here.  This is quite frustrating. 

I'm not rich, but I reached out to a few local shops I trust, knowing that it could be a lot of poking around for lots of money with no resolution. 

I am at a dead end and welcome suggestions.  I'd like to have this beautiful car running and happy by spring.

Thanks, Dan

[Tom Boehm]

The Cadillac and Lasalle Club has experienced volunteer "club technicians" to help members with restoration questions. There is one for the 1937-1948 flathead V8 engines. There is another one for 1939-1940 Cad/Lasalles. I have contacted these guys before by phone. I think their contact info is on the CLC website in the members only section. If not, I can PM you the contact info as I just got a new directory. These guys do not participate on this forum.

Does your car have the original old wiring harness? What state are you in?

[914Driver]

Thank you Tom, I am a member and will poke around when I get home (visiting family).

The car was restored and the harness appears OEM, but not 83 years old.  A member spoke of a red wire, I have a red tracer, but typing by phone is not my preference.  I can research more at home when under the hood.😁

There is a CLClub more local to me than most of you folks may be, I will look into them this week.

Dan

[914Driver]

Quick update:  02.27.25

Morning all, I sent my LaSalle to a friend's shop where a laundry list of 10 minute jobs were checked off.  I mostly wanted someone with more experience to do the first start up, with all the time and money invested I thought it was best.
Car runs and drives beautifully!  Can't wait for Spring.  I have to say it does have interesting paint. In the sun it looks silver, in the shade it looks almost black.
  (I now have the hub caps on).