37 or 38 LaSalle or Cadillac V8

[carlhungness]

I believe you have my contact info at 812 273-2472. I just bought a good '37 Cadillac engine complete less fan that I am not going to use. I also bought a 500" Cadillac engine and have decided that's what I am installing. I am in Madison, IN, not all that far from Lafayette. I also have a '37 transmission I will be selling at a later date.

[tozerco]

Hi guys,

All this discussion on military engines is interesting. Just be a bit careful to recognise that there were a number of "military engines" from Cadillac.

In the early days of WW2 the engines were basically Cadillac car engines modified for military use. Most that I have seen were numbered "3F----" and these are almost all 1941 production engines. A lot of them came to Australia BEFORE the US entered the war after Pearl Harbour in December 1941. I have a 1937 75 series engine block, a 1938 La Salle block and a 1941 "3F" series "military" engine that was probably sent here for the Australian Cruiser Tank programme (abandoned after the US M5 tanks became available in 1942) and, to look at them, apart from an extra flat "rib" cast into the back of the "military" engine, they are almost indistinguishable from each other.

In 1942, serious production of military engines began by Cadillac and these were classified "1G----" and "3G----" engines. I have yet to see one of these "married" up to a car without a LOT of work because they are VERY different from the "3F---" series motors. I think you can see some excellent 3/4 and sectioned views of these engines in the Tank Manual that used to be available on this web site (I can't locate it at present. If someone could point me to its location, that would be good).

I have also heard of 4G---- engines and there was a run of flathead military engines during the early 1950's that, I think, were destined for English "Scout" cars or similar that never progressed very far.

These engines may be all, any or none of these flatheads. I would only really look at a 3F--- series engine for use in cars.

[tozerco]

...and even a G5---- series engine. This is, I think, the one that was to go into the UK CPT20 vehicle. For a very good run-down on what engines were produced when and a look at some very interesting photos, try this site:

http://www.m24chaffee.com/cadillac-flathead-v8-engine-data.html

Note that there were, indeed, left and right hand engines but NOT because one of them ran backwards!

[KenZ]

John,
Very good and interesting information.  My engine is the "1G" version and did require some modification with the drilling of the bell housing alignment dowel pin holes being the most challenging.  The tank version has bigger dowel pins located differently than the automobile engines.  A good engine machinist is required for the bell housing alignment pin drilling, which is very critical for proper transmission alignment and operation (Learned this the hard way).  Shaving some of the block for the starter mounting was also needed.  For 1936 (Cadillac only) the front of the engine is mounted utilizing two "L" brackets.  The existing front holes (4 each) had to be drilled out for the bigger front mounting bracket studs.  Later year cars can utilize the existing brackets on the block.  I don't recall anything else but really do not consider this extreme.  Had some insight from other CLC members and Steve with this project...  KenZ                   

[carlhungness]

I now own a 1937 Cadillac engine that was running when removed from the vehicle. The owner reported it ran well and burned a little oil. It is for sale at $850 and will I will crate and ship. Engine is complete less fan. I am at 812 273-2472.