38 LaSalle Shift pattern

[Ken]

38 LaSalle V8 with 3 speed column shift. Not sure on shifter pattern. Is first gear down and pull towards driver, reverse is up and pull, 2nd up and push, 3rd down and push?

Thanks, ken

[Mike #19861]

 Yep, that would be right. That is the standard pattern for all American built cars with the 3-speed stick.

  Mike

[Ken]

Thanks, thats what I figured. Hopefully will be able to use those gears in a couple of months.

Ken

[Rhino 21150]

And when you do get those gears going beware of BMW owners. They stare the longest! Bob Koch, 1938 La Salle 5019, three on the tree.

[JIM CLC # 15000]

02-08-05
Ken, if the "synronisers" (sic) are not operating correctly,or,are bad, dont be surprised if you get "gear- grind" as you try to shift it into first gear.
If you do experance gear grind, use the "double-cluch" (sic)
shift and you will not have it occur from first-to-second, or,second-to-third. ( If the "synros" are bad, it will always have gear-grind going into first gear, unless you start it in first.
Good Luck, Jim
P.S. If you dont know how to double cluch, ask a truck driver.

[Mike #19861]

 Most all of these transmissions did not have syncros in first or reverse. So, you will have to come to a complete stop to shift to low unless you are familiar with the double clutch rev match technique.

  Mike

[Ken]

Thanks guys for reminding me about the double clutch. A trans guy went through it and said everything looked good, hopefully he will be right.

Ill avoid the "grind it and find it" method.

Ken

[baxter culver #17189]

I wouldnt attempt to learn the double-clutch on a valuable Cad-LaSalle transmission.  If you dont sync the gears while the car is moving, by matching engine speed to road speed, teeth can come off the cluster gear or low/reverse slider and parts are just to hard to come by.  Use a neighbors old Chevy or Ford to learn the technique.  heh, heh.

[Michael Stamps 19507]

I learned how on my old Saab when the clutch went out on me.  I was able to drive 20 miles and get through all 5 speeds without a clutch.  Wasnt fun starting the car in gear and gassing it at stop lights.

Stampie

[Paul Ayres #5640]

Ken - Your trans has no synchronizer on first gear, so to avoid gear grind when shifting into first, just depress tthe clutch and move the lever toward second gear until you feel slight pressure, and hold for a second, then move the lever into first gear position.  This will stop the cluster gear from spinning, and allow you to engage first gear without clashing.  This is an old trick that was taught in drivers ed years ago, when most cars wwere "three on the tree." Paul Ayres

[Chip Lamb #18425]

The recently acquired 40 5019 clashes going 2-3 but not 1-2. Ill double clutch and take long pauses until I dig into it down the road. Putting it into 2nd before 1st or R helps make that work. Most times the double clutch doesnt get me into 1st unless I am at a full stop. There is definitely no synchro going into 1st.

I need to drain and fill the gearbox yet. I suspect it is low on oil since it has left a few drips and who knows the last time it has had any service. The rear end leaves no drips yet was a quart low. Perhaps some Redline MT-90 will free up a sticking synchro if I am lucky enough.

Cheers
Chip
40 5019
70 DVC