installing a small block chevy into a 1940 Lasalle

[tom4428]

Does anyone have experience with or have installed a small block chevrolet engine with a 350 turbo automatic transmission into a 4 door 1940 Lasalle.. I am about to attempt it...I have the car and the drive train ready to go...Just need advice as to the difficulty of this project...amount of welding to be done....clearances,  etc...Thanks!!!!

[EZ]

Should have plenty of room.  You'll just have to make some motor mounts and weld them to the frame.  Simple stuff.

I sure hate to see ya use a SBC in a cool car like a LaSalle.  Dare to be different Bro...........

[Gary]

Tom
there are a number of books about engine swapping and there are lots of street- and hot-rodding web sites that can step you thru the process.
The thing is (as EZ said) you have to fabricate what you need. If you had a Furd or  Chebby of that era, its available in catalogs; for a LaSalle, not so much.
Again, many of those catalog parts could be adapted for your car, but are not a bolt-in.
You have to think about systems : fuel, exhaust, carb linkage, trans shifter, cooling -engine- trans, drive train mounts and alignment, spring and shock calibration, and electrical.........to name a few.
Its not rocket surgery , but it is time consuming and you have to be willing to work out each solution.
Take a look at
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/
http://www.streetrodding.com/

Let us know what you're thinking, we're here to help.

Gary

[73eldo]

Is he going to have any issues with the front cross member or steering and the oil pan?

[EZ]

That depends.  Is he going to leave the 70 year old front suspension and steering in place?  I wouldn't on a street rod.  I'd use a Camaro clip or buy an aftermarket front clip so I could get modern suspension and disc brakes and power rack and pinion steering.  The  the installation of the small block would be a piece of cake!!!

[73eldo]

The little I know about that stuff it does appear that the old Nova or Mustang II is a pretty outdated way to go. 

I presume that stuff made sense when you could go to any scrap yard and pick that stuff up for cheap. 

Can you even buy the suspension wear parts for a 40 Lasalle?

[tom4428]

Thanks all for your help...I will be attempting the first line up of the engine and transmission within a few days, as soon as the front mounts arrive.  I did remove the fenders and grill to help measure and install.  As soon as I can line up everything I will know about the pan and steering clearances...I will keep you all posted....Thanks again....Tom

[EZ]

Tom,
There's a great how-to article in this months Classic Truck magazine on installing aftermarket motor mounts.  Yeah, the pics are of a pickup truck frame but if you squint your eyes just right you could imagine it was a LaSalle frame............

They started off with a set of vintage small block chevy motor mounts from Speedway.  But of course as things are likely to happen they had to be modified to work with his current project.  Lots of good pictures if you want some inspiration.

[tom4428]

Thank you EZ for the lead on that article and I did see it and it was helpful...so thanks again.   The motor is IN and bolted direct to the stock mounts.  I was able to line it up and purchase a set of mounts that worked great.  The transmission fit into the cross frame and iIused a half inch piece of steel bolted to the transmission mount and the frame.  I put in a floor shifter and that moves nice and easy.  What's left is the modification of the two drive shafts, one from the donor car and the other from the 40 Lasalle...The exhaust system has to be worked out and the radiator has to be mounted.   I was able to use the original starter button and I am able to turn the key and it does turn over,  actually started but I had to shut it down...no exhaust manifolds...I am going to try and post some pictures...Thanks for everyone's suggestions...Tom

[EZ]

Sounds like you're runnin' down hill now!! 

Congratulations!

PS: Don't forget to post a few pictures so we can drool.