Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: csearider on October 07, 2012, 11:04:09 AM

Title: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: csearider on October 07, 2012, 11:04:09 AM
I plan on rebuilding my 1940 LaSalle flathead. A search on google is exhaustive on Ford flatheads, but virtually nothing available on GM etc. I have mechanical skill on average but can be quite accomplished with a little reference and help. Does anyone know of a rebuild resource for our Cadillac/LaSalle engines?

I have noticed that qualified sources with actual experience on these old engines has become quite limited in the auto service market. I do not want someone to gather this experience on my engine rebuild. I am hoping I can get some help from those with this experience from this forum, but do not want to be a nuisance with endless questions. Therefore, if anyone can direct me to a rebuild guide ( I have specs) that would be a huge help.

I really feel that this type of info would benefit the club as it will be the future of younger folks buying our cars and fixing up garage finds as time goes on. I am an "Old Dog", but not too old to learn and do!
Title: Re: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: Dave Shepherd on October 07, 2012, 03:50:25 PM
Any shop that is experienced with Ford flatheads and has  the appropriate manuals, should have no trouble with the LaSalle.
Title: Re: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: harry s on October 07, 2012, 09:15:28 PM
One of the best resources is the shop manual for your car or other flathead models. There is also an excellent manual that was used by the Army for tank engine rebuilding and maintance. The Modified Chapter has this manual available through John Serio. Their website is
ModifiedCadillac.org. Also try some searches on this forum as there has been much discussion on the subject. Lastly don't feel bad about asking. There is always someone that has been there.
Good Luck,   Harry
Title: Re: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: Fred Pennington 25635 on October 09, 2012, 01:53:06 PM
Click on this link
Walt Brewer in the Rocky Mountain Region has written some great articles on rebuilding a flat head

http://www.rmrclc.com/waltsWorkBench.html

Good Luck
Fred P.
Title: Re: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: csearider on October 21, 2012, 04:08:41 PM
The articles by Walt Brewer are invaluable! and accessible by web. Thanks for this tip.

Also on ebay is a WWII service manual for the M5 tank. This is the same engine as in the M5. It is extremely comprehensive and very reasonable @ $9.95 plus shipping. It has been put on the CD and from CD one can print in entirety. It covers how to completely rebuild the engine from top to bottom and is easy to read as it was written for those farm boys that worked on their tractors and gas station attendants that were most probably considered mechanically inclined in that time of need. Highly recommended!
Title: Re: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: Brorag on March 24, 2013, 12:41:33 PM
go here and download free:
https://ia701505.us.archive.org/3/items/TM9-1729A/TM%209-1729A.pdf
Title: Re: Flathead v8 322 Engine Rebuild
Post by: bariman on March 29, 2013, 03:39:01 PM
I have recently done rebuilds myself on 2 39 Lasalle 322's.  Let me know if you have any specific questions.  Buchholz001@bellsouth.net