Transmission and Parts, 1940 Series 62 Coupe

[ebuliavac]

Hi All, Any suggestions as to where I can find transmission parts (or an entire transmission) for a 1940 Series 62 Coupe?  Mine is noisy, maybe it's just bearings.  Fortunately my engine runs well.  Thanks in advance, Ed Buliavac

[joeceretti]

Can you describe the noise? It is still a 3 speed in there right? Some were changed out later for hydramatics.

[ebuliavac]

It's a three speed manual.  The shop says it makes a grinding sound, not changing gears but when it is running.  I'll be able to hear it Wed.  Thanks, Ed 

[joeceretti]

They are very straight forward inside. You should take the cover off and then you will see, if you are technically inclined how easy it will be to determine what the problem is. The seal for the cover is easy to get.

It could just be a brass bushing caught up in there. I hope so.

[ebuliavac]

Thank you, I'll check it out.  I agree, these transmissions are simple so I am not expecting a huge issue.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Steve Passmore]

Its the same manual gearbox right through the flatheads 38 to 48 but as Joe said, a simple one to fix, not so the 37

[Jay Friedman]

In 1941 there was a change to the transmission to driveshaft connection.  Until 1940, the front driveshaft universal joint yoke is bolted to the rear of the transmission main shaft and is removed via a special procedure.  Beginning in ’41 and until the last Cadillac manual transmission in '53, there is a slip joint on the front yoke of the drive shaft, so there is no special removal procedure.  Also, on the earlier transmissions the output shaft at the rear of the extension housing is supported by a caged ball bearing, while on the later transmissions there is a bushing inside the rear extension housing to support the output shaft.  So when you buy any parts you may need, make sure they will fit a '40 transmission, particularly as you may need the rear output shaft bearing.

[ebuliavac]

Thanks Jay, perhaps that bearing is the noisy one.  I am thinking because so many of these were made, the parts should be easy to find but I did not find a vendor in the Authenticity Manual.  Who sells this stuff?

[ebuliavac]

My restoration guy says he knows a parts source, so I think I am OK, but any suggestions on sources would be much appreciated.  This transmission is so common and simple that I am not too concerned.  That and my old tires are keeping me off the road at the moment, but I am getting close to my first test drive.  I'm excited that this old girl is about to be driven again!  It's got a new exhaust and the engine is very quiet, so things are moving along.

[ebuliavac]

I just heard it.  Transmission seems OK, but differential is noisy.  Engine sounds smooth as glass.

[Jay Friedman]

If you still need them, Olcar Bearing Company, Southern Pines NC stocks the transmission bearings.  Northwest Transmissions in Ohio stocks bearings and all other transmission parts.  Olson's Gaskets in Washington State stocks the gaskets.

[Steve Passmore]

I just heard it.  Transmission seems OK, but differential is noisy. 

That could be a problem. Cadillac never intended these diffs to be rebuilt and they were assembled with special tools at the factory. If it is the axle a used replacement shouldn't be too hard to find.

[ebuliavac]

Thank you all.  As it turns out, it needed gear oil.  It is quiet now.  The main transmission problem I am having at this point is that the linkage is very sloppy, to the point where the shift lever gets hung up and doesn't want to move.  We have to go through it and tighten that up.  Never done it before, so any suggestions would be much appreciated.  Thanks again, Ed

[gary griffin]

Is this a floor shift or column?  I am not sure when hey changed, but since my 40 LaSalle is column I will assume your 40 Cadillac is also.

There are rubber grommets on the linkages at every moving part. Count them up and order new ones and hey should fix your problem. I think Steele rubber has them and also all of the normal places would also.

[ebuliavac]

Thank you, that makes sense to me.  It's a column shift.  Best regards, Ed

[ebuliavac]

I looked in the chassis manual, and there is one rubber grommet for the main shift lever that just seals things from the interior.  That does seem to be available from Steele Rubber.  The rest of the linkage seems to be a washer and cotter pin affair.  Please let me know what, if anything, I am missing.  Thanks, Ed

[joeceretti]

You may need to adjust your shift linkage. There is a special tool to do this that is very hard to come by. There are directions in this forum to do it with a clamp. I don't know off hand the link to which thread but it shouldn't be too hard to find.

[ebuliavac]

I did find one thread.  Discussed are the special tool, which some have fabricated recently, and reference to instructions in a 1938 Shop Manual for adjustments without the tool.  I don't think Cadillac had column shift in 1938.  Anyway, if someone has one of these tools or additional information, it would be much appreciated.  My linking is so sloppy the car is barely drive-able.

[ebuliavac]

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=115126.msg184924#msg184924

[joeceretti]

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=130976.0

I know the explanation is around here somewhere. I have posted way to many times. hahah The shop manual does explain, albeit somewhat cryptically, as usual, how to do it without the tool.