1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

checked individually and then matched into sets by
hand. The expert hand, eye and ear of long trained
craftsmen check for perfect running quietness in a
soundproof room.
The low and reverse gear are of the sliding type
mounted on helical splines. Second speed gears are in
constant mesh for silence. There are no shifter shafts
since the new shift control operates through levers.
Friction is thereby greatly reduced and shifting is
much easier. On the bottom of the transmission housing
is a removable plate for service accessibility*
The pin type synchronizer, which made shifting so
easy and clashless last year, is continued, and has
even greater effectiveness by increasing the gripping
power of the drums. The drums are now of tough,
strong, corrosion-resisting aluminum alloy.
Overdrives, fourth speed gears or other automatic
gearing devices, used on some cars, are necessary
with small engines to improve economy and life.
The extra cost owners must pay for these devices offsets
any small improvement in economy claimed
for them.
Cadillac, however, prefers to use large engines sufficiently
powerful to pull the car under all conditions,
and runs these engines slowly by means of low standard
rear axle ratios. Performance, as well as long life and
economy, is therefore secured. Transmission complexity
is avoided.
Speedometer
The speedometer drive gear is placed at the rear of the
transmission and is driven by a spiral gear from the
transmission shaft. This gives a quiet operating gear
automatically lubricated at all times.
REVISED 12-13-3-7
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