Finally got it home it runs great put 50 miles on it so far.
Patina is good everything works except fuel gage.
Will try to add new pictures. There is a rust hole in floor and trunk
Not sure how much to do since its so original. Opinions are welcome.
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Finally got it home it runs great put 50 miles on it so far.
Patina is good everything works except fuel gage.
Will try to add new pictures. There is a rust hole in floor and trunk
Not sure how much to do since its so original. Opinions are welcome.
Nice looking car. I don't think I would "rod it out"... might be to nice...
That is really nice. It would be hard for me to tear into it this time of year since it runs and drives. :LOL: But, a vintage type of power train may be a cool place to start.
Don't succumb to heresy......................rod it!!! Just as God intended........................
When I was a kid of 14 (1956), my father took me over to one of his friend's house to see a '40 Chevy Coupe. It was black and looked stock, much like this '38, but when he raised the hood, I was knocked out. I can't remember what 6-cylinder motor it was, although it excites me to think that maybe it was a GMC 302. Anyway, It had a GMC 6-71 blower mounted with 5 (yeah, five) Stromberg 97's on a log manifold. Not since that day have I seen another motor that impressed me as much.
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Make it a sleeper.
I will take it to car shows this year as it is . I am sure there will be a lot of different ideas to hear. Thanks for your thoughts.
It took me 5 years to finish my 38. But it was nothing like yours in the begining. Mine had been a stock car as in circle track and was questionable as to scrap it or keep it. Good luck with yours. Have fun with it
I normally use Mobil 1 oil with bestline oil additive this 216 has no oil filter so I am using Valvoline non detergent. 30w. Its pretty hard for me to do but i get it. detergent oil will loosen up the sludge and plug stuff up. Just was wondering if any of you guys ever use bestline oil additive in these old engines or does it have enough cleaning stuff in to cause a problem.
Thanks
Never even heard of "bestline oil additive"...
Maybe if you get a chance. Drop the basepan and clean it out...??..?? Then move up to Mobil 1.
You'll still need to be aggressive with the oil changes, but Mobil 1 is so much better than any non-detergent! ( imho!!):rolleyes::LOL::rolleyes::LOL:
Could do that I did have valve cover off to adjust the valves it was clean there.
If it does break I guess that would be the ticket for a smblk.
There are some bestline videos out there they compare it to V max. Lucas. Take a look
Its impressive . never used additives in the past these tests made me try it.
If the lifter chamber or the rocker area are clean, then the previous owner likely was using an oil with a full additive package in it. Without detergent/dispersants sludge will show up relatively quickly, especially in an engine used for frequent short use operation. As for "impressive" additive products, I've been exposed to a long list of "miracle in a can" additives over the past 50+ years of automotive operation............on close review they all make essentially the same range of claims, just with a different set of words and graphics. They come.....they go.....the wheel keeps turning. If they don't cause any harm, a buyer is okay to use them........whatever makes them feel good.
Well said bob like I said I never was much additive user sometimes we fall for what seems to be a good thing. (Marriage a big one) :) Thanks for your reply
I'm going to leave the oil subject alone, but I still like the idea of leaving it as original as your conscience allows. Others may think I'm spouting heresy on this forum for saying such a thing but I'm digging my heels in. :) I'm not sure what I would do to it for sure if I was in your shoes. I do think you have the means to start something and finish it , that does help. I hate to see things torn apart with the best intentions and then collect dust till the parts go on a swap meet once the builder realizes he bit off more than he can chew.:(
I think I suggested on another forum to drop in a hopped up 235 to make it more highway friendly.
I will say that I have fooled around with stock original cars and they are really not at all practical for even limited use beyond local jaunts. Cars from the late 50's can be used fine, but the the older cars just don't work well on modern roads.
I wrench a stock model A for a local guy and it frustrates me to no end when I have to drive it. No power and weak brakes are the 2 things that I hate the most. The first thing I would do if it was mine is rod it in some way. We also have to wait days for parts for anything.
I knew a fellow that had a 46 Chevy that was bone stock. He was adamant that it wasn't going to be ruined by hot rodding it. Interstates scared him to death and he went everywhere on 2-lane back roads. Needless to say, he wasn't ever able to get in a hurry. He finally got tired of babying it and driving on old roads. He swapped in a Vortec V6/700R4, S10 front clip and proceeded to drive the wheels off of it.
The same thing happened with a another local that had a 40 coupe with a warmed over flat head. Beautiful engine, but that killer looking engine didn't make it fun to drive. He swapped in a new Fatman chassis and late model power and enjoys the car much more. He kept the original chassis and engine so that the car could be returned to original if someone wanted to.
If you have the room to store and keep up an original that gets very limited use, then keep it as it is. I vote to rod it and use it.
In 1962 I drove a stock 40 Ford 2 dr sedan from Camp Pendleton, Ca. to Dayton, Ohio on leave from the Marine Corps. It was all Route 66 until Illinois where bits and pieces of Interstate 70 were open and I almost got blown off the road by an 18 wheeler who was in some kind of a hurry. I wouldn't want to do it today with the same car as it was then, absolutely too dangerous.
Two years later I drove a sbc powered 36 Ford 5 window coupe from Dayton to Camp Pendleton, much more enjoyable trip and even though it was all old school I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I still had the car.
Your car do as you wish, but I doubt you will drive it very long bone stock.
Use it, definitely. Enjoy it.
My dodge and it's quiet companion the Indian just sit in the car port lately.
I drove it to work today that was cool.
My dad is 76 and still can drive and do things with me so I would hate to tear it apart
And have him miss out enjoying it with me
If I do it will take some time to do it the way I would want.. So I have been asking advise
On keeping this old 216 going for awhile. If I was going to change motor don't think I would do anything other than a 350 or 383 Chevy the guy I bought the car from offered me a 235 out of a 51 Chevy I think. He got that from a friend of mine that took it out and put in a 327.
He thinks i Will only last a couple of months driving it with the 6cyl. And then switch who knows. Thanks everyone for your comments. I got excepted to classic & Chrome indoor car show May 6-7 bringing both my cars they were more excited about the 38 than the camaro.
They just don't see a lot of 38's that are left alone.
Congrats on getting in the show. I took my Corvette to world of wheels when they still did it in Des Moines. The promoter was highly irritated it was not a big block in it even though I disclosed what engine and trans were in the car when I sent the registration info in. Oh well. It was still good exposure for the car.
I put a new fuel sender in now the fuel gauge works.
I have put 300 miles on it so far quite the workout. My dad finally drove it what a grin.
He said he felt like he was 15 again when his grampa taught him to drive. He can't get over the sound of first gear and how it is a way back machine .I did order a new 4 bolt Chevy from summit and some fun stuff not that its going in the 38 but if I do it doesn't hurt to start collecting and building.
That's kinda dumb that they were irritated over that. I would be happy it wasn't another big block Vette.Quote:
Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe
300 miles, I'll bet it used to take 6 months to put that many miles on back in the day, Is it fun to drive the way it is or a chore?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jematt
It is a chore but is very fun it definitely takes the hurry out of the equation.
I had to order a LED tail light for safety the original looks like a candle
Not bright enough. It was appreciate your antique day heard on the radio so I drove all over
Even took it to a WW1 exhibition show the look on people's faces is priceless.
The led should be brighter and I imagine your headlights are also dim and go dimmer at an idle. That's because it's running a 6 volt system with a generator which to be quite honest makes you a hazard at night, be careful.
The headlights are real bright I was surprised it has high beams .
I keep reaching for turn signals but none I don't think these days many people know what hand signals are. Right turn Clyde.
You'll need that bumper sticker up front that says, "Horn is broke, watch for finger." :LOL:
Well I have put 1000 miles on the 38 so far won 1 best in class original UN restored its been a blast. 95% of car guys at the car shows say leave it as is. Power tour just around the corner now its time for the camaro its ready and leaving June 6th for arrowhead stadium.
Life is good.
If you're satisfied with the way it is then leave it as is and have fun with it.
I'll look for your Camaro in Newton. That's the only stop I'm going to make this year unfortunately.
Cool some is better then none i will look for yours also
When will you guys be in Newton? There is a small chance I could make it there.
I don't live far from there but I'm not sure what time the tour is supposed to roll in Newton yet.
June 11 Sunday around noon
Crap, no chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jematt
I'm pretty sure the event goes until 9pm or so. Noon is just when people start rolling in I believe.Quote:
Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5
Show closed at 7:00 PM.