Thread: 1938 chevy business coupe

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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. 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!!)

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.