VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Proud new '28 owner

Greetings all,
I guess I am the noobie here. Yesterday I became the proud owner of a '28 2 door sedan. I have to be honest, I have been working on cars for over 30 years and I can honestly say this era is so foreign to me. I feel like I have to relearn all over again. With any luck, it will warm up today (-13 C right now) and I will be able to take some pictures.

Congratulations to you, for entering the world of 4 cylinder Chevys. There is a wealth of knowledge avialible on this site and some very helpful people. Were looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Cleon

If you are not a member of the VCCA you should consider becoming one and take full advantage of this site and the club.

Welcome to the 4-banger bunch. These older Chevrolets are a real pleasure to work on. They are very simple compared to modern vehicles. No computers, you can use basic tools and actually see what you are doing. I am sure that you will find that your skills honed over 30+years will come in handy.

First thing to learn is that any positive oil pressure is ok. They will have 2 lbs or so at hot idle and 10 lbs at speed. Second is they can often be fixed with materials you find along side the road. Lastly you will be told that parts are hard to find. There are many unadvertised sources of parts in the VCCA so membership is highly recommended.

Welcome
You coudn't have found a better place to find information.
Not to mention a great bunch of guys to help along the way as you restore your 28.

Looking forward to seeing your photos

Chris

Thanks for the warm welcome. After reading about a gazillion posts here I can tell you are a fine bunch. First at hand is to recuperate from the marathon trip to get the car yesterday and the nasty head cold I have. I just took some pics and will post soon.

Now that all of my kids have been by to see the car and tell me I am nuts, it's on the charger, since I kinda killed the battery keeping it running yesterday at "minus too freaking cold to do this stuff" outside. Unfortunately the car is missing all the tubing to keep the carb warm, so it was a real treat to drive.Everything else is intact.

I hope you read the post about the carb heater that one of the group made I thought it looked good

Thanks Andy. I took a look and the previous owner gave me one just like that all be it a bit rusty. He said he could not get it to fit, but his tool box was limited. I own a welder, etc. so we shall see. Mine also has a heat box over the exhaust manifold, but I have not taken a good look as yet. I don't have the original air filter either, so I will have to be creative.

Welcome shawng,it's great to have a fellow Canadian aboard. This site will be you're best friend & source of information.
I to have 30+ years experience and to tell you the truth I have found some things a little strange (primitive) on these 4 cylinder cars but it somehow works.And these guys here at VCCA have answers for just about any question you may have about your car.But to get full benefits from this club you should become a member.

I downloaded the application already. I will have to get stamps tomorrow as the wife used the last ones this weekend. Funny how they were on my shopping list, but I never got any. I really wish there was a place to sign up online. Oh well, this week for sure.

Welcome! I think there may be an air cleaner on Ebay right now and the hot air pipe isn't hard to get. When I went to Chickasha, Oklahoma pre war swapmeet last year I was flat floored how many 28 parts there were there. I think a 28 chevy may be one of the oldest cars you could drive everyday outside of one of those "F**d cars. I have a 28 1 ton truck I hope to have running this spring and my Dad has a real nice completly original,paint and all, 28 coupe. As far as working on something this old just remember a few things, They were still learning car building back then and some things need to be position marked when disassembling things. Don't just tear into something, get a service manual and parts book and don't be afraid to ask. There are a lot of people who know their stuff on here. Some things like the engine bearings have to be adjusted and hand fit, not like a more modern engine where you get pre fit precision bearings. All in all, though they are very simple. Oh yeah, don't rev the engine hard or run it too fast. some of those old rods could get bent. The engine has a long stroke and if you see the rods they will look pretty spindly from what you are used to.

When you start a restoration the first item you purchase is a digital camera, then an OM, a RP, and on and on.

I have a digital camera, I also got the original owner's manual and repair manual. As to restoration, it was for the most part done already. All I need to do is tinker. I was given an old heat box, but I am undecided if i should install or build from scratch. I am reluctant to cut into the new exhaust to install it. I could fabricate a similar one that can fit around the exhaust pipe and seal up just fine. I have all the tools to fabricate and it would be a fun project and justify my welder purchase last year.

Some pics:

Very good looking ride. Does the exhaust manifold have the heater cover on it? Is it Chevrolet or aftermarket? There is some information in the CSN (Chevrolet Service News) with a picture of the engine side of the firewall. You will need to cut the floorboard and worst of all, cut the rubber mat. You will need a vent door to shut off or turn on the hot air.

Remember that your better 1/2 will be riding on that side and even if the door (vent) is closed she will have very toasty feed and will be calling for you to shut it off and roll down the window. I suggest you drive the car for a while and see how hot it gets in the cabin. Also consider that your better 1/2 will be sitting directly above the muffler and behind the heat stove for the carburetor.

Thanks Ray. Oh so much to learn! The exhaust manifold has a shroud on it and a rectangular down tube that goes no place. It would appear the floor/firewall right behind it has been replaced and there is no port or ducting to the interior for heat. Considering we will only drive it in the summer, it is not a worry.

Where do I find the CSN?

Shawng,

Welcome board and Beautiful car! Would like to see more pictures of it. Where did you find it? There are many knowledgable people here willing to help. Most important part is to have fun.

Enjoy,
Gary

That is one pretty car! Good find! I wish my old truck looked that good but it spent about 60 years in a barn and well all I can say is is solid but still crusty looking with dirt/ dried mud from the 40s still on it. I can say Dads Coupe has a manifold heater like you have and it will flat run you out and I mean the last day I rode in it was very cold and it was also back in the early 70s when I was a squirt. There was a floor "register" like in a house, on the pass side that has a foot operated button that lets hot air in or shuts it off. If I get up that way soon I will get pictures of it but it is the original one, if some one else can post them before me go ahead. If I remember right there is a flexible metal tube like the hot air carb tube that feeds the heat from the manifold to the register. By they way, if you car sputters or misses just a tad bit ,It may be because of the hot air pipe on the carb. Nice looking ol buggy! (Dads original is in similar shape)

Welcome: You should be proud,great find. trooper

Thank you and for those who twisted my rubber arm, I sent off my application to join the VCCA last night.

I hope the pain was bearable. Many of us have taken the plunge and never regretted supporting the mission of the VCCA. It is part of U.S. automotive history and worth preservation.

There are several of us '28 owners that are active both on this site and driving our cars and trucks so information is available.

Another pic,

Hi Shawng
This is a great example of better years gone by.
This is a beauty, well worth it, Have you had an a appraisal done on the car???
I have the same car but is all apart for restoration, still have lots to do, and some parts to find.
I can't wait until its on the road.
I bought my car last year for $200.00, of an old fellow who lost intrest in it, he was going to give it to his kids, but they had no intrest, he tryed selling it but no takers, because it was all apart on pallets.
He held on to it for a couple years but could not find anyone who wanted it, so he slated it to be sent to the scap yard, (Shame on him).

So I saved it from an uncertain death, I tryed to get a hold of him to get some history on it, but he had passed away a few months later.
So I'm dedicating the resto in his honor, and will be sending his family photo's when the car is finished.
Keep in touch

Yes, i had an appraisal done last week, for what was supposed to be for insurance, but to my surprise, it is also required for registration in Ontario. And then you get to pay PST on the appraisal value. the guy that did it is a professional restorer and knew his stuff. He appraised the car at what I paid for it, $8500. In a few years, after a tidy up, I can always do it again to up the value. I am not in it for the money, but for the fun of it, so less to the province now and all is good.