VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 38 spring connections

Do both the brake and clutch return springs on a 38 sedan mount to the same hole in the engine support plate just above the rear engine mount? I have a "Z" shaped piece that I believe came from the engine side pan that has a hole through it that could be the mounting point for the brake return spring, however it would put the brake return spring under considerable tension. It is possible that the "Z" piece of metal could mount somewhere closer to the brake but I dont see where. A picture of this area from an original car would be fantastic!

Thanks,

Brian

Both springs hook to the ear of the left motor mount bracket on my '39.

Thanks. Here is the deal then. I have a 5/8" wide metal "Z" with two 5/16" diameter holes. The total length of the metal is only about 3" if flattened out. One of the holes is in the middle of the "Z" and the other is on the top part. The thing is somewhat less then 1/8 " thick. It looks like it had one of the engine pan bolts going through it due to wear on one side. There is a "W" stamped on the other side in the middle.

I had it in the package with the bolts for the drivers side engine pan. When I look at the old video I see where the other two bolts have the wire harness clips but I don't ever see the "Z" attached to the engine pan but that could be because it was under the steering box. If I put it under the steering box with one of the bolts that holds the engine pan, it looks like something should attach there.

Does your 39 have the drivers side engine pan and is there such a thing mounted with the pan bolt under the steering box?

Thanks again,

Brian

Brian, I reread the 1939 Enfineering Features book and took a better look at my '39.Having both springs connected to the motor mount bracket ear is incorrect.(thats the way they are on my car).The brake spring only is hooked there.The clutch spring is susposed to hook to a little guide for the hand brake rod.Its bolted to the crossmember -bolt going thru the very back end of the splash pan -securing the pan to the cross member.Its right under the rear motor mount.The '38 will be different as it has a floor mounted parking brake-but- the bracket must be in the same location though as the 1938 & 1939 clutch pull back springs are the same length.Would be about the same distance as the brake sping attaching hole-just down lower and slightly more to the left.

I gave the incorrect info. to Calmcar the other day.Didn't spend as much time looking as it was cold in the garage that day.

Now I have a little project to correct mine-when it gets warmer.The coils on the two springs do touch the way I have mine hooked up.

That makes sense. The hand brake has a stabilizing guide but it is on the passenger side of the car so the only place to attach the clutch spring is to this "Z" shaped thing. I'll attach it there and see how that works.

Thanks,

Brian

I put the "Z" shaped piece under the engine side mount and that looks best. There is a hole through the side pan and the removable frame cross member that is in the right location, just under the engine side mount. It looks good and the two springs are not anywhere near each other.

Brian

I will look at other '38's that I see in the next few months and let you know if they are different from that.