VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 new member, '32 5 window coupe help

I recently became the luckiest kid alive! I inherited a complete 1932 5 window coupe from my grandmother! Although I am unable to completely restore her for about another year and a half, I would really like to get the motor running because its something that she would love to see. The only problem is, ive never worked on anything this old. The motor that is currently in the car is a straight six out of a '31. After some mystery oil in through the plug holes, the motor spun free with no effort. Im just curious if theres anything else in particular that i should look at or check that im not used to...any help would be greatly appreciated. I have very little knowledge on the older ignition styles or anything like that. thank you

This topic covered generously in several previous topics, a search may bring them up if you are a member.
How do you know engine is a '31? Is carb a '31 (updraft versus downdraft for '32). Block will have a casting date on side a code in letters and #'s like 16 H 1 meaning 16th August 1931. Since engines for 1932 models were begun manufacture in September 1931, a stamping of 1 I 31 (1st Sept 1931) could be a '32 Block.

Welcome to the VCCA!! I am sure you will find the folks here of great help. Be sure to change the oil, check your gas and water/coolant. My 32 cranked right up after cleaning the tank and replacing the fuel pump. In addition, I changed all the hoses and replaced the water pump. Be sure to note that it has a 6.0 volt, negative ground system and will need large cables to work properly as well as a good battery. Good luck and you are indeed a lucky fellow.

You might want to check the points to be sure they are clean and opening & closing. I towed a car home one time and all it took to get in running was cleaning the points.

VERY COOL!

Well, since you apparently have it spinning free, I would start off by changing the oil. Remove the rocker arm cover, remove the spark plugs also. It won't hurt to squirt some more oil in the cylinders and the rocker shafts. Crank it over by hand, slowly.... Make sure you are keeping an eye on the rocker arms, making sure everyone is moving. Once everything looks good and you see no stuck valves, you can hook a good battery up, leaving the spark plugs out still. Spin the engine over briefly with the battery checking to see if you have oil pressure. If you see oil pressure, it's time to get ready to start it.

Check out the info on this page. http://1931chevrolet.com/specs7index.htm
It will give you the basics of what you need to check the ignition points, etc. If you don't have a tach/dwell meter, I would suggest you get one along with a set of feeler guages. If the feeler guages don't come with a file, you can use a nail file to clean up the points. Once you have the ignition cleaned up including checking the plugs and making sure the gap is correct, you should be almost ready to start it up.

Instead of running off of the original fuel tank, you can disconnect the line from the tank to the fuel pump and insert a section of fuel line into a gas can for a temporary gas tank. Give it a shot, should run now. Remember, it has been sitting for a while and you might see some leaks. ANY FUEL LEAKS, SHUT IT DOWN. KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLOSE BY. SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT...

Hello Jaybird129,
There is a very good post by Chip responding to Vetteman61's engine starting post titled "Starting an engine for the first time". If you are able to do a search, select Advanced. Select-Chevrolet 1912-1942-Technical. Keyword- starting an engine for the first time. Display name search- Chip. Date range- Newer than 5 years, Older than 3 years. Submit--- Chip's posts appear, select the post made 03/09/10 at 06:37 am. The post number is 167436.

Hello Jaybird129 and welcome to the VCCA Chat !! I am Jay32249 and am owned by a 31 Coach ! You have found the right place for ALL the questions you may have about that there Chevy!! By the way---congrats man! If you have not joined the VCCA yet,I would HIGHLY ADVISE you do that ASAP! The cost is so minimal and the wealth of information is just unbelieveable!! Combined,these fine people have about a thousand years of info to gladly share with you !! Best move I made when aquiring my 31....
The info you have recieved so far should get you started just fine..
I drained ALL fluids from mine in the begining---tranny,engine oil,differential,radiator,everything---get all that old stuff to gone,flush out the old and in with some new....
ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS---the answers will come to you!! Best of luck with your new hobby!! Jay32249

Jaybird129, incase you can't get to the thread Harrys31coach told you about in his above post, here is a link to it https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/167436#Post167436

Welcome to the Chatter and, let us know how it goes. Bill

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it! I'm really looking forward to this! Those threads will certainly be helpful.