VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 master front spring mounting holes ,help pls.

Converting 38 MD knee action to Master straight front axle.. need help photos and measurements for the two spring perch mounting holes on each frame bottom. my frame has no holes drilled..would like to get the perches in correct location....thanks much,,Spencer

Do you have the specifications sheets for the 1938? There is a diagram showing the spring mounting and the shackle at the rear is slanted in about 15 degrees at the top. This is with the spring completely flat. Also I think the wheel base is given as 112 1/4".

I have a couple of Chev repair manuals 8-1/2 x11" for 38 ,but I do not see any spring mounting info...specification sheet,is that an after market info from the 40's ?...sc

GM has a multi page document entitled 1938 Chevrolet Specifications. I got mine with my restoration pack from them. I believe you can download them from the GM heritage site. I can scan the diagram and send it to you by email if you like.

I can take some pictures and measurements of my front end over the next few days and email you.

My car is Canadian so there are some front end differences but the spring locations and detailing should be the same but may give you an idea of the extent of the work involved.

Remember yo can not merely bolt these items through the frame rails. If you do the boxed rail will just collapse when the bolts are tightened as the metal is not that heavy. The Chevrolet change over kit came with spacers that fit inside of the rails to prevent collapsing.

Great news ..any emails pictures and or measurements much appreciated..my email is bigpine55@gmail.com ...Yes I know about the frame spacers,I think I will use water pipe cut to fit..It is important to get spring perches correct or spring won't do its job correctly etc..I worked on the knee action but too much trouble also getting oil on my new tires,but it does take the bumps very well..sc big pine Ca.

Still info on mounting holes on frame for 1938 master, anyone have an old frame to measure ? or photos..specification book I saw for 38 shows nothing.. sc

GOOD NEWS....................
I just found my copies of the instructions for converting knee-action cars to conventional suspension.
I can make copies and mail then to you. There is about a dozen pages with text and many pictures. Or I can scan the pictures and email them.
All at no charge if you consider joining the VCCA.

Was your wife a librarian Gene? Your office should be declared a museum or historic archive I think. Certainly should be insured and duplicated by VCCA...

I'll try to get some pictures today. I've only been home during the dark this week and chassis pictures turn out crappy without real daylight.

I never ceased to be amazed at what Gene can come up with on just about any detail of these beloved old Chevies.

ThANK yOU ALL FOR THE KIND Words.
Tim, PICTURES OF YOUR 1938 (PONTIAC) may confuse the issue due to the many differences of the more refined version used on the Canadian Pontiacs that were based on Chevrolet platforms (like the kick shackle).
I would want to use the tube type double acting shocks like Chevrolet did in 1939 and 1940 if I were doing the project.

I should add that many of my books and parts catalogs are falling apart from old age and over use. Hope they will last for the few more years that I hpoe to enjoy on earth with Chevrolets.

OK, I took some pictures and will email them later. Gene, I focused on just the spring mounts and avoided the kick shackle side.

I do have a question: There has been continual mentioning of having to reinforce the frame for the shackle to pass through I believe? My springs, both front and rear have a cast perch riveted to the bottom of the frame at each shackle location. The shackle then mounts/passes through this cast perch. Nothing passes THROUGH my frame anywhere. Another Canadian only "feature" of additional ground clearance so we could offroad to our igloos?

In reviewing the instructions it is the shock mounting bols.attachment that it pertains to.
Another reason I would opt for the direct acting air plane type tube shocks. (that hoe they were refered to in the olden days)
The other thing I noticed is the conversion kit came with the correct front cross member.
There again, if it were my car I would bite the bullet and have the ogininal Dubonnet knee-action units rebuilt.
By the time you get done with the conversion you will have almost the same amount of money invested and a car that drives like a charm.

Bigpine I've sent you some pictures...

I just joined VCCA member #52751 1st class postage.. thanks all for help on front spring convert.I also will be needing help on changing out 4:22 to 3:73 rear axle.sc

I have the changeover instructions scaned and in my files if anyone else is doing the job.