Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#474774 10/01/22 01:14 PM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 19
Grease Monkey
OP Offline
Grease Monkey
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 19
Hi folks. I just traded my money loosing 401k on a 38 master town car. Most everything seems original except the shifter which is straight, short and under the dash. I'll need to address that sometime. The car spent a good many years in the showroom of a local Chevy dealer until the dealer closed sometime in the 80's I believe. It was sold to an elderly man, garage kept and used in parades until he passed. Now it's mine. It came with the owners manual and some other documents. At the moment I just need to find out what kind of oil to use in the water pump. Looking forward to a Fall color ride.

Become a Member!

JOIN THE VCCA and get access to the member-only features of the forum, including the ability to upload photos. You'll also receive our monthly magazine "Generator & Distributor". Yearly membership as low as $25!

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
ChatMaster - 4,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
Congratulations on your new vehicle and welcome to VCCA Chat. There are lots of knowledgeable folks who can offer their guidance and advice.

I am a little confused with your question about oil for the water pump. Based on my knowledge and experience, the 1938 water pump is a sealed bearing design.

All 1938 Chevy cars had a floor mounted shifter that was directly on top of the transmission. Could you post a picture of your setup? In 1939 Chevy introduced a column shift option.

Soon after I bought my ‘37 I spent a lot of time surfing the internet looking at pictures of other ‘37 Chevy’s for sale. Those pictures were a great education and helped me realize how original my car was.


Rusty

VCCA #44680
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,034
Likes: 107
Hall Monitor
ChatMaster - 7,000
Online Content
Hall Monitor
ChatMaster - 7,000
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,034
Likes: 107
Early 38s came with an oil cup lubricated water pump. The manual says to use 20 weight motor oil. If you can't find 20 weight a modern 10W30 will do just fine. Modern oils are far superior to any oil of that era. Other than that I know very little about that pump. Others here will know much more and be able to help you. I own a mostly original 38 Business Coupe so I'll be able to help with some of your questions. I am confused by the shifter. If you could post pictures of your setup it would help us understand the issue. I would strongly recommend buying a reproduction Shop Manual from either The Filling Station or Chevs of the 40s. Please put technical questions in the appropriate technical forum below. Welcome to VCCA Chat! You'll find all the information you need here. wel2

https://store.fillingstation.com/moreinfo.htm

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/

Last edited by Tiny; 10/01/22 02:01 PM.

VCCA Member 43216
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
1938 HB Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699
Likes: 141
The early 1938s had a water uump bushing and an oiler. If you have one and it is a genuine Chevrolet pump you have the only one still around. They were not durable and most have been replaced.
The late 1938 had a sealed bearing water pump and replacement 1938 pumps sold thru parts were of the sealed type.


Gene Schneider
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
ChatMaster - 4,000
Offline
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,021
Likes: 99
Gene & Tiny,

Thanks for keeping me straight on the water pump evolution in the 1937 - 1938 engines. I knew there was an evolution but could not remember the timing.

I found the November 1937 Service Bulletin. It includes the new features on the 1938 models. It clearly states that the 1938 pump is still the oiler type water pump but it is 1/2" longer than the '37. My assessment is that the engineers were trying to improve pump bearing life by putting more distance between the bearings.

That change was obviously not successful. So the sealed bearing pump was introduced during the 1938 production year. As Gene noted it became the service replacement pump for both lengths the oiler type pumps. As I learned the hard way, you need to change the fan when you use the sealed bearing pump on a 1937 engine with the original shorter oiler type pump.


Rusty

VCCA #44680
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 4
Grease Monkey
Offline
Grease Monkey
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 4
Welcome


Link Copied to Clipboard
Support The VCCA!

Enjoy the forum? Become a VCCA member! The World's Best Chevrolet and GMC Club!


Member Photos
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS
by DreamChevy, February 17
My 1933 Chevy 2 Dr. Sedan
My 1933 Chevy 2 Dr. Sedan
by 1939Chevy1, November 24
Back on the road 79 years later
2 1927 Chevrolet Trucks
2 1927 Chevrolet Trucks
by 1927TRUCKS, June 7
Who's Online Now
4 members (Keith Knox, Tiny, THH, cufrcp), 86 guests, and 46 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
NeilA, Jayhicks, Tomvanhouten, Dads29Chevy, Tractorman
18,308 Registered Users
Today's Birthdays
aristech, RalphL, tonysk
Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics59,071
Posts429,066
Members18,308
Most Online1,133
Jan 22nd, 2020
 

Notice: Any comments posted herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the VCCA.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5