Why does Chevys of the Forties list a voltage regulator and a voltage reducer for my 38? I think, it's suppose to have a 4 prong voltage regulator right. I have been told that the correct voltage regulator is a 3 prong.

I have not reviewed the Chev of the 40’s listing. My observation is that as the original generation of people who started and ran the business leave there is growing knowledge gap. The accuracy of listings is declining especially for these older models.

The 1938 electrical system was a “hybrid”. It used a 3 brush generator to control the amperage output. It also had a 2 coil regulator. One coil is the cutout and the other controls voltage.

I will let the experts jump in on this next statement. I think that this system was used only one or two years. It was not long before Chevy went to a 2 brush generator and a 3 coil regulator.

I just looked on their on-line catalog and they do not list any voltage control for1938 and 1939 models,
The original 1938 voltage control had four wire terminals. The 1939 had three and was sold as a replacement for 1938 models. It is next to inpossible to find a four terminal 1938 volt control.
Also not too unusual to find a 1938 that has been converted to a later two brush generator and run a 1940 and up volt regulator.

Good luck in finding the 1938 four terminal voltage control THAT IS IN WORKING CONDITION.

Hi Gene I think I found a NOS 4 prong already. But you say that they came out with the 3 prong ones?

YES, if you bought a new regulator for a 1938 in 1939 you would get a 3 and instructions to cut ff the battery wire and tape the ends.......

Okay thanks Gene that helps a lot. What I should be looking for is a 3 prong one. Thanks again!

Look on Ebay for the attached unit as it was the replacement for the 1938. They are regularly listed and come with the instructions to tape off the 4h wire.

Thanks Tim. I found a 3 pronged one that I am going to use.