Re: 1937 Super 8

Posted by Ed Boersma On 2022/12/4 1:30:37

The Super Eight was delivered, and enjoyed for a couple of days.

About twenty miles into its first drive, the steel line in the external oil manifold sprung a leak and emptied the crankcase over the road. Took the car to my shop, removed the manifold, welded up a pin hole on the bottom of the line, and refilled 8 quarts of oil. Started and idled fine, good oil pressure, but had a definite knock under any load. Pulled the pan and #8 rod cap, and found the babbit material in the cap in 'crumbles'. I am told this indicates that oil got between the bearing and the cap because of a failed bearing restoration.

While we were under the car checking other rods and mains, antifreeze kept dripping from one of the cylinders. I was told by a local restoration shop that the Super 8 was a good engine, but that it had a reputation for cracked cylinders. Sleeves could be a fix, but machining technique was critical for success.

The engine was rebuilt 5-6 years ago, and according to the work order had 8 new pistons with rings, 6 re-manufactured rods, and 4 sleeves installed. That is not a misprint! According to the daughter of the (deceased) previous owner, the car had less than 20 miles since it was assembled.

I am convinced there was no malice on the sellers part, and that her father would have met the same fate with the car. It is what it is!

I bought the car to be a nice stock Sunday cruiser. It is a very good looking driver with original interior; it is not museum quality.

I do not have the time or money to invest in rebuilding the engine. I plan to replace the complete drivetrain with a V-8 (NON Chev..!), automatic trans, and rear end with highway gears. The conversion will be done such that it can be returned to original without a trace.

I had no intention to do this, but I need it up and running (within my budget) by next spring.

Thanks!