Re: 1938 39 SUPER 8 CLUB SEDAN BARN FIND

Posted by flackmaster On 2012/9/6 14:37:13

Oh c'mon guys...its not like its some secret; I didn't think it worth the time to rehash. The blocks on 38 Super 8's are cracked, will crack or have attempted repairs on cracks and will crack again. Couple factors in play, first and foremost the through section of the upper portion of the block was thinner in 38. Result is cracks around valve seats, in between valve seats, to water jacket holes and to cylinder walls. Period, game over. Anybody that tells you they have a 38 block that is just fine is either looking at it as a piece of garage art, or does not drive their car. And that ignores the trash original aluminum cylinder heads, most, if not all, long since replaced as they deteriorated as fast as a mid-fiftier Chrysler rusted, or the argument about early and late versions of '38 blocks. Would you '37 and '38 Super 8 owners PLEASE read the service notes regarding using '39 Super 8 heads with better water flow....or replacing with a 288/327 per factory instructions like the '37 Su8 that surfaced recently, on ebait I think.

And Don, my involvement with your '38 ended exactly as discussed - the guy you bought it from contacted me a while back looking for a few things, you know, like some headlight stuff, a door handle and, umm...yeah, the engine. I passed on the car without an engine, but did buy "an" engine from Duckett's estate that was alleged to have been for your car. Twasn't. I was thrilled when you bought the car to put on your twelve chassis. Thrilled. Bravo!

And back to this thread, the car originated in New Orleans, non-running project, and went to White Post Restorations in the '80's and languished there for years due to non-payment of fees. Subsequently sold via a mechanics lien to current family and has been hibernating for about the last 10 years with little more done to it. I am considering buying it, but am concerned about the condition of.....the block! I have now confirmed it has a '38 engine in it and it appear to have had the head off it, but further details are becoming difficult to clarify. I will look at it in about a week with my truck and trailer at ready.