Is The Engine Seized In Our 1938 Ford Convertible - First Wash!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- The big mystery of the 1938 Ford Convertible is if the drivetrain is salvageable. When pulling the car from the garage we could not get the transmission out of gear and we had to drag the car the whole way. Matt and Steve's first goal is to see what is keeping the transmission from shifting, and if the rear will spin. Once that is all working, we can check to see if the Pontiac engine is seized, and give the 38 its first wash!!
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Hi Matt! Back in the day, they actually called those added rods, arms, "Traction Masters" supposed to prevent leaf spring wind up, and wheel hop. Hanging around the drive in back in the early 60's that was like the mark of cool to see the guys grab second, and them "flex" their Traction Masters when leaving. Hot rodding was super sketchy back then, with the early chassis, and suspensions. A lot of them with unboxed frames, but a V8 slapped in them. My 34 coupe was one of those death traps, had a J2 Olds in it, Cad-LaSalle 3 speed, early Ford (40-41?) truck rear. Not owned by me then, I was just a kid who dug hot rods. My 34 and another guy had a Model A with a SBC that were considered the hot ones. You'd see the frames twist when they'd come off a light, carrying the left front wheel. Your convertible would have looked right at home in that crowd! Great stuff as always!
Yes, Traction Masters for sure. I believe they were an L A company from the '50's. We all ran them back in the day.
Traction Master was a brand of real deal proper traction bars, and those ain't them. The Top-shelf mechanics that added that rear went a liitle 'long' on the wheelbase not centered in the fenderwell.. but Love the retro home HotRod style !
@@PepeofCalif I'd say those are Traction Master bars just cobbed up to fit on the 38. A friend had two 65 Shelby's one had the over rides and one had the under rides. That electric fuel pump was also used on early Cobras and R model Shelbys.
Thanks for the education today gentlemen!
Hey Matt, this car has a lot of potential it is rare and in fine shape to make a great traditional style hot rod. You have been an advocate of keeping these cars history and originality intact. i think the 389 Pontiac should remain if it is rebuildable and the mistakes fixed on the chassis.
1) Keep the Pontiac and existing trans. It's very cool that they didn't have to hack the center of the X member out of the frame to get it in there. 2) Either get a tri-5 rear with the uncommon "P" posi center section and mount it with a wish bone and buggy spring OR use a banjo rear with a 9" axle conversion mounted with a wish bone and buggy spring. Either way will maintain the intent of a traction bar setup that the original builder had in mind. 3) You gotta do the white running boards!!
I like the vintage Hotrodder bit, they had no brand loyalty, it was all about going faster and often loudly. The 389, if you could get it going again, would be awesome. I like the idea of honoring the original builder. But agreewith you that the rear end looks awful
That's a classic backyard build from the 60's & would have had a reputation on the streets in it's day. There's a whole lot of hot rodding that deserves saving. Back in the late 60's I bought a 38 Chevy coupe with a 302 Jimmy that had 6" hard wood lowering blocks in the back, Worked just fine!🤓
Doing what you love and having a laugh whilst doing it, that's perfect way to cruise through life. What dreams are made of
Oh man, does that ever bring back a lot of memories. That is the way it was done back in the early 1960s. I really hope the Pontiac engine is salvageable. It is period-correct for the car and is actually a great hot rod engine. The traction bars look right at home along with all the flex-pipe. Yeah, it rusted out almost immediately back then too. Love the whitewalls.... :D
One cool peace of history, go for keeping the 389 better 3 speed, rear end relocation - I agree is a must.
You're right about "small victories" when you clean up a car and it starts to look better. It helps your car hobby morale. It's how I felt when I cleaned out the endless nut husks and dirt from the interior of my 48 Super Deluxe Ford. Rhodents had called it home for a long time. Glad you're wearing masks when you cleaned out the unterior.
That one is the real example of whatever it took for the Friday night cruise. Amazing how engine, trans and rear parts were inter changed back then.
What a survivor! I really like how the interior cleaned up. Great car, looking forward to seeing what you guys do with it.
Wonderful looking car. At that time, the Depression was still bad- unemployment jumped to 19% in 1938 but some lucky folk could indulge in this beautiful creation.
Love yourr finds, very cool.
Redo the rear suspension an center the wheel in the wheelopening. Then make it roadworthy with the Pontiac engine.
I say try to make the 389 and existing drivetrain work but rework that traction bar rear suspension so it is safe and sits right. Make the original builder’s vision come through properly!
You asked what I would do if this was mine: Convert it back to a Ford transverse leaf spring with split radius rods, and keep the later Ford rear. Try to get the Poncho motor running, that's a cool swap.
Really a solid car and worth doing whatever it takes to make it streetable. I'm at that same point on a 1935 roadster with a 55 corvette engine. I guess we'll see what happens.
That Campbell's soup can in the exhaust made my day.
So good
Those look like home made version of cal tracks. Which work very well for traction. I bet that old car moved pretty good with that 389 Poncho. What a time capsule! If it were mine, I’d clean it up, make it run and drive and leave it just the way it is.
The Pontiac setup is cool, but such a beautiful Ford should have a Ford engine IMO. Even tho it was hot rodded in the day, you have the knowledge and the stash to make a better hot rod. The interior is cool, so definitely keep it if possible. Listen to the car, honor the history, but make it yours. Have fun with her. A convertible 39 is a keeper. Cool car Matt!
Save the Pontiac motor if you can, re mount/ redo the rear axle brackets, in the 60s or 70s jacking the rear end up was kool, no body repaints cars, that metallic blue is a kool color, and a white top and running boards would really do the trick😊
Hey Matt! The car looks great. Cleaned up pretty good. I think it would be cool if the 389 could be saved. I had one back in the day (in 66 GTO) ran great with much power. The rear end is definitely a bit weird but know you will fix/correct. Very cool hot rod with good bones.
That interior is surprisingly well preserved as is the body considering where is was sitting for the last 50 years. I am looking forward to how you proceed in making it "perfectly shitty"
That`s a cool car and I look forward to seeing more of it on the channel! I would like to see you fully restore it and make it a hot rod with a flathead.
Still own a 32 Ford roadster, Pontiac V8 with 6 carbs, it's a giant old plastic Monogram model though. Growing up, based on that alone, I always thought stuffing a Pontiac in an old Ford roadster must have been a thing, so cool to see it in real life.
When I was in high school, a buddy of mine had a 61 Studebaker Lark with a 389 Pontiac in it. That thing was scary fast. Love those old Pontiac V8s. My dream car would be a 49 to 51 Pontiac Silver Streak fastback with a later Pontiac V8 in it. (or one of the big GMC straight sixes). Also, I've patched up old exhaust pipes with bean cans myself until I could get a proper repair done. It works for a temporary fix.
The Pontiac was one of the most dependable and buildable motors out there- a torquey mo-fo and really no weaknesses except in the large journal motors. I'm with you on the Silver Streak - we were a Pontiac family, and I have a picture of my dad, grandad and uncles standing next to a row of five '48 to '51 Pontiacs - and my hot rod uncle had the streamliner. Love those cars!
Very scary underneath. Fuel pump could easily be ripped off in that location. Should be a nice rebuild though!
I know I am a hopeless GM guy and I own two 65 cars with 389 engines. I speak out of experience that the 389 is a great, powerful and reliable engine. It would be a shame changing the engine with anything but a Pontiac 389. I think the most important thing is to make the suspension and brake system less sketchy. Maybe you can save the 389. But you could easily find another one. Those from the Midsixties are real powerhouses.
I like the way how the red an blue Looks together
If it were mine I would try to get the 389 to unstick and run. Probably install a 4 speed and rebuild the rear suspension and upgrade the rear end. Eventually do body work and repaint with the same metallic blue. Also have a new convertible top made and then drive the Pennsylvania country side.😊 AL B.
Good stuff. Man, that cleaned up real nice. 😊
Thank you Matt and Steve for the update on the 38 Ford Hot Rod !
Hey Matt with your stash of parts you could probably bring it back to original shape. Good luck with this classic.👍👍
Fix the rear end so it’s sitting in the right position first, put in some gussets for support, put new beads on all that stuff that’s barely welded together, grind it down smooth, patch everything that needs it, Por-15 the undercarriage and floor, get some chrome Cadillac hubcaps, finish the front end with navy blue, like the rear of the car with some Brittany blue scallops on the hood and front fenders outlined with a white pinstripe, put that flat head in there, polish it up real nice, cheap headers with 12 inch glass packs with 2.5 inch pipes ending flush with the rear bumper, steel wool and polish All the chrome, apply all the trim and drive that SOB. Oh and redo the top white to match the white on the upholstery. 💯
You asked for thoughts, I do like the color and the interior. Since you're really into that era I'd follow the theme and make it look like it just rolled out of a late 50s California high school parking lot. Save the motor if you can. Mine's a 57 347 and a beast.
I think you should repaint and work on everything it needs because its very cool. I love it. Keep on scrubing the seats they are not too bad.
How many “that looks scary” equals “this isn’t so bad”??!!👍😂🤣👍
I hope that wasn't your good toothbrush you used to clean the door panel. 🤣👍
That top blue looked great in the sunshine when it was wet. The upholstery looked kind of space age when you cleaned it. You'll not have any trouble pulling in that wagon!
Hey. Flathead is definitely the way to go. Perhaps like a 59ab, or something similar. Love the content.
I'd stay with the 389 if it were me. The car is already set up for it and if the one that's in it is junk, good ones aren't too hard to find. Performance parts (cam kits, tri power set ups, etc.) are also available for them. When those engines are dialed in right, they're a real power house. When I was in high school I had a '62 Catalina 2 dr hardtop with a 389, mild cam and a tri power with progressive linkage. Finally went with a Borg Warner T-10 close ratio 4 speed after I broke two of the factory Muncie's. Even for a big heavy car like that, it was still nasty fast. Wish I had it today, it would be worth a few bucks.
Interesting with lots of opportunities. Don't rush. Let the car, history and period do the talking.
Get another pontiac motor for it keep it as it was found like the forgotten hod rod. This car deserves that
Dang, a 389?! that thing must've ruled the streets back in its heyday!
Take a bit of sketchiness out here and there, see about repositioning the rear, clean things up, but keep her mostly as-is and let her rip again! Let someone else "ruin" it back to stock.
Great video Matt! It was fun watching the team work on the old Ford, the '59 Pontiac engine could be a good engine to stay incase it finally breaks loose, if you ultimately decide to put a Flathead back in it, the world's your oyster!
I'm curious, is the side glass in the doors along with the regulators because I didn't see you guys rolling them up?
If you could get the engine un stuck I’d keep it in there but the rear I would pull and re install after some safety improvements!😂🤣
That's totally awesome
How this 1938 is built
It's a nice looking Hot Rod with some TLC , some work it will look and sound awesome again !
I agree with you Matt about the last color of blue looks nice ! I think paint it that color and go back with white running boards ! That way it blends with the interior !
Hey Matt, I’m so happy to hear that you plan on keeping the 38 I am in love with this car. Looking forward to watching you guys bring it back to life. Post pictures. Very cool 😎. Thanks
Love the color of it after you washed it.😊😊
Hey Matt, awesome find on this one. I think it is screaming for a flat head in it, especially with a 3 carb intake on it. Was that your dad I seen checking it out? And did he not go to Florida this year? Thanks for another great video.
With the amount of parts inventory you have, it would make the most sense to install a 39-40 rear axle and suspension with a '39 trans and a nice 8BA with twin carbs.You could do the whole job with parts on hand. This job was a '50s-'60s era build and the workmanship is sketchy to say the least. Retro-ing it back to a '40s era hotrod would fit it right into the Iron Trap niche with the least amount of effort and expense. Fortunately, the frame wasn't chopped up too badly. Please paint this one!
Just something to think about, rebuild the 389, and tear that messed up rear end setup out and replace it with a early 60's Ford Truck rear end springs and all. You can take a few of the spring leaf's out to lower the rear , still going to ride good and have the same early Ford bolt pattern as the front.
Love it! Put a flathead in it
Morning Matt & Steve, back in the 1970's there was a guy that had a 34-35 Ford Coupe with a 327-365 vette motor...I was told it was a wheel yanker!!
The 389 is big, and for the period relatively "hot", but out of a big boat Catalina, for example, could very well benefit from a cam and intake manifold/carb change. It's still possible with vintage parts - just a step up from the High School parking lot.
The Ponty's are gone - and if people like you don't perpetuate them, who will?
Living organism? More like. it's own ECOSYSTEM!! HAHA! Done this many many times myself.
Nice work so far, chaps! Looking forward to seeing how things develop. Maybe a flathead in the engine bay?
Beautiful solid car! And that classis naugahyde upholstery definitely has more life in it after you replace some of the stuffing that the mice stole! The rear suspension is too flakey to keep on the car - maybe take it out and install it on an old frame rear as a man-cave wall hanger? But keep the rear - it looks like an old Olds or Pontiac rear (9.3) and that's what we used to hunt for when we had a Hi-Po motor swap. I don't know if anyone mounted them to a traverse suspension, but you should be able to find some clean leaf springs and perches to do up right. If you're going with another flattie, I'd just install a '38 - '40 rear and do your drop spring magic. But since it did have an OHV motor swap, this might be a good place for one of your GM engines - Caddy, Olds or nailhead. But that poncho engine is a beast if it's recoverable. Got any Tri-power manifolds in your stash? 😁 This will be another great project to watch - I'm glad you have a '38 now (one of my favorites) and a convertible to boot! Maybe figure out how to a sporty chop to that convertible frame to go with your lowering. . .
Wow that’s awesome except for the sketchy parts. Can’t wait for the next episodes. My car has the same hydraulic clutch and brake setup but with a 39 trans. Would be cool to see what you guys do with that. Also thanks for adding some more details in your videos!
Always enjoy the car builds . 👍❤
Good morning Matt and I hope you all have a great day and wonderful weekend.
LOVE WATCHIN' THIS STUFF!
Lot of engine for that little Chevy 3 speed that are not known for durability ,broke a few way back in the day .Lot of guys would replace them with the Saganaw 3 speed which I think Pontiac used behind that engine .
Needs lowering and skirts and a Carson top that would be awesome
What an engineering master piece that chassis is!!!
Find another chassis and just leave that masterpiece, engine and all,as how rodding was realy done in the day
Here’s a thought….. since you have a another lift now, maybe put in a pad outside the shop off to the side where you guys can roll the crusty ones onto and give the undersides a good washing down too. That ‘38 is cleaning up pretty well and I bet Steve would LOVE to not have mummified raccoon poo in his hands/hair…
Keep it original but bring it into 2023 -24 with new chassis,bagged & brakes wheels with new electrical & convertible top.Its a keeper brother...greetings from sth Australia 🇦🇺 👍 🦘🐪🪃
I hope you keep it and make it right. Will make an awesome build series.
IV used a big flat screwdriver 🪛 against the ring gear... some mystery oil in the cylinders just prying back and forth.. after a little while..the slightest moment.. a little more each time I changed directions.. i had it running in an hour.. Chevy V8 ran.. perfect. Also did this on a 42 caddy unfortunately it had water in one cycle so needs rebuilt.. but it still came free
Good call
weight and balance is always an issue with these old cars. I believe the old pontiac is around 150 lbs heavier than a small block chevy engine. The flatty or a small block would give the car back its original handling along with a trunk mounted battery and would unstress the frame, If it were mine I would install the best LS engine I could afford,
Man, what a great car! Keeper all day. Slam that baby, and it wont even mater what motor or drive train you put in it. I am drooling over this car. Glad you saved it, and even better taking us along for the ride. You must be every hotrodders best friend, Ha ha.
Thanks for another , Brother !
Yup, teens with part time job bux in dads poorly lit unheated garage with oil soaked dirt floor. If you couldn't get yer foot through it was close enough. Probably built the entire car for $75 not counting 3 more broken transmissions. That car was some fun times.
I hope you take your sweet time freeing up that 389. Have seen some really stuck youtube vids that took weeks to free up put did run eventually. Get it running and see from there. Change the rear at least to look good. That will be a great build
Dude!!! Biff's hot rod!! from the 50's!!??lol!!✌️
Well if it were mine, I'd try my best to get that 389 going. It would be fast, so fast in fact that I believe I could blow up the rear end or transmission within a week. That rear suspension needs some revamping, so tear it up and replace it with something better.
I've had great success with
Mixed 50/50 nail polish remover and ATF to free locked engines and bolts
The real problem seems to be the sketchy rear-end. It will be a "job" to get so it sits right... I'm not a hot rodder..per se, While I think this will look "Rad" I would prefer as close to original as posssible.. ie put the flat head in... very curious how or what will be done with/for the convertible to... I Love Convertibles!!
Man that's a good looking hot rod
If I own the car, I’d take that pony engine out and put a 302 in it and a four drive train C4 transformation along with the 9 inch ran. I look forward to seeing what you guys do with this old Ride is pretty cool that would make a great show.
If it were mine and I had the stash of parts you have. I would tear our the running gear (motor, trans and rear end along with rear suspension) weld in an original rear crossmember in then put a warmed over flathead, 39 trans and quick change reared. Sort the brakes, pedals and wiring. Fix the rotten bits and few dents then just primer them put the right windscreen then drive it until it tells you what paint belongs on it.
Alternatively put it all in gray primer with satin clear coat and please NO whitewalls.
See what its going to take to get that BOP 389 back!
Pontiac 389. Buick and Olds had their own engines.
That car is solid! Hope you lubbed those cylinders before rocking it.
Clean up well Nice project
Matt, I'm not going to tell you how to build your cars. You have plenty of ideas in your head. That interior was really nice back when and the white running boards with a nice blue paint job should have been a really sharp car. The 389 must've made it really move out. They probably used a driveshaft closest in length what they could find which is why the wheels aren't centered. Thought dad would be in Florida by now.
This thing is going to be cool with that 331 in it!
Hey Matt..... interesting project you have... I'm sure you have in your head how you want to proceed... So it's not cool to out think you... For me .. I would remove that stuck motor and crazy rear and return it to stock .... it's money in the bank.... stay cool..
Picture a 1939 Ford deluxe coupe running boards still on it open the hood there's a Oldsmobile rocket 88 engine with three deuces on top add a b&m trany milk crate to sit on for a char to sit on. I know I did it. drove it.
no, no, no, no, no! don't swap out the 389. i love those engines. get a 4 speed for it. the rear rake was popular in the day.
It's a convertible that's a plus. If your going to keep it pull the body off the chassis and go from there.
Make it stop and steer; looks like the spring hangers have to go anyway so “I’d” try to keep the rear, just suspend it more the way it was when the car was new. If the 389 can be saved, do so but if it needs a replacement, anything period correct would be cool; caddy, olds etc. But you could never go wrong with a hot flathead!
I have a '40 tudor which was an abandoned project. It came to me with parallel leaf springs and a GM 10 bolt rear installed by the previous owner. He used a kit made by Chassis Engineering. The parts are very stout (bolt in) and the car sits right. Might be an option for you. Why reinvent the wheel.
I may or may not have used the old soup can exhaust patch system once or twice in my youth!! lol
Whatever it takes to get out and cruising!
Interesting project to some extent.
Looks like Washington Blue originally.
nothing wrong with a braised joint if done well! Looks like the treat is too far back
I like the idea of keepin the Poncho motor, if it doesnt take a lot of money to get it running
Seeing as the suspension needs a full rethink, I'd slam it. Add widened whiteartillery wheels with 41 caps.. Either get the Pontiac going or change to a big cube Y block. T5 trans so it will sit on 70mph all day. Match the metallic blue but do it in satin. Clean the hell out of the interior and cruise it rain, hail or shine.