1938 Plymouth Sedan

[keithb7 1,363]

 

[keithb7 1,363]

Engine block was sent to machine shop. It was boiled and crack checked. Passed! Good to go. Now I am awaiting engine parts to arrive. I ordered everything from Vintage Power Wagons. 
 

While I am layed up waiting for engine parts, I took the rad nose cone off. I also pulled my Gemmer steering gearbox for overhaul. Parts for it have also been ordered. New bearings, seals, shims, gaskets. 
 

 

 

 

Edited January 3 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[keithb7 1,363]

After some research I was able to determine that there was good chance that the Gemmer steerting gearbox in my 38 Plymouth, would contain the same parts used in a same period Ford. 

The housings and design of the Ford and Plymouth Gemmer steering gearboxes are likely different, however I estimated, "Why would the same company redesign all the internal wearing parts?" 

Indeed they did not redesign all the internal parts. I ordered my Plymouth steering gears parts from an old Ford cars parts business. The bearings are Timken so good quality. The company I bought from had good selection and photos for every part. Between my Hollander Interchange and my 6th edition Motors manual, plus having my gear box apart, I was able to nail it all down. I rolled the dice and ordered the parts. They arrived here in Canada, shipped from California, in only 2 days. The pricing was better than anything I'd seen on Ebay. Or any of the Mopar suppliers. I feel like I got good quality parts, great selection, good prices, and reasonable freight costs.  Do your homework folks. Check the parts out here:  https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/selecttitle.php?c=1&s=7&g=64

 

Comparing the new parts that arrived, I think I have a perfect fit! 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[Jeff Perkins / Mn 635]

38 minutes ago, keithb7 said:

After some research I was able to determine that there was good chance that the Gemmer steerting gearbox in my 38 Plymouth, would contain the same parts used in a same period Ford. 

The housings and design of the Ford and Plymouth Gemmer steering gearboxes are likely different, however I estimated, "Why would the same company redesign all the internal wearing parts?" 

Indeed they did not redesign all the internal parts. I ordered my Plymouth steering gears parts from an old Ford cars parts business. The bearings are Timken so good quality. The company I bought from had good selection and photos for every part. Between my Hollander Interchange and my 6th edition Motors manual, plus having my gear box apart, I was able to nail it all down. I rolled the dice and ordered the parts. They arrived here in Canada, shipped from California, in only 2 days. The pricing was better than anything I'd seen on Ebay. Or any of the Mopar suppliers. I feel like I got good quality parts, great selection, good prices, and reasonable freight costs.  Do your homework folks. Check the parts out here:  https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/selecttitle.php?c=1&s=7&g=64

 

Comparing the new parts that arrived, I think I have a perfect fit! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smart shopping Keith. I have done the same in the past. 
I needed a gas gauge float for my 1948 Packard, $23 in the catalog. I found in an interchange manual the dimensionally identical float (brass) for an early Mustang. $5! Always good to save $$ when you can so you can spend them when you want.

[keithb7 1,363]

Today I put some quality time into the rad nose cone. Grinding and drilling out very rusty, seized 83 year old hardware. Got it all out! 
 

Using a hammer and dolly I beat old damage straight again. It should be a lot easier to reinstall hopefully. 

 

 

Edited January 16 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[keithb7 1,363]

Yet another Sunday afternoon in the shop with my '38...I sure enjoy being able to do this.

 

 

[keithb7 1,363]

Well its Feb 25 today. As she lays in my garage, can be seen in the pic below. I’m still waiting for engine rebuild parts to arrive. I won’t take my block to the machine shop until I have all of my needed rebuild parts. Parts all shipped today. Hopefully within 2-3 weeks I be taking the block, crank and head to the machine shop. 
 

Its been a fairly long boring winter waiting for parts. I’ve been reluctant to tear more things apart while I wait for my engine parts. I don’t want to end up with a large pile of metal that needs 6 plus months of reassembly. 
 

I’ve thought about all the cosmetic things  I could be doing while the engine is out. Really doll the engine compartment up. I could. Yet something picks at my conscience about the original old car look. Looking like it has been driven daily for 80 plus years. Like it may have come just from the farm. I don’t know why, but there’s something oddly attractive about the car’s worn look to me. Building a reliable daily driver that looks worn and tired is attractive to me too. 
 

We shall make progress soon. I am getting excited for the new 237 ci Desoto power plant. 3 7/16” bore x 4 ¼” stroke. 
 

 

Edited February 26 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[keithb7 1,363]

Block and parts sent to the machine shop about 2 weeks ago. Waiting...In the mean time I continue to tinker away at more projects. A little update here:

 

 

 

 

 

[keithb7 1,363]

2 more weeks at the machine shop they tell me. Then I can take it home and start reassembly.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 19 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[keithb7 1,363]

Today I rounded up some steel and hardware. I went to see my hobby-machinist friend. We tag-teamed a bit to build this con-rod vise. It should allow me to install, torque and crush the rod bearings. Then measure bearing to crank journal clearances. Fairly accurately I think. Better than plasti-gauge I think?
 

It was a fun project. Bonus working with my buddy too. 
 

All for the ‘38!
 

 

 

Edited April 21 by keithb7 (see edit history)