1938 CHEVROLET
All Series
General Specifications
Wheelbase: 112-1/4 inches Bore & Stroke: 3-1/2" x 3-3/4"
Engine Displacement: 216.5 Cu. In. Compresssion Ratio: 6.25 to 1
Taxable Horsepower: 29.40
Horsepower: 85 @ 3,200 RPM;
Normal Oil Pressure: 14 Lb/Sq. In.
Rear Axle Ratio: 3.73:1 (Master) & 4.22:1 (Master DeLuxe)
Tire Size: 6.00 x 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, 26 Front, 28 Rear
MASTER, SERIES HB
2 Door Business Coupe, 2 Passenger, Model HB
Base Price: $648; Shipping Weight: 2,770 Pounds; Production Total: 39,793
2 Door Cabriolet (Convertible), 4 Passenger, Model HB
Base Price: $755; Shipping Weight: 2,790 Pounds: Production Total: 2,787
2 Door Coach, 5 Passenger, Model HB
Base Price: $ 668; Shipping Weight: 2,795 Pounds; Production Total: 3,326
2 Door Town Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model HB
Base Price: $689; Shipping Weight: 2,825 Pounds; Production Total: 95,050
4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model HB
Base Price: $730; Shipping Weight: 2,840 Pounds; Production Total: 522
4 Door Sport Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model HB
Base Price: $750; Shipping Weight: 2,845 Pounds; Production Total: 20,952
Note: The Master, Series HB used a solid front axle suspension
MASTER DELUXE, SERIES HA
2 Door Coupe, 2 Passenger, Model #HA
Base Price: $714; Shipping Weight: 2,840 Pounds; Production Total: 36,106
2 Door Sport Coupe, 4 Passenger, Model #HA
Base Price: $750; Shipping Weight: 2,855 Pounds: Production Total: 2,790
2 Door Coach, 5 Passenger, Model #HA
Base Price: $730; Shipping Weight: 2,900 Pounds: Production Total: 1,038
2 Door Town Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model #HA
Base Price: $750; Shipping Weight: 2,915 Pounds; Production Total: 186,233
4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model #HA
Base Price: $796; Shipping Weight: 2,915 Pounds; Production Total: 6236
4 Door Sport Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model #HA
Base Price: $ 817; Shipping Weight: 2,940 Pounds; Production Total: 76,323
Note: The Special DeLuxe, Series HA used a Knee Action with coil spring front suspension.
1938 CHEVROLET
Tune Up Specifications - All Series
Spark Plug Type: Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent
Spark Plug: Gap .040; Firing Order: 153624;
Ignition Timing: Mark-Steel Ball Located on Flywheel
Point Gap: .020 Distributor Cam Angle: 35 degrees
Cylinder Head Torque: 75-80 Ft. Lbs;
Fan Belt: Goodyear #22424, or Equivalent
Radiator Hoses: Upper: Goodyear 1-1/4" or #52007, or Equivalent
Lower: Goodyear: #60017* or 52412, or Equivalent
* Cut to Fit
Valve Specifications
Operating (Tappet) Clearance, Hot: Intake .006; Exhaust .013
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001-.003; Exhaust .002-.004
Clearance for Timing: Intake: .006 Exhaust: .013
Valve Seat Angle: Intake 30 degrees; Exhaust 30 degrees, in head
Valve Timing: Intake Opens 9 degrees Before Top Dead Center
Exhaust Closes 1 degrees Before Top Dead Center
Valve Spring Pressure: 125 Lbs @ 1-1/2 inches
Piston & Ring Data-All Series
Piston Removal: From Above
Shim Thickness to Use: Piston should pass at .002" and lock at .003"
Ring Gap, Minimum:
Compression: 216 Engine: .005" Oil Control: .005
Ring Clearance in Groves:
Compression: .0015-.003 Oil: .0015-.0025
Engine Bearing Data
Connecting Rod Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.311-2.312 inches
Rod Bearing Clearance: .0015-.0025 inches
Rod End Play: .004-.012 inches Rod Bolt Tension: 55-60 Lbs. Ft.
Main Bearing Journal Diameter: Front, 2.6855-2.6865; No 2, 2.7165-2.7175
No. 3, 2.7475-2.7485; No 4, 2.7785-2.7795
Main Bearing Clearance: .0015 -.0035 inch
Crankshaft End Play: .004-.007 Inch (Thrust taken on #3 bearing)
Main Bolt Tension: 100-110 Lbs. Ft.
Camshaft End Play: Free-.003 inches
Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .002-.004
Capacities-All Series
Cooling System: 14 Qts.
Fuel Tank: 14 Gallons
Engine Oil Refill: 5 Qts; Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20; Above +10F 20W;
Above -10F 10W
Manual Transmission: 1-1/2 pints; Grade of Oil: Summer 90
Winter 90
Rear Axle: 3 pints; Grade of Oil: Summer 90H
Winter 90H
Beginning Engine Numbers: 1187822
B-1 (Buffalo)
Beginning Serial Numbers: HB Series: HB-1001; HA Series: HA-1001
Brake Specifications-All Series
Lining Deminsions in Inches/Wheel: Length, 22-5/8; Width 1-3/4; Thickness 3/16
Pedal Free Play: 1/4"
Wheel Alignment Specifications
Master, Series HB
Caster: +2-1/4; Camber: +1;
Toe In; 1/8 inches;
Kingpin Angle: 7-1/16
Master DeLuxe, Series HA
Caster: 0; Camber: +1/4
Toe In: 3/32 inches;
Kingpin Angle: 7-3/4
Rear Axle Data
Ring & Pinion Gear Backlash: .004-.008 Inch
Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims
Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: None
Axle Shaft End Plan: .000-.014 Inch
Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications
Part #1110008
Cam Angle: 35 Degrees
Breaker Point Opening: .020"
Condenser Capacity: .20-.25 Mfds
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-21 Ounces
Centrifugal Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 7/8 Degrees @ 300 RPM
Full Advance: 25 Degrees @ 1,800 RPM
Vacuum Advance Data:
Plunger Movement Starts @ 4-1/2" Vacuum
Full Advance @ 8-10" Vacuum
Maximum Vacuum Advance: 7-1/2 Degrees
Delco-Remy Generator Specifications
Part #1100004
Brush Spring Tension:
Main: 25 Ounces
Third: 25 Ounces
Direction of Rotation: Clockwise
Field Current @ 6 Volts: 2.3-2.6 Volts
Maximum Cold Output: 30 Amperes, 8.0 Volts @ 3,400 RPM
Maximum Hot Output: 28 Amperes, 8.0 Volts @ 3,600 RPM
Delco-Remy Regulator Specifications
Regulator Type: Voltage
Regulator #1118203
Ground Polarity: Negative
Voltage to Close Relay Points: 6.3-6.6 Volts
Amperage to Open Relay Points: 0-4.0 Amperes
Maximum Operating Voltage (Hot): 7.0-7.1 Volts
Delco-Remy Starting Motor Specifications
Part #1107001
Brush Spring Tension: 24-28 Ounces
No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.0 Volts @ 5,000 RPM
Lock Test: 525 Amperes, 3.37 Volts @ 12 Ft Lbs of Torque
Carburetor Specifications
Carter W-1 Model 358S
Casting #205
Repair Kit # N/A
Float Level: 3/8"
Screw Setting: 1-2 Turns Open
Metering Rod Gauge: T109-25
Anti-Pump Travel:
Holes in Pump Arm Provide Pump Adjustment
Cold Weather: Longest Stroke
Hot Weather: Shortest Stroke
Carter W-1 Model 391S
Casting #337
Repair Kit # 1006C
Float Level: 3/8"
Screw Setting: 1-2 Turns Open
Metering Rod Gauge: T109-25
Anti-Pump Travel:
Holes in Pump Arm Provide Pump Adjustment
Cold Weather: Longest Stroke
Hot Weather: Shortest Stroke
Fuel Pump Specifications:
Pump Model: AF
Maximum Pressure: 3 PSI
Dash Gauge Manufacturer:
Gasolline: AC
Temperature: AC
Oil Pressure: AC
Ammeter: AC
Popular Options
Whitewall tires, Bumper Guards, Radio, Heater, Clock, Cigar lighter, Seat covers, Spotlight, Fog lights, Wheel trim rings, Single Sidemount, Dual Sidemounts, Fender Skirts, Fender Marker Lamps;
1938 Chevrolet Historical Data
1938 Chevrolet Model Introduction was in October 23, 1937.
Total Chevrolet Production for 1938 was 470,766.
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