1939 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
Tire Size: 6.00 x 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, 26 Front, 28 Rear
MASTER 85, SERIES JB
2 Door Business Coupe, 2 Passenger, Model JB
Base Price: $628; Shipping Weight: 2,780 Pounds; Production Total: 41,770
2 Door Coach, 5 Passenger, Model JB
Base Price: $ 648; Shipping Weight: 2,795 Pounds; Production Total: 1,404
2 Door Town Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model JB
Base Price: $669; Shipping Weight: 2,820 Pounds; Production Total: 124,059
4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model JB
Base Price: $689; Shipping Weight: 2,805 Pounds; Production Total: 336
4 Door Sport Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model JB
Base Price: $710; Shipping Weight: 2,845 Pounds; Production Total: 22,623
4 Door Station Wagon, 8 Passenger, Model JB
Base Price: $848; Shipping Weight: 3,010 Pounds; Production Total: 430
Note: The Master 85, Series JB used a solid front axle suspension
MASTER DELUXE, SERIES JA
2 Door Coupe, 2 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $684; Shipping Weight: 2,845 Pounds; Production Total: 33,809
2 Door Sport Coupe, 4 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $715; Shipping Weight: 2,845 Pounds: Production Total: 20,908
2 Door Coach, 5 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $699; Shipping Weight: 2,865 Pounds: Production Total: 180
2 Door Town Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $720; Shipping Weight: 2,875 Pounds; Production Total: 220,181
4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $745; Shipping Weight: 2,875 Pounds; Production Total: 68
4 Door Sport Sedan, 5 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $ 766; Shipping Weight: 2,910 Pounds; Production Total: 110,521
4 Door Station Wagon, 8 Passenger, Model #JA
Base Price: $ 883; Shipping Weight: 3,060 Pounds; Production Total: 989
Note: The Special DeLuxe, Series JA used a Knee Action with coil spring front suspension.
1939 CHEVROLET
Tune Up Specifications - All Series
Spark Plug Type: AC 46-5; 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 Intake Timing: Zero
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-.0035
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, 2.6835-2.6845; No 2, 2.7145-2.7155
No. 3, 2.7455-2.7465; No 4, 2,7765-2,7775
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: 1915447
B-10503 (Buffalo)
Beginning Serial Numbers: JB Series: JB-1001; JA Series: JA-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 Allignment Specifications
Master 85, Series JB
Caster: +2-1/4; Camber: +1;
Toe In; 1/8 inches;
Kingpin Angle: 7-1/16
Master DeLuxe, Series JA
Caster: 0; Camber: -1/4
Toe In: 1/32 inches;
Kingpin Angle: 4-3/4
Rear Axle Data
Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .004-.008 Inch
Drive Pinion Adnustment: Shims
Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: None
Exle Shaft End Play: .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 #1107009
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 420S
Casting #365
Repair Kit # 1013D
Float Level: 1/2"
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 434S
Casting #373
Repair Kit # N/A
Float Level: 1/2"
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 Data:
Pump Type AF
Maximum Pressure: 3 PSI
Dash Gauge Manufacturers:
Gasoline: 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, Outside rear view mirror, Accessory Hood Ornament, Single Sidemount (Standard on Wagon), Fender Skirts, Fender Marker Lamps; Slip-in Coupe Pick Up Box.
1939 Chevrolet Historical Data
1939 Chevrolet Model Introduction was in October 1938.
229 Station Wagons were built with double with folding end gates.
201 Station Wagons were built with rear doors.
No Convertible was produced for 1939.
Total Chevrolet Production for 1939 was 587,177.
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