1938 DESOTO
Model Designations:
DeSoto, Series S-5, 6 Cylinder
Body Styles & Prices:
DeSoto, Series S-5
2 Door Business Coupe, 3 Passenger,
Base Price: $870; Shipping Weight: 3,039 Pounds; Production Total: 5,160
2 Door Rumble Seat Coupe, 3/5 Passenger,
Base Price: $920; Shipping Weight: 3,089 Pounds; Production Total: 38
2 Door Trunk Brougham, 6 Passenger,
Base Price: $930; Shipping Weight: 3,119 Pounds; Production Total: 5,367
2 Door Fastback Sedan, 6 Passenger,
Base Price: $920; Shipping Weight: 3,104 Pounds; Production Total: 11
4 Door Trunk Sedan, 6 Passenger,
Base Price: $970; Shipping Weight: 3,139 Pounds; Production Total: 23,681
4 Door Fastback Sedan, 6 Passenger,
Base Price: $958; Shipping Weight: 3,134 Pounds; Production Total: 498
4 Door Convertible Sedan, 5 Passenger,
Base Price: $1,375; Shipping Weight: 3,394 Pounds; Production Total: 431
DeSoto, Long Wheelbase (136"), Series S-5
4 Door Trunk Sedan, 7 Passenger,
Base Price: $1,195; Shipping Weight: 3,439 Pounds; Production Total: 513
4 Door Limousine, 7 Passenger,
Base Price: $1,285; Shipping Weight: 3,524 Pounds; Production Total: 81
4 Door California Taxi, 7 Passenger
Base Price: $ NA; Shipping Weight: NA; Production Total: 372
Chasis
Chasis; Total Production: 413
4 Door Cantrell Station Wagon; No Prices, Weights, or Production Figures Available.
4 Door Derham Town Car; No Prices, Weights, or Production Figures Available.
General Specifications:
Wheelbase: 119"
Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8" X 4-1/4"
Engine Displacement: 228.1 Cu. In.
Compression Ratio: 6.5:1
Taxable Horsepower: 27.34
Horsepower: 93 @ 3,600 RPM
Torque: 172 Ft Lbs @ 1,200 RPM, Optional: 176 Ft Lbs @ 1,200 RPM
Carburetor: Carter 1V Model E6M1
Rear Axle Ratio: 4.11:1
Tire Size: 6.00 X 16", Pressures: 28 Front & Rear
Tune Up Specifications
Spark Plug Type:
Regular Heads: Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent
Aluminum Heads: Champion J-9 (Long Reach), H-10, or Equivalent
Spark Plug: Gap .025;
Point Gap: .020
Distributor Cam Angle: 38 degrees
Ignition Timing: 3rd Line After TDC on Vibration Damper
Firing Order: 153624
Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake .008, Exhaust .010
Cylinder Head Torque: 65-70 Ft Lbs
Capacities
93 Horsepower Engine
Cooling System: 20 Quarts
Fuel Tank: 16 Gallons;
Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts;
Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;
Above +10F 20W;
Above -10F 10W
Manual Transmission: 2-1/4 Pints, Without Overdrive
3-1/4 Pints, With Overdrive
Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90, Without Overdrive
Summer 70, Winter 50, With Overdrive
Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints
Grade of Oil: Summer 90H, Winter 90H
1938 DESOTO
Valve Specifications
Both Engines
Tappet Clearance, Running Hot: Intake .008; Exhaust .010
Clearance for Timing: Intake: .014; Exhaust: .014
Valve Timing:
Intake Opens 8 Degrees Before Top Dead Center
Exhaust Closes 2 degrees After Top Dead Center
Valve Seat Angle: Intake 45 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,
Valve Spring Pressure: 40 Lbs @ 1-3/4 inches (New Springs)
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001-.003;
Exhaust .001-.003
Piston & Ring Data
Both Engines
Piston Removal: From Above
Piston Clearance (Minimum):
Top Land Inch .022;
Top of Skirt, Inch: .0005"
Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:
Shim Thickness: .002"
Pounds Pull on Scale: 5 to 7
Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):
Compression Ring: .007
Oil Ring: .007
Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:
Compression Ring: .0015-.003
Oil Control Ring: .0015-.003
Engine Bearing Data
Both Engines
Camshaft End Play: .002-.006
Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .001-.003
Rod Journal Diameter: 2.124-2.125 Inches
Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005-.0025 inches
Rod End Play: .006-.011 inches
Rod Bolt Tension: 45-50 Lbs. Ft.
Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.499"-2.500"
Main Bearing Clearance: .001 -.002 inch
Crankshaft End Play: .003-.007 Inch
Main Bolt Tension: 75-80 Lbs. Ft.
Beginning Engine Numbers:
Series S-5: S5-1001
Beginning Serial Numbers:
Series S-5: 5598301
Brake Specifications
Lining Material: Molded
Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches:
Length, 19-7/16",
Width, 2",
Thickness, 3/16"
Pedal Free Play: 5/16"
Wheel Alignment Specifications
Caster: +1-1/2 Degrees
Camber: +1/8 Degrees
Toe In: 1/16"
Kingpin Angle: 5-3/8 Degrees
Rear Axle Data
Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .006-.010 inch
Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims
Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Shims
Axle Shaft End Play: .003-.008 inch
Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications
Distributor #1GS-4010-1
Cam Angle: 38 Degrees
Breaker Point Opening: .020"
Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces
Centrifugal Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 3 Degrees @ 400 RPM
Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 1,530 RPM
Vacuum Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 2 Degrees @ 6-1/4" Vacuum
Full Advance: 10 Degrees @ 12" Vacuum
Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications
Distributor #1GS-4010C-1
Cam Angle: 38 Degrees
Breaker Point Opening: .020"
Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces
Centrifugal Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 3 Degrees @ 400 RPM
Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 1,530 RPM
Vacuum Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 1 Degrees @ 6" Vacuum
Full Advance: 7 Degrees @ 12" Vacuum
Auto-Lite Generator Specifications
Generator # GDA-4801A
Brush Spring Tension:
Main Brush: 53 Ounces (Maximum)
Direction of Rotation: Clockwise
Field Current @ 6 Volts: 1.66-1.84 Amperes
Low Output Test: 8 Amperes, 7.6 Volts @ 1,195 RPM
Maximum Output: 28 Amperes, 8 Volts @ 2,025 RPM
Auto-Lite Regulator Specifications
Regulator Type: Voltage & Current
Part #VRB-4004B
Ground Polarity: Positive
Voltage to Close Relay Points: 6.4 to 7.0 Volts
Amperage to Open Relay Points: .5 to 3.0 Amperes
Maximum Operating Amperage: 27 to 29 Amperes
Maximum Operating Voltage @ 70 Degrees:
Before #8R-000001: 7.65 Volts
#8R-000001 & Later Numbers: 7.45 Volts
Starting Motor Specifications
Part #MAW-4010
Brush Spring Tension: 42-53 Ounces
No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.5 Volts @ 4,900 RPM
Lock Test: 670 Amperes, 4.0 Volts @ 18.0 Ft Lbs Torque
Carter Carburetor Specifications
Carburetor Model: BB
Part #E6P5
Casting # Stamped on Webbing of Bowl Cover or Attached Tag
Repair Kit # 1308A
Float Level: 5/64"
Idle Screw Setting: 1/2 to 1-1/2 Turns
Metering Rod Gauge: None
Pump Travel: 24/64" (Medium Stroke)
Carburetor Model: BB
Part #E6L1
Casting # Stamped on Webbing of Bowl Cover or Attached Tag
Repair Kit # N/A
Float Level: 5/64"
Idle Screw Setting: 1/2 to 1 Turns
Metering Rod Gauge: None
Pump Travel: 27/64" (Medium Stroke)
Carburetor Model: BB
Part #E6M1
Casting # Stamped on Webbing of Bowl Cover or Attached Tag
Repair Kit # 1020B
Float Level: 5/64"
Idle Screw Setting: 1/2 to 1-1/4 Turns
Metering Rod Gauge: None
Pump Travel: 27/64" (Medium Stroke)
Fuel Pump Data:
Pump Type: B
Maximum Pressure: 3-1/2 PSI
Pump Type: AL
Maximum Pressure: 3-1/2 PSI
Pump Type: AT
Maximum Pressure: 4-1/4 PSI
Dash Gauge Manufacturer:
Gasoline: Moto Meter Neco
Temperature: Moto Meter Neco
Oil Pressure: Moto Meter Neco
Ammeter: Auto-Lite
Popular Options
Front Bumper, Rear Bumper, White Wall Tires, Dual Sidemounts, Sidemount Covers, Fender Skirts, Bumper Guards, Radio, Antenna, Heater, Clock, Cigar Lighter, Seat Covers, Spotlights, Wheel Trim Rings, Fender Skirts, Overdrive Transmission, External Sunshade, Fog Lights, High-Compression Aluminum Cylinder Head, Outside Rear View Mirrors.
1938 DeSoto Historical Data
Introduction of the 1938 DeSoto was on September 1, 1937.
Total 1938 DeSoto Production was 32,688
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