1938 LASALLE

1938 LASALLE

Model Designations:

LaSalle, Series 38-50, 8 Cylinder

LaSalle, Series 38-50, 8 Cylinder Body Styles

2 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Code: 38-5011

Base Price: $1,340; Shipping Weight: 3,800 Pounds

4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Code: 38-5019

Base Price: $1,380; Shipping Weight: 3,830 Pounds

Convertible Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Code: 38-5049

Base Price: $1,820; Shipping Weight: 3,870 Pounds

2 Door Convertible Coupe, 2 Passenger, Body Code: 38-5067

Base Price: $1,415; Shipping Weight: 3,735 Pounds

2 Door Coupe, 2 Passenger, Body Code: 38-5027

Base Price: $1,295; Shipping Weight: 3,745 Pounds

Production Totals by Body Style are not available.

1938 LASALLE

General Specifications

125 Horsepower 8 Cylinder Engine

Wheelbase: 124 Inches

Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8" X 4-1/2"

Engine Displacement: 322.0 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 6.25 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 36.45

Horsepower: 125 @ 3,400 RPM

Torque: Not Available

Rear Axle Ratio: 3.92:1

Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-25 or Carter WDO-392S .

Tire Size: 7.00 x 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, Front 26, Rear, 26

Tune Up Specifications

Spark Plug Type: Champion J-8 or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .025;

Point Gap: .015

Distributor Cam Angle: 25 degrees

Ignition Timing: "IGA" or "IGN" Mark on Vibration Damper

Firing Order: 18736542 (Odd #'s on Left Bank, Even #'s on Right Bank)

Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake Zero, Exhaust Zero

Cylinder Head Torque: 70-75 Ft Lbs

Valve Specifications

125 Horsepower Engine

Tappet Clearance, Running Hot: Intake: Zero; Exhaust: Zero

Clearance for Timing: Intake: Zero; Exhaust: Zero

Valve Timing: Intake Opens At Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 10 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Seat Angle: Intake 45 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,

Valve Spring Pressure: 66 Lbs @ 1-59/64 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001"-.003"

Exhaust .002"-.004"

Piston & Ring Data

125 Horsepower Engine

Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .0196"

Top of Skirt, Inch: .002"

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 11

Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .007"

Oil Ring: .007"

Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:

Compression Ring:

Top Ring: .0023"-.0041"; Lower Ring: .0013"-.0026"

Oil Control Ring: .0013"-.0026"

Engine Bearing Data

125 Horsepower Engine

Camshaft End Play: Controlled by thrust plate at front bearing

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .0015"-.0033"

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.4590"-2.4595"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0015"-.0025"

Rod End Play: .003"-.006" inches

Rod Bolt Tension: 50-60 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.4995"-2.5000"

Main Bearing Clearance: .0015" -.0025"

Crankshaft End Play: .001"-.005"

Main Bolt Tension: 130-140 Lbs. Ft.

Capacities

125 Horsepower Engine

Cooling System: 25 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 22 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 7 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 2-1/2 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90, Winter 90

Rear Axle: 5 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90H, Winter 90H

Beginning Engine Numbers:

Engine Numbers are identical with Serial Numbers

Beginning Serial Numbers:

LaSalle Model 50: 2270001

Brake Specifications

Lining Material: Molded

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches: 25-7/8"

Width: Front Wheel, 2-1/4"; Rear Wheel, 2"

Thickness: 3/16"

Pedal Free Play: 5/16"

Wheel Alignment Specifications

Caster: -1/2 Degrees

Camber: +1/8 Degrees

Toe In; 1/16"

Kingpin Angle: 5-1/2 Degrees

Rear Axle Data

Not Available

Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications, Series 50

Distributor #1110604

Cam Angle: 25 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .015"

Condenser Capacity: .20-.25 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19-23 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1/2 Degree @ 500 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Delco-Remy Generator Specifications:

Generator # 1101050

Brush Spring Tension:

Main Brush: 25 Ounces

Third Bursh: 17 Ounces

Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 6 Volts:

Shunt: 1.44-1.56 Amperes

Third Brush: .89-.94 Amperes

Maximum Cold Output: 29 Amperes: 8.0 Volts, @ 4,000 RPM:

Maximum Hot Output: 28 Amperes, 8.0 Volts, @ 4,200 RPM

Delco-Remy Regulator Specifications:

Regulator Type: Voltage

Regulator Number: 1118204

Ground Polarity: Positive

Voltage to Close Points: 6.3-6.6

Amperage to Open Relay Points: 0-4.0 Amperes

Maximim Operating Voltage: 7.0 to 7.1

Delco-Remy Starting Motor Specifications:

Unit #: 727-V

Brush Spring Tension: 24-28 Ounces

No Load Test:

65 Amperes; 5.0 Volts; @ 5,500 RPM

Lock Test:

600 Amperes; 3.0 Volts; Torque 16 Ft Lbs

Carburetor Specifications, Series 50

Carburetor Model: Carter WD0

Model: 392S

Casting #166

Repair Kit # 1070A

Float Level: 3/16"

Screw Settings: 1/4-1 Turns to Open

Metering Rod Gauge: T109-27

Anti-Pump Travel: 16/64" (Long Stroke)

Loader Percolator Setting:

With Throttle Closed and .015" Feeler Gauge Inserted Between Anti-Percolator Stem & Lip of Arm, Indicator Lines Should be Flush With Top of Anti-Percolator Plug.

Unloader Idle Setting: 1/8"

Fast Idle Setting: .030"

Choke Lockout Adjustment: None

Fuel Pump Data:

Pump Type: AB

Maximum Pressure: 4-1/2 PSI

Dash Gauge Manufacturers:

Gasoline: AC

Temperature: AC

Oil Pressure: AC

Ammeter: AC

Popular Options

Radio, Heater, Clock, Flexible Steering Wheel, Trim Rings, Wheel Discs, Spotlight, Fog Lights, Automatic Battery Filler, Seat Covers.

1938 LaSalle Historical Data

Model Year introduction was in October 1937.

Total 1938 LaSalle Production was 15,501