1938 PONTIAC



Model Designations:

Pontiac DeLuxe, Series 26, 6 Cylinder

Pontiac DeLuxe, Series 28, 8 Cylinder



Pontiac DeLuxe, Series 26, 6 Cylinder, Body Styles


2 Door Coupe, 2 Passenger, Body Style #2627B

Base Price: $835; Shipping Weight: 3,190 Pounds


2 Door Sport Coupe, 2/4 Passenger, Body Style #2627

Base Price: $891; Shipping Weight: 3,200 Pounds


2 Door Cabriolet, 2/4 Passenger, Body Style #2667

Base Price: $993; Shipping Weight: 3,285 Pounds


2 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2601

Base Price: $865; Shipping Weight: 3,265 Pounds


2 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2611

Base Price: $891; Shipping Weight: 3,265 Pounds


4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2609

Base Price: $916; Shipping Weight: 3,295 Pounds


4 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2619

Base Price: $942; Shipping Weight: 3,280 Pounds


4 Door Convertible Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2649

Base Price: $1,310; Shiipping Weight: 3,410 Pounds


4 Door Station Wagon, 7 Passenger, Body Style #STAWAG

Base Price: $1,110; Shipping Weight: 3,420 Pounds


Total Series Production: 77,713

Individual Body Style Production Not Available




General Specifications


Pontiac, Series 26, 6 Cylinder

Wheelbase: 117 Inches

Bore & Stroke: 3-7/16" X 4"

Engine Displacement: 222.7 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 6.20 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 28.30

Horsepower: 85 @ 3,520 RPM

Torque: Not Available

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.37:1

Carburetor: Carter 1V .

Tire Size: 6.00 x 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, Front 27, Rear, 32


Capacities, 6 Cylinder Models


Cooling System: 16 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 18 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 1-3/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 80EP, Winter 80EP

Rear Axle: 3 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90EP, Winter 90EP



Tune Up Specifications, 6 Cylinder Models


Spark Plug Type: Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .025"

Point Gap: .020"

Distributor Cam Angle: 35 degrees

Ignition Timing: "IGN" Mark on Flywheel

Firing Order: 153624

Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake .012", Exhaust .012"

Cylinder Head Torque: 60 Ft Lbs


Engine Bearing Data, 6 Cylinder Models


Camshaft End Play: .002"-.005"

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .0015"-.0025"

Rod Journal Diameter: 1.9975"-1.9985"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0015"

Rod End Play: .007"-.012" inches

Rod Bolt Tension: 45-50 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter:

#1: 2.3725"-2.3735"; #2: 2.4037"-2.4047";

#3: 2.4662"-2.4672"; #4: 2.4975"-2.4985";

Main Bearing Clearance: .001" -.003"

Crankshaft End Play: .003"-.008"

Main Bolt Tension: 80-90 Lbs. Ft.



Pontiac DeLuxe, Series 28, 8 Cylinder, Body Styles


2 Door Coupe, 2 Passenger, Body Style #2827B

Base Price: $898; Shipping Weight: 3,320 Pounds


2 Door Sport Coupe, 2/4 Passenger, Body Style #2827

Base Price: $955; Shipping Weight: 3,325 Pounds


2 Door Cabriolet, 2/4 Passenger, Body Style #2867

Base Price: $1,057; Shipping Weight: 3,390 Pounds


2 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2801

Base Price: $934; Shipping Weight: 3,395 Pounds


2 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2811

Base Price: $960; Shipping Weight: 3,385 Pounds


4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2809

Base Price: $980; Shipping Weight: 3,415 Pounds


4 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2819

Base Price: $1,006; Shipping Weight: 3,410 Pounds


4 Door Convertible Sedan, 5 Passenger, Body Style #2849

Base Price: $1,353; Shipping Weight: 3,530 Pounds


Total Series Production: 97,139

Individual Body Style Production Not Available




General Specifications


Pontiac, Series 28, 8 Cylinder

Wheelbase: 122 Inches

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

Engine Displacement: 248.9 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 6.20 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 33.80

Horsepower: 100 @ 3,700 RPM

Torque: Not Available

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.37:1

Carburetor: Carter 1V

Tire Size: 6.50 x 16 inches; Inflation Pressure, Front 27, Rear, 32



Capacities, 8 Cylinder Models


Cooling System: 19 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 18 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 7 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 1-3/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 80EP, Winter 80EP

Rear Axle: 3 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90EP, Winter 90EP


Tune Up Specifications, 8 Cylinder Models


Spark Plug Type: Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .025"

Point Gap: .015"

Distributor Cam Angle: 31 degrees

Ignition Timing: "IGN" Mark on Flywheel

Firing Order: 16258374

Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake .012", Exhaust .012"

Cylinder Head Torque: 60 Ft Lbs



Engine Bearing Data, 8 Cylinder Models


Camshaft End Play: .002"-.005"

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .0015"-.0025"

Rod Journal Diameter: 1.9975"-1.9985"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0015"

Rod End Play: .007"-.012" inches

Rod Bolt Tension: 45-50 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter:

#1: 2.3725"-2.3735"; #2: 2.4037"-2.4047";

#3: 2.435"-2.436"; #4: 2.4662"-2.4672";

#5: 2.4975:-2.4985"

Main Bearing Clearance: .001" -.003"

Crankshaft End Play: .003"-.008"

Main Bolt Tension: 80-90 Lbs. Ft.




Valve Specifications, 6 & 8 Cylinder Models


Tappet Clearance, Running Hot: Intake .012"; Exhaust .012"

Clearance for Timing: Intake: .015"; Exhaust: .015"

Valve Timing: Intake Opens 5 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 5 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Seat Angle: Intake 30 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,

Valve Spring Pressure: 56 Lbs @ 1-29/32 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001"

Exhaust .001"




Piston & Ring Data, 6 & 8 Cylinder Models


Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .023"

Top of Skirt, Inch: .0015"

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 10 to 25

Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .007"

Oil Ring: .007"

Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:

Compression Ring: .0015"-.003"

Oil Control Ring: .001"-.0025"




Beginning Engine Numbers:

6 Cylinder: 6-399501

8 Cylinder: 8-140001



Beginning Serial Numbers:

6 Cylinder, DeLuxe: 6DA-1001

8 Cylinder, DeLuxe: 8DA-1001



Brake Specifications, 6 & 8 Cylinder Models


Lining Material: Molded

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches: 23-1/16"

Width: 1-3/4",

Thickness: 3/16"

Pedal Free Play: 1/2"





Wheel Alignment Specifications, 6 & 8 Cylinder DeLuxe Models

Caster: - 1 Degrees

Camber: +1/4 Degrees

Toe In; 1/32"

Kingpin Angle: 4-3/4 Degrees



Rear Axle , 6 & 8 Cylinder Models


Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .003"-.012"

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: None

Axle Shaft End Play: .000"-.008"



Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications - 6 Cylinder Models


Distributor #647-D

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: 2 Degrees @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 14-1/4 Degrees @ 2,000 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Plunger Movement Starts @ 5"-7" Vacuum

Full Plunger Travel @ 10"-15" Vacuum

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 7-1/2 Degrees




Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications - 8 Cylinder Models


Distributor #663-X

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: 2 Degrees @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 14 Degrees @ 2,100 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Plunger Movement Starts @ 7" Vacuum (Minimum)

Full Plunger Travel @ 9"-13" Vacuum

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 5 Degrees




Delco-Remy Generator Specifications, All Models


Generator #1100003

Brush Spring Tension:

Main Brush: 25 Ounces

Third Brush: 17 Ounces

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 6 Volts: 2.3-2.6 Amperes

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, 8 Cylinder Models


Regulator Type: Voltage

Part #1118213

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 Regulator Specifications, 6 Cylinder Models


Regulator Type: Voltage

Part #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 - 6 Cylinder Models


Part #729-E

Brush Spring Tension: 24-28 Ounces

No Load Test: 60 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 6,000 RPM

Lock Test: 600 Amperes, 3.0 Volts, 15 Ft. Lbs. of Torque.



Delco-Remy Starting Motor Specifications - 8 Cylinder Models


Part #727-S

Brush Spring Tension: 24-28 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.0 Volts, @ 5,500 RPM

Lock Test: 600 Amperes, 3.0 Volts, 15 Ft. Lbs. of Torque.



Carburetor Specifications - 6 Cylinder Models


Carburetor Model: Carter W-1

Model: 401S

Casting #344

Repair Kit # 1030A

Float Level: 3/8"

Screw Settings: 3/4-1-1/4 Turns to Open

Metering Rod Gauge: T109-26

Anti-Pump Travel: 19/64" (Medium Stroke)

Loader Percolator Setting:

With Throttle Valve Open .030", There Should be .005" to .015" Clearance Between Rocker Arm & Pump Arm

Unloader Idle Setting: 5/16"

Fast Idle Setting: 5/8"

Choke Lockout Adjustment: 1/32"



Carburetor Specifications - 8 Cylinder Models


Carburetor Model: Carter W-1

Model: 400S

Casting #343

Repair Kit # 1029A

Float Level: 3/8"

Screw Settings: 1/2-1 Turns to Open

Metering Rod Gauge: T109-26

Anti-Pump Travel: 19/64" (Medium Stroke)

Loader Percolator Setting:

With Throttle Valve Open .030", There Should be .005" to .015" Clearance Between Rocker Arm & Pump Arm

Unloader Idle Setting: 5/16"

Fast Idle Setting: 5/8"

Choke Lockout Adjustment: 1/32"



Fuel Pump Data:

Pump Model: AH

Maximum Pressure: 3-3/4 PSI


Pump Model: AJ

Maximum Pressure: 4 PSI



Dash Gauge Manufacturer:

Gasoline: AC

Temperature: AC

Oil Pressure: AC

Ammeter: AC




Popular Options


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1938 Pontiac Historical Data


Model Year Introduction was in October, 1937.

Total 1938 Pontiac Production was 97,139

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