38Plyroadking Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Hey all, I joined her a few months ago and check in now an then to see whats going on. I used to lurk before that, but who doesnt! :-) Anyway my story is I had a 37 Nash that I converted the whole drivetrain to a more modern unit, rewired the car, converted front drums to disc by swapping out spindles for 48 Ford spindles and getting a speedway disc kit. Workd great. Did a bunch of other work to it too. Then last spring I got the urge to sell it so I put it up for sale on the HAMB and sold it to a guy from Iowa in April. He drove it all the way from eastern Mass to Iowa (in July) so I must have done something right. I wasnt looking for anything in particular (options were, mid to late 30's coupe, or 50 Olds coupe, and a few others). It didnt take me long to find another car. One popped up on CL on a Friday afternoon in Maine. Bought it the nesxt day. It is a 1938 Plymouth Roadking (coupe) that the guy just finished rebuilding while updating a few things to make it more drivable. Original flat head 6, head shaved .09, dual exhaust, repop "fenton" cast iron exhaust manifolds, smithy's mufflers (got that hot flathead sound), dual Offenhauser intake, new modern carbs w/elec chokes, HEI ignition, T5 5speed trans, all new safety glass, shoulder belts, all new body rubber, all new brakes, disc brakes front on original axle, modern rear axle, poly gas tank, halogen headlights adapted to original headlight buckets and lenses w/signals. new running boards, wheel vintique solid wheels. Total frame off. Since I've owned it I've replaced all of the valves and valve springs, and converted it to a PCV valve system, new alternator, some painting in the tunk area, and rubber matting for the trunk and interior. I love this car, it drives great and is a blast to drive. It should drive even better with the new mechanicals and PCV valve. I've had to set the timing by ear since I cant see the timing mark on the pulley. Does anyone know how to determine where the mark should be? I want to dial it in more closely. I'll try to load pictures of it. Thats all for now and thanks for a great site. Paul Quote
1940plymouth Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Great looking car, welcome aboard Quote
Niel Hoback Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Thats a beauty alright. Looks like humphry Bogart should step out of it. Quote
thrashingcows Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Absolutely gorgeous!! Welcome to the board. I like everything about your car...looks, mechanicals etc. Sounds a lot like what I have planned for my ol' Desoto. More pics please..... Quote
38Plyroadking Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Posted February 1, 2011 More pics as requested! Quote
greg g Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 You can time it with a vacuum gauge. Attache it to the manifold, set the idle speed then rotate the dizzy to give you the highest steady reading. then adjust the idle speed if needed. Leave the diz a little loose then take it for a spin. If you get any spark knock like during brisk acceleration or climbing hills, retard it in increments till the knock goes away. then tighten the dist. The factory setting is tDC at idle but with raised compression, and today's gas the factory setting is pretty moot except when static timing a fresh rebuild. Thats a beauty. Mark your calander for July 13 through 16. A couple of us are thinking of doing the Walter P Chrysler club meet in St. Johnsbury VT. and organizing a caravan deal to get there. You mentioned your other car got driven from Eastern Mass. Is that the correct area?? Quote
Jim Yergin Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Beautiful car. Thanks for posting the pictures. Jim Yergin Quote
moose Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Welcome. Where are you? How long have you had that car? Maybe I'll see you at some of the good New England shows coming up. Quote
38Plyroadking Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Posted February 1, 2011 Greg, Thanks for the info. I guess theres no way to find the timing mark once its rusted off, huh?? I can try your suggestion in a few months when the snow/salt is gone! :-) And yes, eastern Mass near Cape Cod. I wonder if there is anyone else on here from around the same area? St. Johnsbury is a 4 1/2 hour ride. We will prbably be camping in upstae NY at that time but if not I'll try to make it. Thanks Paul Quote
38Plyroadking Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Posted February 1, 2011 Moose, Got the car in late July 2010. I'm near Cape Cod. I usually go to the Alter Boys Jamboree and then the Gathering of the Faithful in Oct. Maybe this year I can get to a few others. Paul Quote
T120 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 ..Paul,Welcome to the forum.Great looking car. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Good looking car there, Paul. Welcome to the forum. As you've already observed, you can learn a lot as well as have a little fun here. Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Hi Paul, Welcome to the gang. Great lookin' '38. We have a member that painted his firewall similar to yours. Interesting. Tom Quote
southfield48d24 Posted February 2, 2011 Report Posted February 2, 2011 really nice coupe. welcome Quote
38Plyroadking Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Posted February 2, 2011 Thank All! I have learned some good stuff already from this site. Especially when it came time to remove/install/set the new vavles and also with the PCV Valve conversion. I received a PM from a memeber asking how I did the PCVV so I'll do a quick teck article on that one when I have the info together in order to give a little back to the forum, if ya know what I mean. Paul Quote
Robert Horne Posted February 2, 2011 Report Posted February 2, 2011 Hello Paul, great looking 38 you have. I have had my 38 since 1986. Quote
deathbound Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Welcome.......very nice '38 P5.......I have it's brother-a P6. Pics with hood sides off for access at the time. I'm working on a lot of the mods your car has...hopefully done soon. Edited February 3, 2011 by deathbound Quote
38Plyroadking Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Posted February 3, 2011 Nice car ya got there DB. So, what is the difference between a P5 and P6? Quote
Cpt.Fred Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 welcome from berlin, too! that's a great car you have there! fred Quote
Robert Horne Posted February 3, 2011 Report Posted February 3, 2011 Nice car ya got there DB. So, what is the difference between a P5 and P6? I believe the quickest way to tell the difference is the door glass, vent window or no vent window. Quote
deathbound Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 Nice car ya got there DB. So, what is the difference between a P5 and P6? Thanks.....besides what was mentioned about the vent windows...here's a link from Allpar: http://www.allpar.com/history/plymouth/1938.html Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.