Will this 1938 Chevy coupe run and drive again?

This week we’re wrenching on a super solid 1938 Chevy coupe, that has been sitting under cover since 1966. Follow along to see if it will run and drive under its own power again. Thanks for watching!
#revival #willitrun #chevrolet

[@redredmane5544]

I LIKE these engines!!! Look at how SIMPLE they were!!! Cars today have so much 500 percent unnecessary “geekery” in them!!! My god, a KID could work on an engine like this!!!

[@patrickbrown551]

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed the video.

[@Carlos-bz2pe]

Yes. I agree. Can't even change the oil without having to reset the digital dashboard. Like who cares! I know when I have to change the oil without a notification. Know what I mean?

[@angelitavaldellon7600]

Great to see a young guy who knows how to work on cars. Very few do nowadays.

[@davidbrattain1446]

My Great-Uncle Gus and Great-Aunt Agnus had one of these cars. It was olive green. I remember that he had a little fan mounted on the dash (don't know if it came from the factory with it or if he had it installed). Used to drive to my Grandparents home from the farm with a gallon of strawberries from their farm in Indiana. Grandma would bake up some shortcakes. and would have them with ice cream and strawberries. Great times.

[@Rustwrangler]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@user-lr8ch1og6z]

Runs great and the little bit of smoke keeps the Mosquitoes away. I love old small block Chevys. Had a 327 300HP in 63 Impala at one time many years ago!

[@daveholte7658]

Made me happy when it fired and ran. I had one back when I was 20 years old. 2 door business man coupe. Got busy with raising family and sold it. Damn. Great videos

[@Rustwrangler]

That’s awesome, thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@daveholte7658]

@@Rustwrangler were those 6 cylinder engines a 216? Can’t recall I remember all that trunk space

[@79tazman]

You need to fill the vent tube. It's the little line that is at the top of the carb it goes right into the fuel bowl inside the the carb and it will run longer then just dumping fuel down the carb.

[@joelabbe6185]

What a fantastic video!!!! Congratulations on getting it "living" again! That....THAT is what stared at me from the darkness of my grandfather's garage. As soon as I was physically strong enough, I'd roll the garage door aside to peek in on it at EVERY visit to Gram and Pa's house. Always something imposing about that nose....almost creepy, but I LOVED it. 1938 Master Deluxe sedan, it was Pa's daily driver until 1957, when it suffered a minor electrical fire. Rolled into the garage, it sat there amidst the clutter until....one summer day in 1980. I was 9 years old. Pull up to Gram and Pa's to see it sitting in the driveway. THE FIRST and ONLY time I ever saw it in daylight from every angle. My heart was racing! Aunt and uncle were inside and out washing the windows. With a million questions, things only got better from there. Push started by Pa's '69 Toronado, the car roamed the neighborhood most of the afternoon, me barely able to see over the dashboard! A SPLIT FRONT WINDSHIELD! Coolest ride I've ever gone on. Rolled back into the garage never to see light again. As the years passed, and so did grandpa, Uncle Jim inherited the house and the car. Though an expert mechanic, he never did anything with it. Up until my late 30's, I'd pester U.J. for the car. I had an old XR7 Cougar I'd restored, would sell it to start restoring Pa's '38. Uncle assured me I'd get it. Fast forward to 2010....one day, the '38 was gone. Uncle had drank himself into bankruptcy, lost the house, sold the car for $3k. I'd have paid that in a second if he'd only told me. 6 years later U.J. my childhood hero, drank himself to death at 58. Your video brought back one of the best memories of my life! THANK YOU! And good work!

[@Rustwrangler]

Wow, thank you for sharing that! And you have no idea where the car might be, or who might own it today? Would be pretty neat for you to find and buy it from whoever owns it today. Thank you for watching!

[@joelabbe6185]

Rust Wrangler....as I understand it, the buyer planned to use just the shell to make a hot rod. I never inquired further.

[@donhoughton271]

Would love to buy it, where is it located?😊

[@fredhusk]

Can you check the lights just I have a great interest in lighting on these vehicles or any vehicle whatsoever I'd like to see if the lights work it's just a curiosity thing I usually check every light that I possibly can just to see what it would look like lit up you know what I mean

[@fredhusk]

Drive me crazy if I can't see the lights and I like to see the dash lights and all I am a truck driver and I always play with the lights and make sure all the lights work I like clean lights I just like the lights I'm sorry don't be upset I like lights

[@TagsGarageAZ]

just as quick tip you ya when checking for spark with the cap off you can manually snap the points either with your finger or a screw driver, that way you dont have to drain the battery my cranking and you can also find out immediately if there's spark. another tip is to be very very carful when bottle feeding the carb, you dont want to put too much fuel down the throat because it can hydro lock the engine and possibly damage something such as piston, rod, or headgasket or at the least cause a backfire and get a DIY exhaust delete. if you need to give it enough fuel to idle up you can prefill the carb through the vent tube as seen at the top of carb. will usually give you a few mintues of idling before it runs out

[@chrishouse5753]

The Mortstki Flick!

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, I appreciate the tips.

[@Builder99]

your doing pretty good so far....one step at a time....be careful you do not get hurt and watch what you let get on your hands ...cancer is in lots of the stuff we use...I wear hearing aids cause i screwed up my ears...protect yours...take care...

[@tomasgotes2876]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅 0:18

[@jessiejames2155]

What a nifty find ! Looks like, there's alooot to do....

[@billkraemer4710]

WOW, most of the trim is still there. Amazing.

[@roberthocking9138]

A couple of suggestions if I may, take the plugs out when your trying to prime the fuel system, it will spin faster and be easier on your start motor. Secondly if you pour the fuel down that tube on the top of the carby, it will go in the Carby bowl and not straight into the intake manifold. Nice old car

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, I appreciate the suggestions.

[@vincentdow5899]

I seen guys squirt a few drops of Marvel Mystery Oil into the spark plug ports to give the pistons a pre-lube.

[@davidchenoweth5467]

Nice job, good to see the old cars on the road again. God bless you and keep On trucking

[@vijendrakeshwanand6815]

I am loving this. I was born in 1938. This is as antic as me. Go ahead and drive it mate!

[@SteveTheFordGuy985]

When you have a key switch that wont turn, remove the key from the switch, spray WD-40 into key slot to free up the switch, next slide the key into the switch, in & out a few times , then jiggle the key up & down while trying to turn the key. This procedure usually works so long as the key is the correct key for the switch. Hope this helps.

[@mrliberty8468]

Don't use wd 40 use dry lube instead

[@marklilly2581]

I like how you try to keep everything original

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, it definitely doesn’t always go that way.

[@georgewilliams1597]

Love your video keep up the good work. Awesome 38...

[@stude1953]

NEAT-O!! Loved the video! Good luck with it in the future! Hope you plan on more videos with it!

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you! Unfortunately this one is going to be sold. So hopefully whoever buys it will continue to keep it alive.

[@jessiejames2155]

Im thinking, that was alot of steel for such a little Engine . . .its a streight 6 !!! How awesome ! Sooo easy to fix !!

[@danielheartsill4269]

My vote is the needle and seat. I have seen that problem with old sitting cars many times.

[@Jason1975ism]

That seat cover is from an old aluminum camping cot. I recognize that pattern from my great uncle's basement collection of ancient camping gear. Very cool to see! They used 2 cots to recover the seat. Also, you earned my subscription today! Cool video!

[@Rustwrangler]

Awesome, someone got creative at some point. Thanks for sharing, and thank you for watching!

[@jrlittle2]

First time viewer and I enjoyed your video. I had an old 1940 Master Deluxe coupe back in the 80s and I wish I had it back. Unfornately I live in South Korea now so the only joy I get from old cars is to watch videos like your. NEW SUBSCRIBER!!!

[@Rustwrangler]

Oh, no kidding, thank you for sharing! And thanks for watching.

[@MrGuitar1458]

Enjoyed watching this very much, I have a '39 Ford but don't know how to do the work on it. I learned a lot seeing what you had to do to get this one running. Big fun! 😊

[@buzzwaldron6195]

Neighbors back in 1960's had a '38 Chevy they were working on... black as I recall... have to ask them what happened to it...

[@frankmclaughlin1683]

In about 1963 I bought a 38 Chevy 2 door and we put a 56 Olds motor in it and was able to drive it for about a week in Mass. without having to get an inspection sticker on it . I bought it from an old bus driver after I followed him home behind lots of smoke . He told me he would give me first chance and he did for $50.00 It might have been the orignal rat rod it had some kind of an old ford transmision with an adapter and a hearst mistery floor shifter that we hooked up wrong so the first time I put the clutch up it went backwards . The car had a split front seat and I drove it around some before we did the Olds engine that came out of a 52 Ford that I bought for $225.00 and we used a rear end from about a 54 oldsmoble and mufflers for a 57 mercury straped to the floor . Good luck with yours it might be a busniss coupe . What happened to my 38 was the moter came out and went into a 54 chevy and the body went to a friend that wanted to build a gasser . Thanks for the memories . .

[@Rustwrangler]

That’s awesome, thank you for sharing. That sounds like some true hot rodding if you ask me. If only you could find things for those prices now.

[@stevenleek1254]

Sounds Great!!

[@79tazman]

never pour coolant into a unknown condition rad you should start with tap water and if nothing leaks then drain the water and add coolant that way your not pouring coolant onto the ground.

[@clasic36]

It’s obvious this guy is new to the hobby.

[@vincentbasso4903]

I've really grown to appreciate the 1930's Chevys. Scott from the Cold War Motors channel just put a 38 four door on the road.

[@johncashfan82]

Great job! I myself wouldn’t have put detergent oil in it. Sludge will come loose and plug the oil pump screen.

[@westerntraveler2835]

Great video! Think you good that would look with a total restoration!

[@jimtomassetti8928]

Good Vidio....This was cool love when car truck what ever had been sitting so many yrs! Great vid....looking forward to more...Thank You😊

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@garyjubar5733]

this is fun. While he is cranking the engine over, I'm sitting here on the edge of my chair saying, come on baby, come on baby. Brings back memories. Took my first road test on chevy 235 six.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you for that comment, you just made my day!

[@MrPaige222]

You have excellent mechanical skills for such a young man. Only need a little more experience, but your humility and willingness to listen to the comments here will be your most valuable attributes. Great channel. You're going to go far.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you! I appreciate that.

[@williegibson2510]

I just subscribed to your channel. Love the content bro..... Definitely spreading the word

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@Telephony954]

Yeh that was fun. thanks for sharing.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@jorgenringdahl7364]

Good luck wid the Chevy.From Jörgen in Västervik Sweden. Nais saund in the motor.

[@OleGit1497]

I really like the old cars from the 30's thru the early 60's. Understanding the old school cars is a dieing are skill. Nice work; keep at it.

[@jamesb.9155]

Good job! Easy going, low pressure problem solving work success!

[@bryantyoung7197]

Love the way it sounds

[@TRUTHFINDER49]

Nice to see a guy not afread to get dirty and dig right in, at 80 and did over 1000 cars i guess there is still hope for car lovers like i was...

[@Rustwrangler]

There is still hope, and I believe there is still quite a few of us out here!

[@SuperTater2000]

Great video! I just found your channel. Very informative.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@jamesmoon8947]

Well done that Man 💯

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, cool car!!!!!! 👍👍

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@melmen2379]

My grandfather was born in 1938 and still alive. Ill have to show him this. Great job here with the video

[@Rustwrangler]

That’s awesome! Thank you!

[@SchneiderClassics]

right on man, that is awesome

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@robertlacob8831]

Love this old car but no time or resources to overhaul it as it needs. Just fun to watch.

[@delpsdayoff3372]

You are headed towards a successful channel, congrats

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@chrishouse5753]

Love to see this old bird get a new lease on life on a channel like Carter Auto Restyling - absolute wiz fixing up old cars and trucks keeping it as original as possible.

[@travelinben1966]

Great work! Well worth a full restoration imo👍👍 👍👍

[@Rustwrangler]

I agree, hopefully whoever buys it will have the resources to be able to do a full restoration.

[@travelinben1966]

@@Rustwrangler I'm sure someone will,I just hope they keep it original.

[@lasalleman6792]

Nice. Good project car.

[@rickyrunner7619]

definitely restorable nice any way you go with it

[@andrewbridges8270]

That was awesome impressed that it fired up with little effort would like to see that car fixed up to at least be a daily driver brakes electrical interior back seat get all gauges working and replace what is missing clock glove box lid etc keep up the great work cheers from Canada.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, I agree, hopefully whoever ends up with this car is able to get it all back together.

[@ghettsumm7949]

They sure made things to last back in the day! Good video Guy.

[@Cougracer67]

Actually modern cars last much, much longer than "back in the day"! A car like this '38 Chevy would have needed the valves reground by 50,000 miles or so, and a ring job by around 80,000 miles. Spark plugs every 10,000 miles and points at 20,000. Before reaching 100,000 miles it would have needed at least one water pump, several sets of brake shoes, a clutch, one or more fuel pumps, a carb overhaul, wheel bearings, starter and generator rebuilds, and the list goes on. Plus the seat would be ripped and torn. There was a reason every corner gas station carried mufflers and tailpipes, fan belts, tune up parts, batteries, bulbs, tires and tubes, brake shoes, gaskets and more!

[@ghettsumm7949]

@@Cougracer67 I certainly agree with you to a point, however if you let a modern vehicle sit for even a short length of time without maintenance, it will quickly fall apart and rot. Where as the older stuff has better long term serviceability.

[@jesseroberts9607]

Love the old runners like this one.

[@Rustwrangler]

I agree, these old cars are super cool!

[@juliocesarcosta3251]

Fantastic cars , very good ,,,,,,

[@patrickbrown3135]

Idle is now set way too high. I believe it's supposed to be crazy low like 450-500 rpm on stovebolts

[@Rustwrangler]

Yes, I believe you are correct, I was messing around with the choke toward the end there.

[@ParminderSingh-dq7ni]

Very good job I like video God bless you brother 👍❤❤❤❤

[@gambeersagar6838]

Amazing car and nice to drive

[@Rustwrangler]

It sure was, it was very satisfying to be able to drive this car.

[@JeffKopis]

During WW2, gas was rationed. But it was easier to get if you had a farm vehicle. Pickup trucks were considered farm vehicles. So a lotta guys hacked open the back end of cars to make them into pickups! And new pickups (or cars) were unavailable from 42-45.

[@JesusTorres-qr1gz]

Gentleman, that toy is on outstanding and impressive working conditions, like any old equipment once you take care of those repairs it may very well outlast us, at my 71 years of age, been there done that, consider yourself bless for having the opportunity to play with it, I haven't seen one of those in decades, most kind of you for sharing it with us, blessings to you and your love ones, from the endless summer paradise Puerto Rico Jesus Torres.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, I definitely do feel blessed to be able to get my hands on and work on some of these old vehicles! Blessings to you as well.

[@JesusTorres-qr1gz]

@@Rustwrangler most kind of you gentleman.

[@jonoffensend7519]

I would keep this as it is and refine the pickup bed area , new floor, stake side boards👍🎩

[@richardcline1337]

Sadly, the rat rod crowd will probably destroy it.

[@MaxAC]

Great car, great content. Work on your verbal delivery and this channel will blow up. Cheers. Ps. Loved the "Woo hoo!"

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback, and hope to continue to learn and better myself.

[@tampa9boi]

I have a 1938 Cadillac Series 65 with only 31k miles. Love driving it and seeing the similarities in the cars. please do more videos

[@Rustwrangler]

Wow, low miles on the Cadillac, that’s awesome! I’ve got a ton of videos in the works, thanks for watching!

[@johncrawford6992]

You did a good job on that old chev.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@AndreiChrisso]

amazing :)

[@anthonyrivera722]

Good job 👍

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@markduncan6690]

The Hoodie! Ball Cap! With Sunglasses! The Standard Look!

[@maxfoeaman7584]

Amazing Wow ❤

[@truckerjohn1957]

That was the most popular body for the old modified stock cars racing the oval tracks of the 60's and 70's.

[@ramonrivas2606]

That's 1 awesome car

[@billdyke9745]

Nice one, feller. 🇬🇧👍

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@study650]

Very good video. It was common back then (1940-1950) to cut the back out of the older cars to haul stuff around. Especially the small farms, to keep from having to buy a truck. You just can't beat that old Chevy six cylinder. Don't make cars like they used to.

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you! Also I did see some kind of brochure about a kit for adding a small pickup bed to the back of these, and the opening on the back looked similar to the one on this car. Would have been cool to find a bed for this one.

[@study650]

@@Rustwrangler no, I was I my pre-teens back then. I’m sure they probably have them now. I’m too old to do anything with them now, but I enjoy watching you younger guys working on them.

[@angellizarraga6050]

Buen video bonito proyecto. Saludos

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you!

[@YahshuaLovesMe]

worth saving!

[@jessiejames2155]

...Teardrop headlights are epic..!

[@williamwoolcock]

Beautiful Fisher Body.

[@patjohnson3100]

1938 Chevies are almost exactly identical to 1937, but are much more rare because 1938 was an economic recession year. This is a solid old car. I hope you can return it to stock appearance by finding a trunk lid. Looks like you will need to add some new sheet metal below the back window.

[@Rustwrangler]

It’s not my project, but will be a solid start for whoever buys it.

[@peterwigboldy8996]

😅 Hi

[@seano2178]

You could sonic clean the master cylinder to clean it completely.

[@shandogdad]

Back in my hippie days I almost bought a 38 Chevy coupe. Those 216's were almost indestructible. This makes me wish I had bought that 38.

[@Rustwrangler]

They’re still out there, buy one now, you’d probably really enjoy it!

[@ronniepapepape1629]

It feel good when you get one running again.

[@Rustwrangler]

It sure does!

[@Tayson910]

Hi this is Tayson I like your videos

[@Rustwrangler]

Hey Tayson! Thank you!

[@user-wo9bk5jk4x]

Cool😊

[@garyjubar5733]

I remember back in the fifties and early sixties going to the local dirt track races and they all ran these.

[@Rustwrangler]

Nice! That would have been something to see!

[@mikeblythe5558]

Dark blue 1938 Chevrolet Coupe was our family car from 1938 thru 1951. As a new baby I was brought home from the hospital in this vehicle. This connection made your video very interesting to me. Thanks

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you for sharing! That’s really neat!

[@chriskidwell7518]

Great ol car brings old memories of me and friends getting a 1941 Pontiac business coup silver streak. Flat head 6 hadn't ran in 30 plus years. We got her running, drove everywhere on the country backroads, we had a ball. I have comment or suggestion that original trunk lid may still be around with original owners. They have hung up in a barn or out building. I know if was me I would check it out ?

[@Rustwrangler]

Sounds like you guys had a blast with that Pontiac, I’ll have to check with my buddy to see if he asked about the trunk lid section. I agree, it would be nice to get that!

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

Nice car, I like the orange Dodge in the background too!

[@Rustwrangler]

Thank you, the orange dodge is my brothers, I’m doing a little work on it for him, it quit on him a few years back, and while it was sitting, someone smashed a bunch of the windows in.

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

@@Rustwrangler That sucks, not easy windows to find. I had a 73 with a 318 and 727. I like the Dodge trucks with the birdbath hood. The 38 can be a sweet roller.

[@Rustwrangler]

@@stoveboltlvr3798 he actually ended up ordering windows for the dodge through “classic parts” online, they fit pretty decent too.

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

@@Rustwrangler That's cool someone still makes them.

[@bridgetown45]

One thing which I remembered about this model is that the propellor was enclosed in a tube.

[@Mark-vd8oi]

NICE CAR..WORTH ENJOYING..DONT MATTER WHAT ENGINGE. AS LONG AS ITS CHEVY. ..MAYBE A PONTIAC 455. THAT WOULD BE KOOL... I LIKE IT.. IT IS A KOOL .. IF U CANT FIND A WILLYS COUPE. ANY OF THEY OLD STUFF WILL DO.. motor looks good. 3. 2 n a cam.. A little rustoleium. N a roller. .Hot rod black... WHAT EVER U DO ..ITS A SUPER KOOL CAR. CLEAN..

[@charleswestbrook118]

My brother had a 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Business Coupe he left in the garage at my Mom's house. One winter I slipped and broke my leg, so I ordered a wiring harness for it (from an ad in the paper version of Hemmings) and rewired it from stem to stern. Everything worked fine, but before I could move on to getting it running again, I got a job then met my wife, so I never got back to it.

[@Rustwrangler]

Nice, does he still have it?

[@goldenretriever1508]

You didn't finish the story. So, what happened to the car?

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

It is just hard to kill one of those '38 model Chevy Car-Trucks.

[@Rustwrangler]

No kidding! They built them tough!

[@RobertoMendez-jp9db]

TUVE UN CHEVROLET 1951 Y ERA EL MISMO MOTOR NOBLE SUAVE Y PAREJITO. ESTOS AUTOS DEBIERAN VOLVERLOS A CONSTRUIR CON ALGUNAS TECNOLOGIAS NUEVAS Y SERIAN MAS ESPECTACULARES.

[@terryeustice5399]

Love those straight 6 cylinders. Sounds wonderful. Great will it start video. And did it With minimum effort. Do they have the trunk for it? Sounds like the float is sticking this last start. Or the plugs are fouling. Thanks for sharing 💯👍👊

[@Rustwrangler]

I did have some fouling on the plugs, and I don’t think the trunk section is available, but I’m going to ask my buddy and see if he asked about it.

[@angelitavaldellon7600]

Never tighten the lug nuts in a 1 2 3 etc. order. You can warp the brake drums that way. Instead, use 1 4 2 5 3 6.

[@tedlawrence4189]

I am 74. This car looks just the same as I feel. Lol.

[@glassontherocks]

You made me laugh when you rocked the steering to see if it unlocked the ignition. That's modern steering with key attached.

[@johnl1685]

The sound of that engine is awesome!

[@fredhusk]

NICE UNIT....

[@user-vx1rj8vu7o]

Those carbs are great for leaking. I wouldn’t be afraid to put a little 2 stroke oil in the gas it will help the rings out. Been messing with my 46 1 ton DS pickup lately she likes a little 2 stroke oil.

[@Rustwrangler]

Yea I like that idea, planning on mixing a batch of 2 stroke gas just for that reason.

[@paulbennell3313]

I was impressed that the clutch wasn't seized up! I've had cars sitting for 6 months and that happened.

[@Rustwrangler]

Yea, I was thankful that it wasn’t!

[@davidstill4321]

Nice video RW!I don't have anything that old but I do own a 56 Belair hardtop and a 55big window short bed.A thought occured to me what kind of American history was going on at the time that coupe was made and unfortunately the main thing that came to mind was Hitler was ramping up for WW2.Also I wondered what life was like for the people who were running firewood in that little coupe coming out of the depression era.Being direct kin of grapes of wrath people from Oklahoma and Texas respectfully I was told as a young California born boy those were lean times.Anyway I enjoyed it and a shout out to all the gearheads out there and their projects.Thank you.

[@Rustwrangler]

@@davidstill4321 someone else commented that back in the thirties only trucks could buy fuel, so that may have been a big reason for cutting the back up like that, as well as the truck license plates.

[@WilliamEllison]

I like what you are doing here. Please remember to take care of yourself. Eat clean.

[@garymorris5974]

Cool Car

[@angelitavaldellon7600]

Amazing that the fuel pump still works.

[@Rustwrangler]

I did end up replacing the cork gasket for the glass fuel pump bowl, but other than that, it worked great.