Back to the barn with a '38
 

A couple years ago I sold my Model As and other things in life had to take center stage. So, I've been away from the Ford Barn for quite a while.



However, in December we added a new member to the family. 1938 Ford Standard. Near as I can tell, it appears that the car was "rebuilt" 2 times. Some of the modifications/repairs appear to have been done in the '60s. Other work was done more recently(guessing late 90s, early 2000s). At this point I would consider it to be in 'driver' condition(or rather it will be when I get the ignition/wiring issue resolved, haha). When I bought it, I intended to redo the poor bodywork and go through the interior. But, the more I look at the old girl, the more inclined I am to just do some maintenance items and fix a few small things that are bugging me and drive it.
So far I have just greased it, removed the hub caps, and installed a 2" drop spring on the front.
The picture is from the day a friend hauled the car home for me.



Once the weather gets a little bit better so I can comfortably work in the garage I expect I will be more active here again.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Welcome back! Looks good to me, drive and enjoy. Our weather has been improving and I'm also getting the itch to get on the road soon. Maybe swaps and car shows this year as well.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Nice car.....I like it !!....when you start driving it, look in the mirror.....I’m sure the guy looking back at you will be smiling !!......Mark

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Love it. Enjoy

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Drive it like you stole it ! Looks perfect to me !

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Looks nice. Enjoy!

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Love the 38 std! Welcome back.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Congrats. That will make a great driving car. I like that it has some mild hop ups. Is it still on mech brakes or has it been converted to hydraulics?

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Welcome back, looks like a fine driver to me, clean it up, lube it up, make it safe and drive it.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

"In December we added a new member to the family. 1938 Ford Standard."
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1614612725

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1614612734

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Somebody put '39 juice brakes on it years ago. I have a master cylinder and pair of wheel cylinders on the bench to replace when it warms up a little(old ones leak a fair bit).

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

What a GR8 38. You got a real neat driver.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Good on ya. Off to the ice cream store you go soon

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

This will definitely be a bit of a learning experience for me. With the exception of the Model As(which I never got on the road), everything else I have owned has had at least '60s/'70s technology incorporated in the brakes/driveline.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS, she’s beautiful.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Very nice !

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Looks great ! Enjoy!

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Got it up on jack stands to repair/inspect the brakes. When it was switched to juice brakes somebody threw away all the park brake pieces(rear cables, actuator parts, etc). I know I need the actuator pieces inside the drum and their hardware, cables, the U piece that connects the 2 rear cables, and clevises(?). Is there anything else that I will need to reinstall the rear portion of the park brake?

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

The rear cable coming out of the backing plates is a single cable. The U piece connects it to the cable from the hand brake. When getting the new cable make sure you get the small clips that fit over the cable to keep the springs on the cable from pulling through the backing plates. Two clips are about $2-3. Also the cable from the hand brake to the back cable may need to be changed if the car still has the cable for the mechanical brakes.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

I really like it, I see a lot of fun for you in the future.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Looks like you have found a nice old Ford to get you back into the hobby. Welcome back to the Fordbarn.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Also, since I will be repacking the wheel bearings, is this grease sufficient?
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/data:...C0Cg/+WH//2Q==
I already have most of a can of this and I had planned on using it. Then I noticed that it said "disc brake" wheel bearings specifically and wondered why that might be.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

I recently went through the same dilemma when I repacked the wheel bearings on a 1959 travel trailer. Best I could tell after doing some research was the disc brake rated wheel bearing grease is rated for a higher temp. If it were mine I'd use it. I should add the trailer has factory drum brakes.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

I'd guess they added disc to the description for advertising. last I figured disc brakes don't have bearings and the axles/wheels turn the same revolutions... Pack it with grease and go.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Got to agree with you Tinker. Unsurprisingly when I went to get grease for the travel trailer the "Disc brake" grease was more expensive. That's when I wondered why and did my research. There's an old saying in marketing. "Watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves". Kaching Kaching.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

I agree with the idea of fixing the stuff that needs it, clean it up as much as possible and then drive it and enjoy the heck out of it.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

I have the actuator parts on the way now. Hopefully, I can have the cables and whatever else I need here by next week and get the car back on the ground.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Please keep us updated. Always a pleasure when progress and/or a conclusion is posted.

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

Got my actuator pieces and about 1/2 of the new parts I ordered. Of course, a few of the pieces are back ordered... until mid to late April. Aaarrgh! So, while I can at least get the master cylinder and rear wheel cylinders repaired/replaced, it looks like it's going to be on jack stands for another month before I have all the e-brake pieces and can put everything back together. At least I'm not being rushed. Lol

Re: Back to the barn with a '38
 

A couple more questions


1) I've read that, when you don't know what grease was used to pack the bearings, you should clean all the old grease up well before repacking the bearings. My question is what with? Gas? Kerosine? Mineral Spirits?

I've read a bunch of opinions elsewhere on the internet. Curious what you all thought.


2) E-brake return spring? In all the pictures I've looked at there is just the spring on the handle and the springs on the top of the brake shoes. Is that it?

I know on my '50s and '60s vehicles there has been a dedicated return spring for the e-brake cable.