First, condolences to you about your friend and I heard in your voice in your first video that this car is very special to you and no matter what you're going to fix this car now that you're finally able to buy it. So I'm for one will watch you to.. Oh, by the way now you're a young man... I was in the Marines at your birth time. God bless you young man.. 👏👏👏🙏🙏
@Incomplete6230 Is it hard to show some dang respect. Geez are you that ignorant that you are heartless. From the Marine and the USS DISCOVERY. I say SHUT UP!!! Leatn how to be respectful. Oh NO where did USS DISCOVERY say he was a war monger.
In around 1956 as a little kid of 5, I rode in the backseat of a 39 Chevy 4-door all the way to Florida from Southern Missouri. From what I remember, it was a great running car and made it all the way without problems. watching you work on this car brings back good memories.
My Brother and I bought one just like this in the late sixties for just a couple of hundred bucks. It seemed to run good, but had a slight miss. We found the two middle cylinders had crossed wires. After correcting the wires, it was one of the sweetest running motors I have ever experienced.
My dad was a mechanic when these were the mainstay cars in the '30s and '40s. I recall watching him adjust the valves while the engine was running, must have been some good feel with that. He was adamant that the dipper lubrication of the rods was best served with 20w oil, his opinion at the time. He took on a Mobil Oil franchise in the late '40s when detergent oils became the state of the art. Good luck with this ol' Chevy, it sure pulled through staying relatively useful after all that storage. Would actually be a decent driver nowadays.
I've heard the argument that the most accurate valve adjustment is done HOT and RUNNING. There may be something to that, as long as the spec you are using is taken into account.
You made my monday morning with this video. I know it made you happy to bring that stovebolt 6 back to life without too much trouble. Yes, go ahead and replace the glass and rubber, do the needed bodywork and do a Johnathan interior. Paint it nice, don't worry about re-chroming anything and drive the ol gal. Congratulations on another good barnfind !
I had a 1950 Chevrolet for 17 years back in the 70's and 80's. I was surprised to see what looks like the same 216.5 ci engine. Congrats on getting it running so well.
My grandad had a 1939 Chevrolet, which he bought at the start of WWII. I believe he drove it until he bought his 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline out in Detroit. In the early 50's, he started buying Oldsmobiles, and, I believe, the last car he had owned was an Olds. He passed away in a home fire in 1961. Anyhow, I have several pictures of his 1939, with he, my grandmother, & my mom, who was just a kid at the time, posing around it, back when it was basically brand new. Your video reminded me of his car. Thanks for the video.
Years ago I pulled a 54 out of a barn, got it fired up and drove it all summer. Had a big dent in the back fender too. I was a able to get the brakes up just by adding fluid over a few days. It leaked out the wheel cyls at first and bleed itself. Good luck with it. To bad folks can't smell it, firing up a long sitting car has a odor you don't forget....
I was born in 1941. The first car I had the use of was My Grandaddy's (died 1943) 1938 Chevrolet 2 door Master Deluxe which was solid as a tank but had seen some hard service in its life by the time I took it over around '54 when I was about 13. It was only slightly different from your '39. I was always an avid mechanic and recall that it had a 6 volt system, Knee actiion shock absorbing front suspension (big problems!) and a clock in the lid of the glove compartment door! It had no heater and one of the first things I did was add one which was a wonderful thing! Ah the memories! Love your channel and wish I was close by to give you a hand with stuff!
I really like your first start videos. It always brings a lump to my throat to hear one of those old engines that have been sitting neglected for many years, brought back to life and be ready to go back to doing what they were meant to do. In this case, I am reminded of what another old RU-vidr said in one of his old videos, "It says Chevrolet. It almost HAS to run!"
You have no idea how much I would love to buy this car. I am 75 now and my very first car was a 1939 Chev Standard (4 door), which I bought when I was just 17. Thanks for sharing the video. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺.
Hi from Sydney Australia I have a fully restored 39 Chev Australian made full body Ute. The vehicle runs like a charm and sits at 50 MPH on the H'Way all the time . Great cars were made back then. I am the 3rd owner . the vehicle has 78k original on the speedo. Purchased the car back in 1987. Thanks for the vid ,it brings back a lot of memories foe me.
As a boy, my Dad had an old '39 Chevy parked in the yard. It was 1950 and I was 7 years old. This old Chevy was my playground. It was mostly my stagecoach. I'd tie an old clothesline around the hood ornament and sit on the roof and pretend I was racing across the prairie. It was in this 'stagecoach' I learned to shift gears and pretend I was racing other imaginary race cars. Thanks for the fond memories.
Hey guys, it's so cool to see the way you get these cars out of their resting place. When I was a kid we had a little old lady drive that car past our house all the time . 39 Chevy 2dr. You could hear the gears whining as she drove by. That was about 1960. Thanks for filming these events.!!!
"And there's a cat." :) Nothing escapes Jonathan's notice, that's for sure. While I'm sad that your friend had to pass on before you could get this car, I'm sure he's pleased that you've got it running again. I look forward to your review on how it drives as original condition as possible, even w/radial tires. This is a neat machine as is - as for how much money you invest in her, that's up to you. As long as it's safe & comfortable for you to drive, that's what counts. And you're a young man yet - me, I'm a little younger than that last inspection sticker, but a little older than you - and I appreciate the older cars. I think they've got more of a soul, more character, & you don't need a PhD. to figure them out. Thanks for sharing!
STOVEBOLT 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can fix and keep running with a matchbook, point file, bailing wire and spit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great find JW and kudos to keep this barn find alive................................
If that had happened today with a new car it would have been totaled. People today don’t realize the steel that was in these old vehicles. You could kick it anyplace and I doubt you could put a dent in it , even in the outside door panel, need to see one too believe it. I’m 77Yrs old, I was raised with them😁🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My favorite cruising car was a 68 2-door Caprice with the 396 4bbl. My left arm rested on the top of the door just fine unless my GF was along then I steered with my left and had my right over her shoulder and down her shirt. Ahhh 1979,what a good year for cruising and such! No cellphone back then but I could multi-task when motivated!
My grandfathers 1940 Chevrolet special deluxe is being done up at the moment, a late graduation gift from my grandmother. Never thought I’d see it run again. Thanks for bringing these old tugs back.
Those old Chevy sixes run forever. I got one off a scrap pile in a local salvage yard years ago for free. It was still a good engine.... I needed the head for another project, but the block was still nice. Gave the assembled block to a friend, that put it in a 54 he had, that had a cracked block. It's still running, and that was 30+ years ago. That 39 Chevy is a cool, solid old car! Drive it as is..... after repairing the crash damage of course.
WOW! Jonathan, I was born in august of 1939 and I am watching you starting this wonderful 81-- year old Chevrolet. I just looked at a 1939 Chevy down the road from where I live in Vancouver Washington at a place called Classic Auto, priced at 2 thousand dollars. I have already bought more cars than we have room for also my age has sorta snuck up on me and it is a bit limited what work I can do! But I sure do enjoy watching your channel THANK YOU SO MUCH And may the good LORD Bless and KEEP you and yours! Auto.
I loved the background story on this car, thanks for sharing it with us. This is such a cool looking car and I hope you keep it. Looks great after pressure washing. She's a runner!
Don't know if it will work on car windows, but we use a big heating pad to take the "milk" out of windows on some airplanes. Maybe put them in the oven on warm? The pad we use is controlled to just below 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
I like this car, it's 81 years old, totally distinctive today. ~ Putting less expensive on radial tires makes good sense, I don't understand the purist who insist on putting period correct bias ply tires on, and like you said, they don't drive as well and wander all over the road. Thanks, great video, blessings.
Love it. We got dads 48 Chevy 1 ton out of the cow pasture this past summer where it had sat since 1988. It has a non original 58 model 235. We were surprised it wasn't stuck and had it running in about an hour and after a little more work drove it up the mountain to the house under its own power. Sure wish I could afford to restore it for my dad. I don't think I've seen my dad look more proud than when that old motor started up. For now we're going through the brakes,fuel system,wiring,oil leaks and tires just to make it go down the road so maybe he can get a couple of years of enjoyment out of it before he gets too old.
n Feb '64 (age 16) I rescued a 39MDL from a local junkyard. Previous owner had removed the running boards, painted the wheels copper and installed "Port a Walls" on the tires. Mine had a vacuum assist shift. I seem to recall either a soft or worn out fuel pump lobe on the cam so an electric fuel pump was installed. Rear tail light lenses were fashioned from a toy - Mattel's vacu-form with a jar cap as the mold. Good luck. Narragansett Bay.
That’s very cool. Memories!! My father had a 38 Chevy Deluxe, and it was SWEET! All original, and all in primer and ready to go back together. That was in the 70’s. His “Retirement” project when he retired from the Army.
It never ceases to amaze me that they start. Reminds me of when I was a young man and walking around old cars like this in the 1970's. I thought they were old then, but they were only 20 or 30 years old,. Anyway me and my buddies would be looking over a $75 to a $150 car and, saying is it locked up?
It really is amazing. Cars back then did not require a computer to run because they just ran. So simple. So awesome to see him bringing these old cars back to life.
Dear Johnathan W. Unbelievable, simply unbelievable how smooth this engine runs. It was self healing even with zero compression on one cylinder. And that carburetor!!! I can't believe it! Fully functional after sitting nearly 50 years? It's so unbelievable and miraculous that I think your friend helped from above! He simply wants to see his pal drive his former pride! Uuuh... somebody is cutting onions suddenly... :-) ;-) Maybe it will become a keeper if you like to drive this fantastic looking automobile!? Who knows... As always: Thanks a lot for making taping editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health.
Dear@@aliceshaw8265 Yes, Sir, you are absolutely right! I couldn't have said it better. Over here in Germany it's definitely the same. If you don't want to kill your gas tank or carburator on any combustion engine driven and not often used garden/forest tool, you are forced to buy that extremely expensive special gasoline that don't deteriorates so fast. I have to deal with really expensive damages on my big bike because of bad old gasoline also. It's a shame. Best regards luck and health.
Hey Johnathan, That's amazing how well that motor sounds and how easy it started up. Great. This is going to make someone a great old car. Very cool. Later
36 was the first 216 an 35 I think is when they did hydraulic brakes, the door posts were changed to steel around 38 or 9 as these were my first rigs except they were trucks of sorts. I hated doing those shimes for a long time but got better at it on the rods, mains were incerts except their 4 cylinder flat head in the twenties as a uncle had a tractor made from one, originally a truck and someone had welded the centers from truck to a tractor tire/wheel. I'm very happy that it ran so well as no., 6 surprised me. Your getting to the point of making a decision on being a dealer for old cars or not as it is very lucrative business. Your busier than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, cheers friend
This brings back fond memories of a great math teacher I had in high school. A Mr. Don Clark, who drove a 1939 Chevy 4 door the whole time I was in high school, 1958-62!! Great video!
My condolences regarding your good friend. That old Chevy runs amazing for sitting 48 years. Unbelievable plus with the exception of the rear body damage the car to be from 1939 is in really great shape. I know this car will hold a very special place in your heart and I hope you keep this car for yourself and your wife. Your videos are always so awesome and I hope your health has been improving since you quit smoking. You have so many people that think the world of you that you'll never meet but you'll have us in spirit
Man that brings back memories I bought off of my brother a 1939 Chevy Master 85 exactly like that one back in the early 70s. It ran real good but it had a long crack in the block. Not knowing how to fix it right due I was only 14 and my dad said it would take alot to fix it. I ended up selling it years later and bought a 50 Ford F1.
Amazing how well she ran without doing any work on her. They just don't build a reliable car like that anymore. Great find and buy Jonathan. Can not wait to see what you all do with that gem
Jonathan, I'm glad to hear the excitement and the calm confidence back in your voice. It seems like that you're starting to get past the hump with the smoking issue. I'm glad that this old car started for you I can tell that you and Jack were good friends. These old stove bolts are great cars! Looking forward for you doing the first drive with it on some fresh rubber after you've rebuilt that rear section of the body.
It brought a smile to my face, happy to hear it run. I can see you guys really love your work, keep those videos coming I know its a lot of work but you can see by the comments we sure enjoy them! My first was a '41 Chevy sedan, owned by a farmer who drove it in his field.
Seriously amazing work, Johnathan. The average person wouldn't even look at most cars, in a yard situation. Don't have the tools, and the skill set. Granted, a car from the late 30's won't pass a "modern" vehicle inspection; ie. no safety belts or air bags. But you really knock 'em dead with those repair skills, J. Awesome.
Just an FYI on a tip I’ve learned in my years of messing with cars. I use 2cycle gas mix in a little squirt bottle on an engine that’s been sitting. The extra lubrication makes me feel better about the dry start. Enjoy and good lu k with the car. My Dad’s first car in 1946 was a 39 Chevy Master Deluxe!
Johnathan , Appreciate you inviting all of us OLDER GEARHEADS along on these videos. I just knew that Ol Chev would start. The old cars buddy. And like you I would love to test drive the Ol Cars in OEM condition. I do not like the nice older cars being hot rodded it aint natural.
My Dad has an old 1935 Chevrolet Master Deluxe. The engine would bend the push rods when starting, unless the valves were broke free and lubed before cranking. Probably going to find a new home for it soon, my Dad is way too old to mess with it. Delamination of the glass is common on older cars.
Great work Jonathan! I see that after years of learning and working, your years of experience has brought you "good luck" on making these old girls run again We sometimes make our luck! again Great work!!
Jonathan always says, "that's not a problem" but when you can do engine, transmission, suspension, body, interior, paint, frame and glass and make it all work there just isn't much left on those pre-computer cars left to be a problem. For most of the rest of us it might be a problem but when you have no fear and believe in yourself and add that to years of experience there just aren't many problems. Love the channel to see what else he can drag out of woods and give a fighting chance to live again.
Seeing stuff like this is what i have been dreaming about all my life. Bringing back old vehicles that have been sitting for 20+ years and running them. everytime i see an old vehicle sitting i wanna make it run. Thank you
My dad had a 38 that he bought and cut off the back after the doors and made it into an El Camino that he used on our farm. He got rid of it once we got an Allis Chalmers and a trailer. Good stuff. Happy Motoring.
I was 21 years old when that chevy was parked in that barn in 1971. Glad to see it in the light of day.I love old cars of that era my Dad had a 1937 Buick at home when he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and fought in europe during ww2. The body style was still the same on that 37 Buick as it was on that '39 Chevy. It looks alot nicer after being pressure washed. I think if you had a Kaufman starter and fired cartridges you would get it to start (Flight of the Phoenix) Well at least after you got it started that engine didnt have any knocking sounds so it's obviously a good engine.
Alright then. Good start! Waitin to hear those trumpets now. The arm rest thing. I know what you mean. I’ve had cars with no arm satisfaction. This is quite a beast, but with benevolent charm tool. Thanks.
My Dad and Mom had this exact model car in WWII! Bought in Milwaukee! they drove to Louisiana, then PULLED THEIR HOUSE TRAILER to Washington state for the end of the war. Dad always wished he had never gotten rid of the '39!
That 216 runs really good for the odds stacked against it: inferior oils back then, splash lubrication, poured babbitt bearings, no original oil filter. Take it very easy on that engine.
I know what you are saying, they won't take a lot of hot rodding! 50 miles per hour is pushing it, nice to see that little carter carb. when I was a kid, my dad used a 235 on his welder! much better engine!
Hola amigos, soy Jorge de Argentina, este fue mi primer auto a los 17 años, viéndolos a ustedes haciéndolo arrancar, me hacen acordar al mio, lo restaure, y un día llego al trabajo, y el auto no estaba mas, me lo vendió mi tío lo odio, por eso, ya se me paso la bronca,igual ahora estoy restaurando un chevy super modelo 73, pero cuando lo termine lo permuto por un 1939 sin dudarlo gracias, que lindos recuerdos me traen.
I vaguely recall my father's '39 Chev. He traded it for a '54 Chev, which he then traded for a '57 Chev. Dad's '39 Chev is one of my first memories. I was born in 1952. Good luck with your '39.
Good work, Jonathan, that good old Chevrolet straight six, will be going down the road soon, after the brakes are working! 😀 I will always enjoy the sound of an inline six running and revving!😊
Hi Jonathan, great video it reminded me of my first car, a 52 Chevy with 6 cylinder engine and 2 speed Powerglide trans with no automatic kick-down in 1962. It was only 10 years old, but had been abused and needed valves and rings. It there was enough power in the battery to turn it over three times, it would start, when I pulled the head, I found all 6 exhaust valves badly burned with none sealing and No.1 and No.6 more than half gone. I replaces all exhaust valved, reground the intakes and put it back together. Should have replaced the rings also, as it only ran about 50 miles on a quart of oil and threw a bearing when I went 3 days without adding oil. $65.00 for the car, $35 for gaskets & valves, should have done the rings as that would have added only about another $25 or so.
I've been pondering something from the mid 30s as a daily. Leaning heavily towards a Ford four door, I love the burble of the flatty. And all I'd really do to it would be to put a 12v socket in the dash to run modern phone chargers, a nice radio, seatbelts, air conditioning, and...well that's about it really. I'm even planning on driving it on bias tires. I basically want to drive a time capsule everywhere, and something about those gorgeous streamline curves of the 30s coupled with the sweet burble of a healthy flathead V8 make me gravitate towards a Ford.
TestECull I had s 1950 Ford F2 that was a 3/4 ton truck with a flathead, 239 CID and a 4 speed crash box trans. It was fun, but it can get old. The rear end went out, I replaced it with a 1970 model 1/2 ton rear changed all the brakes to half ton much easier to find parts for. The one thing I really didn't like was in cold weather it was tough to get warm . Wasn't insulated very well though I did add some to the top, back and doors.
@@bertgrau9246 I've been driving an '85 F150 for over a decade now. I don't really have that problem. Put me in a vehicle I genuinely enjoy being in and I'm happy driving the thing for decades on end. Also won't have any issues with keeping up with traffic like you would have with that F2. the sedans had much more ameniable gearing in the back since they weren't expected to tow heavy loads. They'll keep up with modern freeway traffic just fine.
For future reference, on an engine that has set for a lot of years, you should always put several drops of oil in the spark plug holes. The cylinder walls are dry and the rings can not allow the cylinder to have good compression.. I had a ‘36 Dodge Brothers that had set for over 20 years. After putting the oil in the cylinders, she fired up. Smoked like a , you know what, but that cleared up.
Watched until you stopped pressure washing, then you said the front windshield Is shot, I had to stop and comment that the windshield and stickers would look good In a frame hanging proudly on a wall In your shop somewhere.. Had to say this Jonathan.. OK, now back to the video..Like thousands of others, I / we love your attention to explaining everything, your knowledge of cars older than you, why even 9 years older than me - lol - great work my friend, great work Indeed.. (Ian) - UK
What fun 👍🏼 I love the oil can 😎. We always went with 8 volt batteries in the six volt cars even adjusted the voltage regulator a time or two . Great show 👍🏼👍🏼 thank you
i grew up liking fords but traded around in chevys the 39 model with those big head ligts was a favorite but never had them the 39 model every thing was just one model too early. I had 3 440 and 41 models one with a gasoline heater it was the one we went places in in the cold weather am enjoying seeing this i know these old engines
