Technical Info for '39-'40 | |
by Barry Weeks, Harold Compton and Charles Hoback | |
- For Chevrolet's only - A huge thanks to Barry Weeks, Harold Compton and Charles Hoback for information provided in this section for the tecnical specifications for the 1939 and 1940 Chevrolet trucks. Barry is the '40 Commercial Vehicle Technical Advisor for the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America. Mr. Compton and Mr. Hoback former TA's. |  |
The Engine || Casting Numbers || Engine Numbers || VIN || Transmission and Rear Axle || Wheel Base
1939 Standard Colors || 1940 Color Specifications || 1939 Truck Equipment plus options || Unit Capacities
The Engine
The durability and soundness of the design of the "Stovebolt Six" is evidenced by the fact that it was produced in the same basic design from 1929 to 1960. Of course, minor design changes included adding a fourth main bearing and insert bearings along the way. Here are some specs on the venerable 216 cid engine to help you:Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
Assembly Plants with Number | 1 = Flint, Michigan 2 = Tarrytown, New York 3 = St. Louis, MO 5 = Kansas City, MO 6 = Oakland, CA 8 = Atlanta, GA 9 = Norwood, OH 14 = Baltimore, MD 20 = Van Nuys, CA 21 = Janesville, WI |
Here's how to decode a VIN:
6KC074567*
Break this *hypothetical VIN into these parts:
- 6 ... is the plant identification number (see chart to the right)
- KC ... is the year and model
- 07 ... is the month built
- 4567 ... is the number off the assembly line
So, that particular VIN (not a real VIN) belongs to a 1940 1/2-ton built in July, 1939, at the Oakland, CA, plant. It was the 4,567th truck off the line.
For an actual '40 truck example, try 21 KC 07 11077. This is Barry Weeks' '40 made at the Janesville,Wisconsin plant in July of '40.
- 21 is Janesville
- K is 1940
- C is 1/2 ton
- 07 stands for July (7th month)
- 11077 is the sequence number to come out of that plant
Someone told Barry those numbers start at 1001, but he's not sure. Barry's canopy is 3KC0514450 (St. Louis plant, May of '40). Note high sequence number, due to being late in the model year run. Production ended in August, but Barry doesn't think many were made in that month because they would have to re-tool for the upcoming model change. Barry also has a 21KC0610891. He has some extra titles, including one for a '39. (21 JC 10 1281 - '39 1/2 ton made at Janesville in October of '38) and a 21WA102415 title, too. (Janesville, '40 1-1/2 ton, short wheelbase, Oct. of '39). Big trucks (utilities) use different letters than light duty (commercial) trucks.
| 1st Gear | 2.94:1 | JC,KC (1/2-ton) | 113.5 inches | |
| 2nd Gear | 1.68:1 | JD,KD (3/4-ton) | 123.75 inches | |
| 3rd Gear | 1:1 | JE,KE (3/4-ton HD) | 123.75 inches | |
| Reverse | 2.94:1 | |||
| Rear axle type | Semi-floating | JC,KC (1/2-ton) | 6.00x16x4 ply | |
| Gear type | Spiral bevel | JD,KD (3/4-ton) | 7.50x15x6 ply | |
| Ratio | 4.11:1 (3.82:1 was optional) | JE,KE (3/4-ton HD) | 7.50x15x6 ply | |
'39 Standard Colors
Some background on paint and colors -- By Keith Salter| CAB & BOX | STRIPE |
| Black | Silver |
| Swift's Red | Silver |
| Export Blue | Silver |
| Brewster Green | Gigolo Green |
| Apple Green | White |
| White | Emerald Green |
| Medium Cream | Black |
| Aluminum | Export Blue |
| Armour Yellow | Export Blue |
| Boatswain Blue | Regal Red |
| Omaha Orange | Chess Blue |
| Circassion Brown* | Medium Cream |
see also: Painting Your '39
* For CSUB (with Airedale Brown insert panels)
Belt colors are not known for '39. Fenders, running boards, headlight buckets, wheels and undergear are black on all trucks. All cabs have smooth Thunder Gray interior finish
'40 Color Specifications
(From page 78 of the Chevrolet Service News of 1939, provided by Barry Weeks) "The following colors will be provided during 1940 on all Passenger Cars and trucks, except the Cabriolet and Station Wagon which will be treated separately."All colors are Metallic Duco on Passenger Cars except the Maroon, Black, and Kingston Grey, which colors are High Lustre Duco.
"Striping on Hood and Body Moldings of the Special Delux Passenger Model is not used as the model has stainless Hood and Body Moldings."
Black | Omaha Orange St. Duco | Chess Blue St. Duco | |
Swifts Red | Molding Black Duco | Argent Silver St. Duco | |
Brewster Green | Cream Med. St. Duco | Emerald Green St. Duco | |
Boatswain Blue | Argent St. Duco | Totem Scarlet St. Duco | |
Apple Green | Cream Med. St. Duco | Emerald Green St. Duco | |
Armour Yellow | Omaha Orange St. Duco | Molding Black Duco | |
Cream Med. | Export Blue St. Duco | Chess Blue St. Duco | |
Export Blue | Argent St. Duco | Totem Scarlet St. Duco | |
Omaha Orange | Chess Blue St. Duco | White Striping Duco | |
Aluminum (Silver) | Totem Scarlet St. Duco | Molding Black Duco | |
Hollywood Tan (Oak. Only) | Molding Black Duco | White Striping Duco | |
Bordeaux Maroon (T. & Balt.) | Molding Black Duco | Gold Bronze Powder | |
White | Kildaire Green St. Duco | White Striping Duco |
| PPG Color Offsets for '40 Trucks May also be used on some '36-'46 trucks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
'39 Truck Equipment
| Standard Equipment: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine, 216.5 CID | Harmonic Balancer | AC oil pressure guage |
| Oil Cleaner, AC screen type | Water Thermostat, Harrison | Vulcanized fabric fan belt |
| Thermostatic heat control | Carter 11/4" downdraft carburetor | AC-46 spark plugs |
| Delco Remy 100 amp, 15 plate battery | Delco-Remy starter | Headlamps (sealed beams began in 1940) |
| Foot-controlled dimmer switch | Safety glass | Defroster openings |
| Hydraulic Brakes | Chassis lube fittings (hydraulic) | Front & rear AC shocks |
| Hand brake | 3-speed transmission | Spare tire and wheel |
| F & R bumpers | F & R license plate brackets | Tool set and jack |
| Horn (Vibrator) |
Optional Equipment | ||||
| Oil Bath air cleaner | Rear Fenders | HD 4-speed transmission | Vacuum booster brakes | Back of cab wheel carrier |
| Economy Engine | HD radiator | Double acting rear springs | Double acting shock absorbers | De Luxe platform body skirt |
| Long running boards | Low gear axle | Two-speed rear axle | Long rearview mirror bracket | Frame side-member plate |
| Sign Panel | Frame extension | Screen equipment (canopy express) | Knee-action shocks (sedan delivery, coupe pickup) | |
| Steel platform | Aux. Springs | Cowl and dash with windshield | Right hand front seat and rearview mirror (for canopy express and panel trucks, I think) | |
Unit Capacities
| 1/2-Ton | 3/4-Ton | 1-Ton/1 1/2-Ton | ||
| Crankcase | 5 Qts | 5 Qts | ||
| 3-Spd Trans | 1.5 Pts | 1.5 Pts | ||
| 4-Spd Trans | 6.5 Pts | 6.5 Pts | ||
| Rear Axle | 4.5 Pts | 4.5 Pts*** |
* Use 20-W when temperature is above -10 degrees F, 10-W when below -10 degrees F. Be careful not to use modern, multigrade engine oils as they have been known to leave deposits and cause buildup on the cast iron pistons of the 216.
** When extremely low winter temperatures are encountered, use S.A.E. 80. For heavy Summer use in hot temperatures, use S.A.E. 140
*** For 3/4-Ton and 3/4-Ton Special, use S.A.E. 90 Hypoid Lubricant
v. November 2000
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