1938 carb replacement

[Giff]

Hey fellows wich carter can I use on a 38 Lasaiie?
Thanks

[Tom Beaver]

Carter WD-0 392S was supplied originally, the replacement carburetor is listed as a WD-0 460S, which came on the 1940 cars.  A WD-0 423S, used on 39 cars will work along with the WD-0 506S from 1941.  The 460S or a 506S, if you can find one, is probably the best bet.

Tom Beaver

[Steve Passmore]

To add to what Tom has said, you can fit many different ones on these engines but they all have slight differences. It will depend on your authenticity requirements and how much you're prepared to modify.   Buick 320ci engine Carters have a vacuum start switch attached and have no float chamber overflow. Some others may have differences in the accelerator linkage. What are you after achieving Giff?

[Giff]

Mine has the Stromberg and don't seem to perform as it should was thinking of trying a carter if I can find one to rebuild,also when looking are the numbers cast in or on a tag? Not been around many old Cadilliacs but lotd of experience on Model T's and early fords and Chevy's
Thanks

[Steve Passmore]

Most have the number cast into the bottom flange but I have seen some without any numbers. I have a re-buildable Carter from a Buick which I removed from a V8 Cadillac. Shipping would be an issue.

[Giff]

My acc pump was bad and I bought a new one but it is hard to push down, I have to override the spring to make it squirt, mine has the smell pump.

[Steve Passmore]

That leather Acc pump should not be hard to push down Giff. There are two possibilities.
You may have folded up the leather when assembling the top cover (it happens) The other thing,  it could be the wrong plunger.  I have a NOS pump here which is a real tight fit in its chamber. Bought it years ago but It is not for these carbs. The leather is just too large.  Don't know what it's for but it's just too tight. You may have bought one of these.

[Giff]

I made sure not to fold the leather and when I talked to the supplier he had me measure because there is a small and larger pump,going to give him a call monday.

[Steve Passmore]

Ah, bet he sent you the large one.

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

There are lots of reasons the Stromberg carburetors get a bad rap. A lot has to do with poor rebuilds. Second although the parts look similar a lot of the internal parts are not interchangeable.

The numbers are on the top of the carburetor under the arm for the accelerator pump. Generally you will find that it has a 215 number for Cadillac (LaSalle numbers were real rare for the 38 on the AAV 25 with the electric choke). See if  you can find the numbers and I can identify.

The problem with the accelerator pump would show itself when trying to start the car. if it is bad it would not pump gas into the carb for starting and that would be an indication of a bad accelerator pump. It would also stumble when you tried to floor the accelerator to gain speed.

My opinion

The Johnny