Tim Larson

Awesome! Looks great

I was able to remove the distributor yesterday afternoon and got the screw out easily. Re-installed the tiny wire and made sure it does not touch any metal. Re-installed the dizzy and it acts the same - limited spark showing when turning over - not consistent - it seems to spark when first turning the engine over and then barely anything. I'm going to get new points, condenser, cap, rotor, and coil. This will cover the main pieces and will help me be confident that all is new. I did check all the plugs and can see they are all getting fuel so it shouldn't be stuck valves. I did get the number off the dist. - can I get the pieces I mentioned at Napa or should I order from Andy Bernbaum? I will update once I get the new parts installed - it will feel good once this gets solved!

I will inspect all of this. Thank you

It was definitely running last fall. He bought and in Iowa and I drove it home 4-5 hours to MN. It didn't seem to ever have trouble starting until it did all of a sudden. Thanks for your input - I appreciate it.

Thanks, Sam. I appreciate the input. Once I get the screw out that dropped in I'll put everything back together so I can do more testing.

I only messed with the wire because I had read the same thing and this Desoto does not even seem to fire at the moment. The wire looked like it could have been grounding out on the side of the distributor. In my Plymouth the wire looks worn, but the car still runs and drives fine - I have spare wires just in case they do end up needing to be replaced at some point. The strange thing is that ever since last October the car does not want to start. It turns over fine, but will not fire. All I did was change the oil and filter for my neighbor in October and the car started and ran fine for me. Once parked in the garage it seems to want to stay there... I'll figure this out eventually - it's not that complicated.

Thanks, I appreciate the input. I'm willing to learn through this process.

Thanks, I should have double checked before messing around, but I'll consider this a learning experience. Would you suspect the points are the problem if I wasn't seeing a consistent spark?

Thanks for the input. So the wire I show out of the distributor will not cause a problem the way it is pictured?

Thanks. Is removing the distributor that major of a project? I feel like it would be easier to replace the points/condenser/etc. with it out of the car. That way I can also make sure I get the correct points/condenser based on the number. I've never done this before, but probably a good learning experience.

Good Morning! I'm trying to help my neighbor get his 51 Desoto running for the season and have got myself it a pickle of sorts. I know the car is getting good shots of fuel from the carb. and the engine turns over fine, but just won't fire. I had him turn the engine over with the dist. cap open so I could see if the points were sparking - at first they were, but it didn't last long. I suspected one of the tiny wire in the dist. might be grounding out on the dist. housing since it is missing the coating (see photo below) In the process of removing the screws one of them flipped behind the breaker plate.... Doing some crowd sourcing on Facebook I am getting the sense that my best option is to remove the distributor (marking the rotor and vaccum advance location first) Then I will try to rattle the screw out in an effort to not need to disassemble the unit further. Anything else I need to consider? Was I jumping to conclusions with the small wire causing issues?

Thanks, Keith! I'm going to just keep it the way it is for now and add oil as needed. If it gets worse I'll have to consider digging in deeper.

I changed oil and filter on the Plymouth yesterday and checked the transmission fluid level. All is good so I drove the car to work today for the first time this year. The car obviously had a slow oil drip over the winter as there is a decent sized wet spot in the barn where it was parked. Seems to drip out the opening the in the clutch cover. I'll keep a close eye on the oil level, but plan to put a decent amount of mileage on the car even if there is nowhere to go this summer. Our local car show is canceled as is our big family reunion that was planned for late July. I expect the camp I normally work at for a week in June to be canceled or postponed, as well. Probably will just drive the car to work everyday this summer I can - have to make the best of it!

Congratulations all around!

Great video, Keith! Thank you for sharing this with us.

I loved reading this update and your last one, Keith! So glad your son appreciates your work on the car and wants to spend time with you enjoying it. That is something very special

I feel that second paragraph on such a deep level.

This car is a beauty and so photogenic! Glad you're making such great progress!

I hope you can get out for that cruise today! Glad you are enjoying the car even with everything going on.

It could be a coil issue. My '49 runs great after having changed the coil last summer. I know it sounds too easy, but it worked for me. I did replace my fuel pump with a brand new one just as a precaution - yes, I kept the old dual action pump!

Gas has dropped a lot here too! 1.79/gal. this morning.

Looks like a nice cozy space to ride together! Love seeing your progress, Keith.

Really sharp looking car, Noah! I am planning to try penetrol on my '52 Mercury this summer - my '49 Plymouth has an excellent paint job on it so I wouldn't consider applying penetrol to that car at this point. I'm interested to hear more suggestions about how to best apply this product. Share some more photos of your Meadowbrook when you have time.

Really enjoy seeing you use the Meadowbrook year round!