desoto1939

Don: Did you know that the 2015 National Desoto Convention will be held in Kalamazoo this year in July? I am planning on attend without my 39 Desoto might see you there. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

The original DS on the 39 with out overdrive would have used two pin and trunion Detroit u joints. When they had the overdrive installed from the factory one end had the pin and trunion and the other end had the modern or cross style joint and the drive shaft is shorter that the ones that are on the cars without OD. I think they used the cross style because of the angle at the ends to make sure they two ends were in parallel with each other. If you are considering to replace the u joints with original Detroit Pin and Trunion they will cost you aroundf 350-400 for the complete kits puls the labot to get the new pin in and out of the ends. The newer style with the slip joint will be about the ame but you will have a more modern DS with modern ujoints that can be purchased and luber on a regular basis without the trouble of taking the DS down and unpacking the OLD Style Pin and Trunion setup. It is you decision to make but consider the total cost and also the eaze or maintenance with the new DS. I do have several of the complete PIN and Trunion with housing if you need some Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

did you try what Don had suggested. hold you thumb and another finger over the intake and outlet holes onthe pump and then move the arm. This then moves the diaphram and will create the suction on the inlet hole. You will then feelthe sucking on your finger tip and then the pushing of the air out the on the outlet hoel. If this is not happening then the diaphram might be bad of there is another clog in the pump. Rich HArtung

You can also contact the company called PartsGeek: here is a link to their fule pump for your car: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1947/dodge/custom/fuel_delivery/fuel_pump.html Cost is 62.63 This is an Airtex old number 588 but is a newer number. A rebuild kit will cost you arounf 49 dollars and then you stil lhave to rebuild the old pump. Just get an entirely new pump and put it inthe car instead of rebuilding unless you want the experience of rebuilding a FP. Just my $62.63 worth of information. Yes also the Airtex electric fuel pump is a good backup as a primer to you mechanical pump. Place this pump as close to the gas tank as possible. These are a pusher type pump and not a puller like the mechanical pumps. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I would think that most of us would not remember how to put chains on a tire since most of us and I say that loosely had not had to put any on their cars or trucks in a long time. I remember as a kid and I am now 64 my dad having a set of chains for his cars, but I never had the opportunity to put a set on a car. Who would remember how to put a set of chains on a car tire. I do also remebr the little slip single chains that went throught the slot inthe rims and the chain provided you with some traction. these were more of an emergency quick snap on chain. I do remember that the chains had a rubber brand that the chanins hooked to via a clip of some sort. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

Items to also check: Motor mounts and transmission mounts. Are thy compressed and old and hard. could be the driveshaft as Ply Adams stated. If you have vibration dampener it could also be that. Also could be front motor mounts. I had a clutch replaced and then the front vibration dampener need to be replaced on my 39 Desoto. just some thoughts Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

They might also be the sucksoncup style of window defroster. Remember back then the heater and defroster units were a dealer installed option and most cars and trucks did not come with these installed. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

I have used the wood graing process from the Grain-it company. It is easy to do and you can get a good quality finish for a do it yourself approach and it will look like a factory job. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

Here is a question for the guys that have done kingpins on their cars and trucks. The official king pin reamer according to my Miller Tools catalog, and the Miller Tools are the official factory tools that were used by MoPar dealership states that the correct king pin reamer for the Dodge, Desoto, Ply and Chrysler from approx. 1934-56 was the size .795. I have seen a reamer that is still in the box and states on the box Dodge, Desoto, Ply from 1935-56 and Chrysler 40-56 and the size is stamped on the tool as .797. Ok so can this tool be used to correctly cut the bushing for these cars I know we are talking a very small amount from .xx5 to .xx7. Is there anyone that can let me know if this is a usable reamer for my 39 Desoto? Thanks, Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

This is why we chnage the antifrezze in our car every couple of years. The antifrezze still might work when you take a reading but the antirust inhibitor is what is really lossing its ability to stop the rust action. So every year I put a pint of GUNK Water pump and radiator rust inhibotor into the radiator. This keeps the rust inhibtors upto snuff. Cost a couple of bucks but is work the time and money for me. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I have a 1994 CHevy Lumina that has been in the family since new. Yes I am sorry to mention Chevy, Bow Tie, on this forum. The car came from my Aunt and was passed to my mom with 17K original miles on it. It has been passed to both of my daughters to learn to drive and both have taken it to college. The youngest is a freshman in college now. The car currently has 65K original miles on the car. It is a gray 4 door sedan and has been a great college car for my kids. So now it is 21 years old. 4 more and I can tag it as antique her in PA. Hopefully 3 more years of college use and then 1 year of just running it. Nothing great to look at but it is not many times when a car lasts that long and stays with in the family. No rot out just faded paint but who cares its a survivor. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

A whole set of factory Miller Tools from the mid 30's to mid 1950's that worked for the 6 cylinder flatheads. And the expedrience on how to use them. HAve been collecting them as I find them but not many tool venders consider these tools to be collectable even at Hershey. Seems that the GM and FURD tools are the only creditable tools that people want. Nice heated garage that is seperate from the house and also with a lift Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

You are sort of correct. It all depends on what you plan to do with the car. If you plan to have it judged say at an AACA event or a specific marque such as the Ply owners club and you are looking for a Senior winner and best of show and all of that then the correct color is important. You might lose a point here or there but if the car is a clean as you say then the color will not deduct that many points. If you want a driver and just a good, great looking car then any color close will do and no one will know the difference unless you happen to have the same car next to you at another show. Go for a color that suits your taste and looks to be original. remember that colors do wade over time so its very hard to get it perfect. As they always say it was original only once. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Have you tried looking at the eastwood company. They carry a lot of automotive supplies and they might have the color that you are looking for. the pinstriping paint is made by 1 shot: here isa link to the 1 shot color chart. You might find a color or have to mix you own to get he specific color you want or need http://www.1shot.com/colorchart-lettering.html Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

the 39 desoto had them and they are still in my car. Chrysler made the wether protection spark plug kit that had a metal cup that sat in each spark plug hole and the plug then screwed into teh ehad and then there was a rubber boot that covered the top of the plug. This water issue was very common in the cars that had the butterfly style hood becasue of the hood hinge was directly over the top of the plugs. Also they found out that by having the coil inthe firewall and because of moisture issue they move the coil to a metal braket colser to the dizzy to help prevent the moisture issue. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Rob: Glad that you got the right parts. Hope the measurements that I took for you and the pictures helped to get your u joints rebuilt. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

I was looking in My Plymounth 1929-39 MAster PArts books Vol 1 and 2 and I saw that there was note regarding RHD cars and the MC. There was a note that there isa specific heat shield that was used on the RHD cars. I would think this was used becasue of the exhaust manofold and exhaut pipes being near the MC and not not heat up the brake fluid. Not sure if you have the heat shield but just thought I would mention it. I am sorry but there is no picture of the heat shield so I can not send you any picture of what it should look like and how it attaches. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

These studs were welded on studs and not a true bolt that treads into the top of the manifold. At least that is how they are on my 39 Desoto that uses the Sisson automatic choke. If you can weld on a new stud then that will help. You could also maybe use a modern hose aligator clap to hold te unit down onto the top of the manifold, The gasket is needed to help with the heat transfer fromthe manifold to the bimetal plate that moves the choke lever rod. These choeks have gotent o be real expensive. I have a couple of these NOS if you need one. I also have the testing stand to verify that your old choke is working correctly and also have the Sisson choke instructions on CD. Contact me: rich hartung Desoto1939@aol.com Cell 484-431-8157 Home 610-630-9188

Here is an other option. Take steel rod and thread it the same as the lugbolts It only has to have approx. an 1 to 2 inches of the same thread. Then thread this into the drum and then put the rim with tire through one of the lugbolt holes in the rim and then center the rim with another lug bolt. Install all 4 bolts then remove the steel rod and install the last bolts. I have this same metal tool for my 2011 Volvo because they did not have the mounting peg and it worls and saves a lot of aggravation and struggling with the wheel . Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

ok here is your answer: Ply 1940-54 Tierods: Right side for right rod ES60R left side ES60L For left side for right rod ES131R left side ES131L Outer ends right side ES166R left side ES165R you can find these number when doing a search on ebay and also take these number with you to a swap meet. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com This information was taken from my McQuay Norris catalog 1936-61

If I remeber correctly the 39 MC is the same as my 39 Desoto. There should be a moutning flange that the MC attaches to on the two bolt holes at the bottom of the MC unit. IS the flange still on the frame of the car or was that removed when you sent the MC out to be resleeved and they might not have sent that back to you. Also check your parts book it shoudl show a picture of the flange. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

The Monroe shocks that will fit ar Monroe Front 5752 rear 3100. If you go to their wepage you can look up your car and also get the specs on therir shocks and then if you can not get these shocks you would at least have the specs. I use the same shocks on my 39 Desoto. rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Well just got home late last night and beat the snow and winter storm from Asheville NC. Went down and did some touring and went to the Biltmore estate that belonged to the Vanderbuilts. Boy money did have its place in time I have now officially changed my last name Vanderhart and we are the long long lost cousins to the Vanderbuilts. I have attached some pictures of the 1913 Steven - Duryea that was used by the Vanderbuilts. Enjoy: Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Hey Greg, Even the AACA does not judge for cars being to shiny and even over restored is not taken off. In my estimation how do the judges even know how shiny the paint would have been back then? I have seen many cars that have lacqer paint and have a great shine. So if any of their cars or truck have a clear coat then they also should be eliminated from judging only single stage paint was available back then. So to be that critical is allitle over the top. You can take a point off for the paint. So if any 1939 Mopar has the black brake/clutch and gas pedal then the car should not be judged becasue this is also incorrect. Its your car and not theirs so just enjoy it. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

My 39 Desoto was painted back a green color single stage enamel back in 1997. All I have ever done is once or twice a year use a claybar on the paint to remove the road grime and small stuff. I use the maguier detailer spary as my wetting agent to use with the claybar. I then have only used the Mcguires Tech wax on the car and I have retained the shine on the car. The original cars came with single stage so that is also why I stayed with single stage. Rich Hartung