desoto1939

The other way to go would be to acquire a NOS Breaker plate with the OLD points, and condensor and small wires already setup and then just drop in the plate. This way you have a good starting point. I like to rebuild my breaker plates with the older stock points and condensors to have when I need to do a tuneup. Sometimes you can get the breaker plate cheaper than buying the individual parts on the bay. This is why I have all the various catalogs. Rich HArtung

If you get the information that Don has suggested we can then list the various part numbers for you. But we need to know the dizzy model number also your car year and model also helps. I have several catalogs that lists the various parts fromthe various manufacturers. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

OK, for the guys that have had Airtex fuel pumps and the pin has worked its way out of the body what did you do? Did you make any effort to contact AIRTEX diectly or did you take the pump back to a Sotore to get a new pumps since the airtex are guanateed. If you did not Contact Airtex with the issue and send the pump back to them then they do not have any kind of record of the issue. A phone call just asking about th epin is not like sending the pump back to them to look at the defective FP. So contacting Airtex should be the forst thing after the pump has goone south because of the pin would be my first suggestion. I donot have an aswer to the issue but if a pump went bad for me like that I would be onthe phone with their tech reps. So we have heard from about 6 people that have had this issue. We have alot of other members that have similar FP in their cars so lets hear from some of the other members with their replies. Rich HArtung

So did you rebuild this pump that failed not due to the pin but the diaphragm. If you did then push out the pin to rebuild then there is a possibility that the hole became bigger when you rebuilt it. And I can see this happening and in this case then I would suggest what Don is doing by replacing the pin and adding in the c clip to hold the pin from moving out of the body. Ok so we have two examples out of how many other members for an x factor of failure rate. So more input is still need to really state that new pumps have issues with the pins. Rich Hartung

OK: So i just got off the Phone with Art Gould concerning your issues with the pins coming out of the housing. He stated that he is not seeing this as a major issue and is not getting alot if any complains about this issue. He has stated that sometime they levers and the internals might get colged becasue of old fuels and then you get problems. So went to a good source and they are not seeing this as any type of issue. Also they stated that if you feel that youmight have an issue you can contat them and they wil work out a way to insure that they pin willnot come out of the housing. Art Gould Arthur Gould Rebuilders ● 5R Main Street ● Kings Park, NY 11754 ● (631)269-0093 Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

With the cost of two Optima batteries would it be cheaper just to conver the entire car over to 12v and then only chnage what need to be change with a volt reducer. Now you could then use a 12 v alternator and then run 12 v headlights for all of your night driving? Rich HArtung

Don: I have lived all my 63 years her in PA near Valley Forge PA just outside of Philadelphia. I find that my batteries died inthe early spring after several years and I attribute this to the winter cold. ALso since with the winter weather we don not drive them that often during the winter months they starts to lose the charge even after charging. The trickle constant chargng systems help prevent the buildup on the plates and help increase the life of the bateries. I learned this while attending the AACA annual meeting during one of their seminars. Rich Hartung

Ok for a discussion point. How many current members do we have on the forum and how many of the fourum members have current driving cars that they take to club events and cars show and also do local driving. The next question is how many of these owners have had to replace a fuel pump becasue of this pin issue. and also how long was the current pump installed in the car. Yes we can all get an occasional part that might prematurely go bad. But the way you guys are sounding as if this is happening every day. I have a New fp that has been in my 39 desoto for at least 10 years or more and it has the pin installed just as it came from the factory. I feel that the issue that most of you are brining up has to do with the process of when rebuilding a pump becasue you have to drive out the current pin and this has a tendency to remove some metal on the piin hole and then when you install the pin after the rebuild you again are forcing the pin back into the same hole that might have had some of the hole ienlarged and guess what it gets enlarged again. So here is a suggestion can some touch base with Art Gold up in NY State who has been doing FP rebuilds and contact him or his son to see how many pumps they get returned or even get contacted by a current owner that they did the rebuild for to see if they are getting the same issues that all of you are stating. HArd facts speak loudly not just an occasional issue. This is why I like to buy new versu rebuild if the cost is with in means. I am not trying to pick on anyones comments or knowledge but lets see if we can get some hard facts to approach AIRTEX or any other manufacturer? Please add you comments to this thread. All comments are welcome and no one is 100 correct or 100 percent wrong. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Don nice chart, but with my current 6v battery that I got from NAPA about a year or two ago they are no longer using the removable caps to check the level reading of each cell. I like havin gthe removale caps so I can check it periodically. and when the battery is under the seat for some of the older cars it evens get checked less. Rich Hartung

Since you live in Flaordia and the weather is usually warm the entrie year and are not subject to cold and winter temperatures like what we have up Noth then there is a good posibility that you might get extended life out of your 6 v battery. Do you have a battery tender on your battery to keep it charged. I have a hard time understandinf that if you car has sat all winter long say 4 months that the battery has not gone down or even discharged because of no usuage and not running the car. I would say that you have been very fortunate to have a bettery last 12+ years with out any maintenance and not running the car for long periods of time. I would suggest that you get a new battery it is time. Does your current battery have the removeable caps so you can check the fluid levels? Also what do you put in the cells when they get low and dry up from evaporation. Are you using an regular 6v celled battery or something special like an Optima?? Most of the newer 6v batteries are now coming with sealed caps just like the current 12 v batteries. Please let us know how you are maintaning you battery for such a long time. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

did you use a double flare or a single flare on the end of each line? Or is the rubber hose line leaking at the wheel cylinder? Or is this the inside line that is curved and connects to each single cylinder? More info might help for us to undestand where the exact leak is located. Rich HArtung

When you said new dizzy is this a NOS dizzy or a rebuilt dizzy or a used dizzy that you just purchased and put in the truck? Check to verify the condition of the breaker plate assembly. It might be worn and have some sloppyness. i had a friend that had a 39 Desoto and was getting some porr performance. We took it to an old mechanic hed pulled the cap and was able to move the breaker plate. He told us to replace it. We pulled the BP and installed a NOS plate and reset the points which usuauly are set at 20 for the 39 Desoto. and then we had a good running engine and had power. Are you correct at setting the gap at 25. Check your book for that setting seems to me that 20 is the correct number but I am not a truck guy. You can always set a little lower if your car/truck like that setting. Each car/truck has that specific smooth point that makes them happy and not always the factory setting is the perfect happy spot for them. Even the timing mark is a starting point but adjust to where the truck runs smooth and has power. This is just a thought. Rich HArtung

I have the Airtex Electric fuel pump installed on my 39 Desoto and it is attached to the frame near the gas tank. I have an on/off toggle switch and when the unit is turned on I can hardly hear it run and I do not have any rubber mounting strips on my unit. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

39 chryslerr dodge and Desoto also had electric wipers. The 39 Ply had vacuum wipers. Rich Hartung

The Chrysler History department willnot beable to tell you the prior owners of your car. They can only provide the build sheet and information about the car when it was built and the options that were available for the car. They olny thing you can do is ask the prior owner who you purcahsed the car from if they knew and have any info onthe car and the prior owner that they purcahsed the car from. Since these cars are 50+ years old the original family members might be dead and then you might never find them or any other info. Even the state where you got the car might not have any past records and the state that you purcahsed the car in might not even be the state where it was first registered. So it is a long hard search effort. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

If all of you read my post I have the two miller factory Mopar tools to remove the pilot bushing and also the tool to insert it into the flywheel and also the tool that makes is perfectly round, it burnishes the bearing to the correct size so the input shaft fits the pilot bushing correctly. Stop using makeshift tools and use the correct tools. When using the correct tools it will take you no more than 15 to 20 minutes at max to do the complete job of removal and inserting and burnishing the bearing. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

DMCCLUE: I have the special miller tool that removes the pilot bushing and then the miller tool that is used to install it into the flywheel and then burnish the pilot bushing so it will be perfect fit. No use in messing with non factory tools. Use the factory tool to do it right and easy. Rich Hartung live near valley Forge Pa. Desoto1939@aol.com cell 484-431-8157 home 610-630-9188

MArk: If you have an old AC 588 fuel pump in the truck then Airtex has made a newer version of the AC588 pump. The new pump number from Airtex is 73201. I recently spoke to the Airtex rep and this is the same pump as the 588. They no longer reference the pump as 588 but use number 73201. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Like I said in my reply I know that here are still dirt roads that some of us have to use. So in your case could you convert to the use of K&N modern filter that is washable and you spay on their special oil that helps caputure the dust? That might work for you. I know these are not cheap filters but in your case with the dusty roads this might protect the engine with all of the dust. Just a thought. My reply was more pointed to the Chrylser 49 owner that was having issues with the plugs fouling as a possible solution to his problem. But thanks for your input. Just trying to help another owner. Rich

If the old oil bath air filter is the issue then why not just go to a paper modern air filter? If you are just using the car as a driver and taking to local shows then set it up for a modern oilles air filter. I feel that the modern paper air filters work just as well as the old oil bath filters and with out the mess. remember when these car were built we had a lot of dirt roads and gravel roads that were being used. Now that we have paved roads and really very little dirt or gravel roads except for maybe a driveway inthe country or an occasioanly trip into an area that still might have a dirt road we basically have 99% paved roads. Even if you cannot conver the existing unit to a paper filter then go look for an after market unit and then install that on the car and then when you go to a show then putthe old oil bath back on the car to maek it period correct. Hope that all the issue was the spring and possibly the extra kero that was in the old mesh air filter. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I know Scott Fans does make a 6 volt fan and I also think they had the thermostatic control style. I know these fans are not cheap but instead of going to all the trouble of two batteries this would work and also get a positive ground 6v to 12 negative converter in the car to run your gauges. Just a suggestion Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

The wiring from Rhode Island and the other companies that reproduct the original collor scheme and sticker scheme is using modern wire that is plastic coated. So they have newer wire and then just slip on the appropriate color base wire with the appropriate sticker. I do not know it this is briaded onto the new wire or just the new wire pulled thru the outer cover. So yes you are paying more for the wire than if you just purchased some 14 gage electrical wire at Home Depot. But also rememeber that htey are attaching the proper ends, and the rubber covering on each end marking the wire as to it location and then also braiding the entire loom inthe appropriate cover. They do a great job and have a fine quality control. I met with them and showed them where they had made a 39 Desoto and Doge wireing harness and used cloth tape winding and they shoudl have used the Braided loom with a blue stricker. I had the factory wire harness and showed them this when they were at Hershey. They then changed to the correct loom. So they make every effort to get it correct. So basically if you want the correct llok then go with the big guns but if you are not concerned about the authentic look then create your own wireing harness and wrap with black cloth tape. It takes time but can be done and if you are not in a hurry it will look period correct. Rich HArtung

Yes he is sure and I will also let him know about the guy in Oregon. Tks, Rich HArtung

JR: I know that you want to try to keep is a 30/40 is style and that is great, but when trying to get the correct style you might give up some real safety issues. Not sure if the 30/40's style had the 4 way flasher functionality. The newer style do have this option and when being judged no club and even the AACA will take off for turn signals so long as they are done in a fashionable manner. What are your thoughts about seatbelts. They were not available then so I guess you will not have them in the car. Certain options and modern options like these out way the period correctness part just because of the safety aspect. I even have a third brake light that goes on my back window via suction cups I know this is not period correct but every ones is now looking for the brake light to up high to be seen and this is also a turn signal assembly. Just is just my thoughts about safety over period correctness. I could see this if you were going for 100 point correctness and AACA and a Grand NAtional car but to me the safety aspect out trumps that. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

I have a friend that is looking for a 1942 Dodge Harmonic Vibration Balancer. If anyone has any leads please contact me Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Cell 484-431-8157 Home 610-630-9188