desoto1939

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

Nice 39 Dodge. I have a 39 Desoto and I have the fender lamps also installed on my 39 Desoto. I found out that the same fender lamp was used on the export models and that the true export models used 12volt systems. This according to my 39 Desoto Parts catalog. I like when the fender lamps are chromed and not painted the color of the car. This set off the top of the fender. I turned mine into my front turn signals. Rich HArtung

I always had the yerning for an old car, but my parents never had a garage for me to store the car and also the money to buy a car for me. When I met my future wife back in 1979 her dad had several antique cars, 1915 Willy Overland Touring, 31 Model A 4 door Phateon, Model A 31 Fourd Sedan and several other cars during the time frame. So I took to him very quickly sin ce he had the cars that I could never have. I helped him on the repairs and her foirst taught me how to drive the Overland that had a leather cone clutch. Then onto the Model A's. And my passing assignment was to beable to downshift into 2nd gear without grinding the gears. Well I did pass the test. My wife found my 39 desoto while visiting out optometrist, his neighbor had a 39 Desoto and his kids lost interest inthe car. So we, the wife, agreed to buy the car. That was 27 years ago. I still have the car. It has been repainted and some chrome work done, still has the original interior. I gues my drawing to the car started along time ago. Owning a car is like a marriage. You go thru some fantastic time, so so so time, so hard time when you questions why all the time, and you work thru the issues and then back to the good times. The owning and driving of the car is like having your next best companion at your side, your best compnaion is your wife, and do not forget that point, because she has to go along with all of your spending habits. For me the driving of the car is important and to beable to slow down and enjoy what is around you. Whendriving our modern cars we are traveling at such higher speed that we drivie right past things on the road. When driving the older car you ar more observent of things around you. As some have said the pase of life was slower back inthe 30/40 and 50's. I think there was a real sence of pride in what we the USA produced. Yes there were issues and every decade has issues. I know some people would like to go back to that time period becasue I get the opinion that people respected other peoples property, looked after their neighbors, cared about people as a whole and live seemed to be less complicated as compared to now with all of our modern technology which should be making it easier but seems to make it more complicated. When going to events that represent this time period you seem machinery that was being used, such as hit and miss engines and in their simplicity how effective they did their jobs on the farms. How the simple machines worked and you understood how things worked. I gre up in the 50's so have been at the tail end of the Korean War, VietNam and all the wars upto the curren times. So working on the car and driving it lets you escape every day life and to slow down the pace of life and help to reflect back on life as to all of what seemed to be a simpler time and more caring time for our past generation. Maybe our kids will same the same for when we all grew up inthe 60- and up. Who knows but life is always evolving. We all look to the past for guidance. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Here are your wheel cylinder numbers RR EW10588 LR EW10588 RF upper EW10581 lower EW10583 LF upper EW10580 lower EW10582 Hoses Front SP967 Rear SP790 Taken from my wagner Brake catalog Rich HArtung

Ok Here is your Answer: According to my Chassis books which include Toledo Steel and MOOG Plymouth (ALL) from 1940 ES60 for the right side which has the ES60R and the ES60L for R=Right L=Left ES131 for the left side which has the ES131R and ES131L These fit 1940--1950 So all the major manufacturers used the same numbering system Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

I will look up the specific tie number that are listed in my Thompson and Moog Catalogs. After having these number such ES61 which fits my 39 Desoto then you will beable to find these online on the Bay and even at swap meets. The numbers are the same usually across the industry. So you are looking for 49 Plymouth just to make sure? Contact me on my home email Desoto1939@aol.com rich HArtung

even if hand made someone did a nice job to create the truck. rich hartung