desoto1939

Question: If you put the smaller 23 inch engine in the car and then the bell housing and then tranny I would also think that you are going to be short in the length at somepoint in the driveshaft trying to matchup. Unless if you bring the front mount back the necessay distance to hold the front of the motor. I might be wrong but just thought of this possible issue. If this is true and I am not a mechanic, then your additioanl cost of fabrications and other items might comeout to be equal to the cost of the 25 inch block rebuild and then if you do find a good 25 long block then you have to undo allthat you did to fit the 23 inch block. Am i correct in thinking this way. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Joe, Yes real cloth with the nap on it. They also carry the windlace Rich

Joe: I got my headliner for my 39 Desoto from Restoration Supply in Windber PA and it was perfect fit. We installed backin 1996/97 Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Attached is a link posted y sema on radial and Bias Ply tires. good article to read. http://www.sema.org/files/attachments/WTC-2011-05-Bias-vs-Radial-Tire-Wheel-Fitment.pdf As stated before I am not an engineer but if you are going to put radials on your old car you might want to consider the rims and or changing the rims as per what it states in the article. Food for thought. I am also not stating that the AACA is the know it all on this issue, but this was brought up at last years annual convention and meeting and this is what they discussed in the lecture series. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

If they do fit are you planning on using radial tires on the Desoto. I have discussed the use of radial tires on cars that came standard with Bias Ply tires. There are alot question still being raised that the old car geometry of the frame and front and rear suspension cannot handle the rolling and the corning characteristics of the radial tire since the sturcture of the radial tire is totally different thanthe Bias-Ply tires. This is why the AACA will not permit the use of radial tires on older cars that were not originally desgined for this type of tire. I am just bring up this point I do not have any engineering data to prove or disprove this statement, but you must make that decision. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Hard to say what is the right price. Since The current owner has these NOS and you do not then he can ask any price that he wants and according to him that is the right price. This is Frank Mitchell that is selling these parts down in Georgia. Frank is known for high prices, but if he has what you want and you need it and no ones else has the part then he will get his price. To have pot metal rechromed in triple plate you are probably going to pay the same price. If there are a lot of pits these have to be filled and then the metal polished to make it smooth or grinding the imperfection. This is time and money. I would suggest that you take your to a platter to see what they will charge to replate in triple chrome and then you will have an idea of what to base your spending on the new items or recondition the old items. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Joe: Rich Hartung here. When you have the engine running and the heater is turned on can you feel any heat on the two hoses that feed the heater. On my 39 Desoto which is know is a different heater. The connection at the back of the head goes into the pipe that is near the drivers sign and the return is the pipe that is near the right front fender. May be you have the hoses connected to the wrong connection on the heater. Just a possibility. Rich

Here is another link to HYDRO-E-Lectric specila in 1946 and up convertible lift cylinders. http://www.hydroe.com/ Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

The guy did not wear any safety googles when pouring our the old acid into the bucket. Then her poured the water and baking soda soulition into the same bucket and still no safety glasses to cover his eyes. By the time you go throught all of this work I would just buy a new battery. Rich Hartung

You will have to look at your fenders. If there is a square hole in the fender where the bars that attach to the frame members then you have to installthe fenders first. This goes for both front and rears. On my 39 desoto there are rubber seals that also cover the holes so slide these onto the braket first then inset the braket throught the holes in the fender then fit the two bolts to hold the braket to the frame. There is a right and left braket so make sure you have the right braket on the correct loocation. It sounds as if you might have them switch. I have had mine off several times and have to puch the bars in a little but not much effort is needed. If you have a gravel guard then the bumper and braket are installed first then you will use the bumper bolts that go thrught the bummper to attach the gravel guard the same for the bumper guard or uprights as some people call them. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Looked at you video. Is the steering wheel centered on the shaft is the first question. You also have to remember that when our cars and trucks were made the local highways had a berms or crest to the roadway. so there was a highspot near the center of the road and then it would taper off to the right. So the steering had to beable to compensation for this type of roadway. Our modern roads have been designed to be less of slant to the right so there is less of a berm or gradiant. So when going from a modern car with racknpinion to a old car that doesnot have this setup you will get some play. I think you are ok. You replaced the sectoer in the steering box but is there any wear in the worm gear on the shaft that mated upto the sector? You could still have some worn spots on the worm gear on the steering shaft. Just my thoughts on this issue. When driving down the road are you still going from right to left and fighting the steering wheel or is it still tracking faily easy. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I tried to post the information but the system prevented me from posting it. If you want a copy of this little measurment information email me and I will send it to you. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I have just received a MOOG parts Catalog that covers the suspension components for cars and trucks from 1934 - 1949. In this catalog it listes the various moog manufacturer and also Chrysler part numbers with pictures of the various susspension parts. I have attached a part of the catalog that talks about how to measure you frot end of your car or truck to determine if you have a set of sagging fron coil springs. Ok before anyone starts to make any jokes we are the owners of these cars are also sagging in certain areas so we also could use a little help in the foundations. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Ply Adams: Thanks for the explanation Rich H

Don and AndyDodge: This is Rich Hartung, I do not understand the use of the spray paint I understand the cooper adhesive to get a tacky grip. So are you saying that spraying any color paint on the head and top of the block and do not let it dry then put the gasket in place and then the head will also act as sealent. to hold the gasket in place. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Marting: I just checked on ebay for 1940 Plymouth wheel cylinders and there are several for sale both from and rears. You should also beable to get the Brake hoses at any napa store now with these EIS numbers. I do have two Brake catalogs with a lot of information write to me with your home email. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

Here is a list of McCord Head GAsket numbers Chrysler/Desoto use the same from 1937-54 for the flat head 6 chrylser number 1324340 copper-asbestos McCord number 6210c Chrysler number 1402222 steel-asbestos McCord Number 6210s Victor number 1061c copper only no steel Fitzgerald 0422c Victor, McCord and Fitzgerald were the major manufacturers of Head Gaskets. Will find Victor and McCord and Fitzgerald Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Here is the info that you need. EIS Brake part number for the brake cylinders RF ew6854 40-42 Ply rl ew6853 40-42 rr ew6128 lr ew6127 hoses front sp292 hose rear sp183 dodge/ Desoto all use the same wheel cyclinders and hoses for the years 1940-42 Check on ebay you will find these. You do not need to put slots in the two lowere eccentric. Use the flats with a 1/2 inche open end wrench to turn then after loosening the castlen nut on the back of the backing plate. Contact me I have all the EIS and Wagner part numbers also check on ebay Rich HArtung

The 40 ply uses a single wheel cylinder, step downs both front and rear. You can not use the two wheel cylinder setup in your car. Rich Hartung

It is funny how some people think everything can demand a high price just becasue it is old. It is a shame that this old iron now is returning back to its natural state of rust and dust and will be put back into the earth. These were just old cars when the original owner of the dealership tookthem in trade. He did not expect them to be worth anything. If we all had known that as kids and teenagers and youg drivers we would have saved every 55,56,57 chevy, the high performance Mopars, the Fords and GM products of our day. But these were just cars that had lived their life and provided service for a family and it was then time to trade-in for a newer car. The cycle just continued until the hobby caught on and now everyone wants those cars, but again now we have to deal with over inflated prices, the Barreet Jacksons and aution houses that push the prices out of reach for the average guy to own. So that I why I do not attend these type of auctions becasue people get caught up in the shark freenzie of bidding becasue they think they have to have it at any cost and then they look back and realize that they over paid for a car that with the possibikoity of being resold will loose in value again. Just my thoughts, but you need to use some common sense when buying cars and trucks. There is a point of no return at times and when to fold your cards and walk away from the poker table. We all have been in these situations so look at the project and then determine what is a real cost that you want to spend based on the condition and what you will have to do to the car or truck Rich Hartung

when using dot 5 you will need to rebuild each brake cyclinder with new rubber components, new brake hoses and also the master cylinder will also need to be rebuilt with new rubber components. You will need to flush out all the lines with denatured alcohol to clear the metal brake lines of the old dot 3 brake fluid. Also check all the metal brake lines and replace any or all to start fresh lines. I have had dot 5 in my 39 desoto since 1988. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Don Thanks for the suggestion I will have to take a look under the car. In 70 years who knows what ever happened with the prior owners. Rich Hartung

there should be a recess arounf the vent on the cowl. The rubber gasket gets glued into this recess. The gasket is not glued to the vent flap or the part that comes up and down. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Joe: You are correct. There should covers on both rear springs, but maybe the prior owner had some spring work done or maybe the covers got torn and they removed them when it was in for servicing. Being over 70+ years old I am not going to worry about getting replacement covers. The car is a driver and not a show car and is not officially judged at AACA or Desoto events. If I every find some then might consider but that is low on my priority list of things to do. I see that you are in Ohio. I did the bicycle ride call TOSROV or Tour of the Scioto river Valley very Mothers day weekend that started in Columbus Oh and went to Portsmouth Ky and then returned back to Columbus on Sunday. Did this back in the mid 70's 100 miles each day. Are you located arounf that area? Went throught the town of Cicrleville and Chilocothee, OH. Rich HArtung

my 39 desoto has the metal leaf spring covers on the driver rear side of the car and this is the side where the gas filler tube is located. On the passenger side the cover is not on this spring. I have a friend that has the same car another 39 Desoto and his car is setup in the same manner. Seems odd that both cars would only have the left cover and not the right one also covered. But it might have something to do with the gas tank. Not sure but just a WAG on my part. I do have literature that shows them on both sides from the MOOG corporation Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com