desoto1939

I just looked at the 1938 Desoto shop manual and the 39 Desoto supplemental shop manual that the dealers would have in their shops and there is NOTHING mentioned in either manual in the brake section and or in the Specifications section on the drums and how much can be removed. I have checked these two books several times and nothing is ever stated. Rich Hartung

Plymouthy: Thanks for the information. I have looked several times at my original drums and there is nothing stamped or even cast into the drum with this information. The older cars like mine did not have this info and I guess Chrysler felt that the dealership and or the independent garages would have this information in their manuals. So this is why jopjob was asking because I think from his first post his drums do not have the info. I have looked around and have never seen as stated value Actually I just looked in my 1935-53 Motors auto repair Manual and in the brakes section thee is nothing mentioned about the cutting of a brake drum and the max that you can take off the drum I have looked all over and could not find this info Rich Hartung

I have a 39 Desoto and in none of the manuals that I have for this car and any other manuals that I have none of them state what the max can be removed from the drums. I do know that some of the more modern drums have the amounts cast onthe outside of the drums but the older style usually do not have this information. This is also helpful for my education for my car also. Thnaks for the info Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

You will use a 6Volt headlight bulb 6006 if I remember correctly. This year I saw more that I ususally do at Hershey. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

As marty stated the engine block is bigger, 25 inch block. The baisics of the engine and how it works will be the same but the internals will be differnet because of the size. The water distribution tube is the longer one, etc same for the head. ALso the suspension parts will be different. What I have found with my 39 Desoto is the the 39 Ply/Dodge long wheel base models some of the suspension parts will interchange but the regular 39 Ply/Dodge will not fit. So the best thing is to get a 51 desoto parts book and then also the 54 pLy parts book and compare the numbers to see if anything matches, but Iwould think most will not. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I came across a NOS MOPAR radiator at Hershey last year and it was still available this year. It is in a box and it is the old style honeycomb radiator. The number on the tank with the Mopr DPCD logo was 794009. My 39 Desoto has a number 794008. The seller did not know what year it fit and everyone was asking the same question. I did a search in my Motors flat rate book for the 39 Chry. Dodge, Ply and this number does not show for any of these cars. Does anyone have a lead as to what this might fit. I looked i tne top hole where the cap goes and it was very clean I took measurements of my 39 Desoto and if they are close to this radiator and he stillhas it next year I will buy it, but would like to have an idea what it might fit. ANy help would be appreciated. The old styel honeycombs rad's are hard to find Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

This was my 25th year of attending Hershey. I was there when we did not have the paved fields. Most of the fields were just grass and when it rained it turned into to mud that was at least 6-10 inches deep in the asiles. Those were the good old days. Hershey has changed a lot of the 25 years that I have been going but as you stated it is one of the largest event o the east coast. Rain is always something that happens during Hershey. There have been years in which it has not rained but we always expected it to rain at least one day but not three days like it did this year. There was a stationary front that hung around the area and did not clear out. So a lot of venders left on Thursday late afternoon and Thursday evening. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Acutally we had one of the old style with the glass knob at the top to see the color of the coffee. We used one a Hershey this year. We used is to make a good cup of coffee. The clear glass knob at the top was used so you can see the color of the coffee as it was perking. so you could make a weak or strong cup. As the water got hot it would be sent up the tube from the bottom to the top of the basket and then the hot water would then flow through the coffee grounds to make the coffee. ANd the smell of the coffee was also a great part of making the coffee. Yhis is smoething that the kids of today will never experience. This was a great part of growing up. You had to guess when you had the right strength of coffee. The good old days. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Most of the owners do not use the factory jack setup. I prefer a good sizzors jack which permits you to be clear of the car when jacking up the car. Best stop is to use on the frame. It also depends on what you are trying to do. So If changing a rear wheel then jack up the car on the frame near the rear and side of the car. remember to loosen the lug nuts first you only have to get the car up high enough so that the tire is off the ground so you can pull the tire off the drum. This also goes for the front wheels. Placement of jackstands also this need to be done on a flat serfice on the ground for stability. The jackstands should be used on the frame and if doing some rear work on the brakes you could put them under the rear axle member. The placement of the jackstands need to be done in a sfae manner and your judgement on where to place them is your option. Persoanlly I do not like to work under a 3000 lb car being held up with jackstands even if they are ranged for the amount to hold up the car. You should also beable to fill the mastercylinder from the top of the engine compartment. I have a 39 Desoto and the MC is below the floor board but I can get access to the fill nut and use a funner with a long hose to fill the MC. Rich Hartung

Skrambler: I also see your point about the crowd also coming to the event to buy items. But If you put a very respectable price on an items I have a complete set of heavy duty truck sockets to be used to removed the axles nuts etc. I put a price of $40 for the entire set then the guys come up and want to offer 20-25. I already put a price that was a great bargin then they want it for less. This time I stood firm and got the 40. So to play the game at Hershey you up the price by 20 so for this item you put sixty and then the guy offers 40. But on the other hand the 60 will also price people away because they feel its too high. So you can not win either way. I know I have also played the game of get the lowest price also. Yes the crowd is the gray haired guys and yes we are not getting the young guys to come into the hobby. Hershey is changing and has been changing over the past 25-30 years that I have been attending. There were times when you would see suspension parts, shocks, rubber gas and brake pedals, the 1$ tents with boxes of NOS items that you had to search through and you would also get some good buys. But now we are seeing it turn in to the big commercial venders and the lillte guy is struggling. Also the old parts are drying up and it is getting harder to find them. The supply is getting scares. We all and I have talked to a lot of the venders and they also are saying the same that your stating. The young guys are not involved and these old cars are not what they want the want the High performance get in a go and do not care to look for parts and restore. Buy and drive is the saying no a days. The hobby will slowly change over time and Hershey is going to change over time all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and hope that there will be new blood to take over the hobby. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

you saw correctly, a lot of spaces were empty this year. Talked to a lot of vendors and they were also saying the same thing. Lots of lookers and most people not buying. Yes prices will be high at Hershey. Figure a spots costs about 85$. So we had two spots a porta potty for 140+$ travel costs and food and of coarse beer. My budding travels in from St Lois so he also has extra trvel and gas fees more than I do since I am only about 2 hrs max from Hershey. So two spots 170 + 140 eq 310 even before we sell anything, plus the food and the gas. Now figure how far some of the venders come from and the vacation time or if they own a business and it s closed. So yes there is a lot of money spent to get there so they are trying to at lest break even and or possibly make some money. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Update: Well Hershey was basically a rain out. It was overcast on Wednesday. It started to pour on Thursday afternoon and continues all night and into Friday Morning. We backup since it was called for 70% rain Fridays and around 50% for Saturday. A lot of the vendors left on Thursday evening. Better luck next year. Rich Hartung

Ok last time to let everyone know that if you need a rest stop if you are at the AACA Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey PA you can visit me at Choclocate Field North row C4E site number 28 we are near the light post 45. My other partner is Mike. If you are in the field stop and say hello and sit down for a rest. Cell phone 484-431-8157 Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I have seen this before, but what is really amasing is how well the tires held up to all of the punishment. We have all been told over the years that the tires back then were not were well made and that flats were an every day occurance. Look at all that rugged terrain that the car and the wheel took going over the cliff and then being flip over. So I guess the tires then were pretty good quality and as the old Timex commercial stated they took a licken but kept on ticking ard rolling along. The early dodge trucks were know for their dependibility thats why Gen Pershing used them when he was going after Poncho Villa in Mexico. I think thats the last name of the guy he was chasing. Oh well speaks well for the Dodge Brosthers cars. Dodge sold many trans and rears to good old Henry Ford inthe early years, so I guess Ford knew the better components all along. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com.

Jim Here is a link to the runningboards that our club member in MAryland used for his Plymouth. New metal and vulcanized matting for 575. I know my money and not yours. http://www.hotrodssuperstore.com/vulrunboar.html Rich HArtung

Don: i am basing my reply on the year of the car being a 49 and no visible filter. During those years the dealers were doing alot of the serviceinh onthe cars and also assuming that they would use the proper oil of a straight weight oiland also sin cethe owners manual was delivered with the car the owner would use the recommended oil. Buying a new car back then was a big deal so most people and I will say with tongue in cheek that most people valued their cars because it was a major expense. Again just trying to provide some insight on the oil, but no one and including you can know for cetain what was used in the car. Even if I sold you my 2011 volvo you would not know what oil I used and or even my daughter 2011 Ford Fusion. But most people would try to figure out what was recommended and go by that knowledge. But I am not the all knowing and do not have a crystal ball to look into the past, but as some people have stated you like to attack other people posting and replies. I have stated this in the past about you and you have not gotten the idea that most people are trying to be helpful to the other forum members when seeking information. So I willmake it a point not to replay to any of your posts since I have the feeling that if someone goesd against your opinion than they know nothing and do not have any opinion. So tell my have spark plugs I am currently running in my 39 Desoto, but I really do not care if you can gues or even if you do reply I do not care for you flipped remarks. So stay in the South and be some what flipped, most members do not like your candid remarks. But i guess you have the all knowing knowledge ball. I try to provide help when I can, but i get the feeling that the only knowledge that counts is only your opinion and I say again your opinion. Take care and if you do come up to Hershey plese do not stop at my site you are not welcome. Rich Hartung Desoto19392aol.com

If you do a complete rebuild of the pin and trunion u joint then yes get a new neoprean CV joint cover . you will have to do some research to get the correct size opening at both ends and then use the modern screw type hoe clamp. I would suggest that you use a stainless steel clamp so the unit does not get rust from any water and grime from being under the car. Then you can un loosen and check for grease in the body. ALso tape the body for a grease fitting so you can grease the inside every year. The new neoprean CV boots can withstand the newer grease as compared to the old rubber boots. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com.

Since your car did not have an original filter system i would then assume that the previous owners used straight weight oil W30 or W20. These were not detergent based oils. Has the engine been rebuilt, if not then I would not recommend going to a detergent type oil such as 10W30.. This will loosen up the build up of sludge inthe bottom of the oil pan. You need to determine what yoy had. You can add the filter system but stay with the straight weight oil so as not to distrub the old sludge buildup that could be in the bottom of the oil pan. Others are going to chime in on this and they will also say the same thing. My 39 Desoto had the optional throwaway canister oil can style but i converted to the metal canister with the dropin filter becasue of the price. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Hint Look on ebay under u joints and you will find the leather covers. As stated above the NOS rubber covers are 50+ years old and they fall apart when they get put on the cars no and when the oil and grease hit them they do not stand up to the oil. rich hartung

I guess BT Barnum was right about a fool parting with his money.

Sounds as if there was a lot of money that parted hands. As you sttaed above they are only original once and as soon as you change something then the originality is lost. All will have to have work done to them. I saw that 4 pencils sold for 100 dollars. I think there definately was the bidding war going on and people got caught up in the bidding and did not think about the true price they were paying for an item. The old mentality is that I have to have it at any cost. So someone will see the pencils sitting in a box sometime later and say I need a pencil to write something and then sharpen it and use it. Its just an old pencil from some old Chevy Dealership that went out of busin es who cares. So they used it at the cost of 25 dollars and they could care less. Just think about this aspect of the auction. Yes some cars are worth money but this was out of my league. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Most of the mopar suppliers do not have the correct pattern for the runningboards. They sell a generic matting but they still need to be heat valcunized to really stay on the meatal. I would byt the set that Rodney used instead of going witht he total hassle of removing the old material sand lasing and then trying to get them to form to the correct patten. Also then you will have two different patterns on the car if you only do one side. I know cost is a big thing, but if you want to play sometimes we all need to pay. Rich HArtung

If you use a good glue like gator glue it will stick to the metal on the door frame and also on the door panel board. The use of the velcro makes it easier to insatll the panel to the door frame. You can cut your holes for the door and window cranks with the shapenend endge of a pipe. I like to use a threaded end and then i can take my file to the last thread and sharpen it. I then put a cap on the other end and then strike the pipe with my hammer to cut a perfect circle. You can get all diffenet pipe diameters at you local Home Depot. On mu 39 desoto you have the two screw monting bolts for the armrest and then a small srew that hold the end of the door handel shaft in place. The only other method of holding the panel in place are the spring clips adn they rust and again if you do not cur the holes inthe proper location then you have issues. With velco you can put an real nice line at the bottom and sides. Then when you want to take the panels off you start with a thin blade putty knife and start to peel back the two sections of the dood panel. Yes you need to take your time but you still need to take you time with the old style metal clips and then these also fall out from the backer board. Just adding in my suggestions not a expert but have good ideas and this is how I am going to do it on my car. I also use velcro to hold my rugs in place on the floor. I use Contact cement to hold the two parts on the metal floor and on to the rubber backing on the rug. I do this on the fron carpet since it has to mount up agains the contor of teh floor. This works very well for me also. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

The kick panels as Plymouthy states are just plain colored cardboard, and the color that you use is at your picking. Usually they are similar to the color of the upholstery. The originals would of also had a piece of trim material sticted to the end of the kickpanels. There should be two to three mounting screws that would also have a small concave washer. The concave washer protects the kickpannel and from over tightening the screww and then pushing throught the cardboard. The door panel are a heavier cardboard sheet that is black and has some wwaterproofing on the cardboard. I know a lot of people have a sheet of plastic glued to the back of the board to prevent the water and moisture that runs down the widow opening from getting the board wet and then soaking the new upholstery. Other also do not resure the old style clips that hold the cardboard becasue you also have to cut home in the board in the correct locations. Then when you push the board back into place would do have an issue that the clip end can then push out and then you do not have a smooth looking door panel. So to prevent this most resorters are using velcro to hold the panel in place. Thery glue one pice to the frame of the door also the endges and then in other sectiion to insure that it is a tight fit. Also the nice part about using velcon is that you can take the door panel off the door with out having to pryout the old clips and you can reposition the panel if it is crooked. Musch smooth effect. USe the newer techniques since noone will be looking behind the panels. The more upto date methods are better than the older methods in some aspects. You might beable to do the same with the kickpanels. You only plan to do the upholstery once so make it easy on your self. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Rodney got all new boards and correct ruber on the boards from a company I think in Ohio. The cost of the boards and new rubber was about the same as if you sent Adoff Huxley in georgia and had them revalcanized on your original boards. I saw the pictures of the boards that Rodney got and they looked real good and he stated that they bolted right upto his frame without any major issues. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com