desoto1939

This isa simple one. I am mostly on the car side of the forum. I have a 1939 desoto so have used that handle since this is the car that I have. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

Do not remove the rubber boot on the u joint. Just unbolt the u joint via the 4 bolts. If you remove the rubber boot it is very hard to get back on. Just disconnect the u joint body from the end of the trans and also mark the holes with some paint so you can realign in the same position that you took if off to eliminate any vibration issues when putting it back together. Look at the picture from above. The bolts at the red arrow and not the boot at the white arrow. Rich HArtung

I have a 39 Desoto When I went to remove a trans on a 39 Dodge and also Desoto teh two front top plate bolts on the tran cover plat bolt intot he cover. You need to remove these two top bolts also before you can slide the trans out of the bellhousing. I had removed the bolts that were indicated in the picture then after reading my shop manaul I found out that these two additioanl bolts had to be removed. Also take the fron floor pans out and then you can see the top bolts and then you can lift the trans backwards and then out from the top. It weights about 35 lbs so it is not that heavy of a unit. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I had some work done on the car and we replaced the rear upper and lower motor mounts and also had a new clutch and pressure plate put in the car at the same time. When driving the car a good old time mechanic was in the car with me and he said that the vibration might be coming from the vibration dampener. We also replaced the fron moto mont at the same time. The vibration was noticeable at low and high speed. Order the VB dampener had it installed and then engine than ran smooth. This was the original unit from when the car was new that we replaced. Tge rubber was starting to let loose. This is why I sttae the possibility might be the VB dampener. Yes these are now expensive but the VB dampen smooths out the engine. These were onthe bigger Chrysler engines and I know some of the smaller engines might not have one. You are going to have to look at your engine and also your parts book for your car or truck. This was all done in 1990 and the engine is stillrunning smooth Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

It could be your vibration dampener> This is the lowere pully that has the timing marks. The rubber in this gets hard and then craks and thenthe engine is not smooth. Had this happenon my 39 Desoto. replaced this and it solved the issue. If this si the case then the rad has to comeout to get down into the lower engine compartment to pull the pulley. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

It is so nce to hear of a long marriage. So I guess she has decided to keep you after 44 years even with your antique car hobby. I am going on 33 this year so have a ways to catch you and your wife. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Since you are going to build your own harness then I would recommend using the cloth tape to hold the wires in the loom. The original wire harness was in a loom that had blue tracers. The use of plastic tape was used in the 50s. The cloth was more period correct. I would also suggest that you solder the connectors and then use shrick tape to cover the ends where the wire attaches. If you are good at soldering then this will go smoothly. I have used Rhode Island wiring and they have an excellet product and then you just plaug the wires into their correct locations as per their instructions. Just my two cents. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Looked at the interior picture and this has the optional cigar lighter and ashtray, They have removed the steering wheel and have a differnet steering wheel and the shift is onthe floor. Looks to be in good shape. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

I would say Horseless Carraige, Passport and the bigger guys woud be the ones to recommend. They have the experience and also have a vested interest in deliverying a car without any damage. They are very professional. I knew the gentleman that started Horesless Carraige. He was the owner of GOD Guaranteed Over night Delivery. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

We survived the storm of the century here in valley Forge PA. Lost Electric around midning and just got it back on. No damage here to report. But the Jersey shore has been destroyed. It took a hard hit along with NYC and the eastern shore line. My heart goes out to anyone that hasa home that has been hit by the storm. Any other updates by any members that know of anyone along the shore please let us know how they are doing and if we can provide any help as club members? Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

Just saw some pictures of Atlantic City and it is not looking good for this town and the entire coastlien south of AC. The shoreline of NJ just took a major hit tonight. Lights have flickered several times here in Valley Forge PA. This is a real slow moving storm. Best wishes to everyone in the path of this storm. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Rockwood< I live approx 15-20 miles from your extended family. I graduated from West Chester tooo many moons ago. Valley Forge Park is just about 3 miles from my home. I live just off of PA route 363. Its about 3 PM we are getting rain and winds not to bad but the bigger part is coming tonight around midnight. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Someone questioned the fenders on the box. This was the later syle from around 48-52. The 53 had the more box style. Also the interior should be two tone: saet should be a deep brown, while light tan was used on roof, quarter panels and doors. If this was a 53 thenthe dodge name plate should also be on the dash as that was a chnage to the interior for 53. So I think we have a 52 B3 Hartung

Did anyone notice that the sidemount hubcap was different than what is being used on the other wheels. I am not sure if this truck was judged in 91. It has a Green sticker for the Green Field and in 91 that would have been a dirt field. If buying hte truck you would have to point out the flaws to the current owner which also might not be the person that restored the truck. And since it has the Hershey sticker they might also think it was a perfect truck and then spent too much for the truck. its your money if you buy it but go over the truck before putting the final dollards to on the truck. Defeinately notan AACA Senior winner. Maybe a 3rd Junior but still int he Junior category for points. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

Ok great job, To darken the tone of the base yellow take some regular wood stain minwax the color of your choice and then use a foam brush and lay the stain on the garnish molding. after it dries then shoot a clear coat either high or low gloss to get a deeper tone to the wood. I used the kits from Grain-it and this is how is is done but they use rollers to put the grain onthe metal. Call me to discuss. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com 610-630-9188 home

I noticed that where the wireharness for the rear taillights comesout at the base of the sides of the box there is a hole put there is no grommett to prevent the wire from getting cut by the sharp edge of the metal. Think there should be something there. Also question the Radiator hose and also the modern hose clamps. Also question the paiting of the head black and the motor is paitneted silver. Also missing the strips in the bed between the wooden slats. Also the wooden slats should be painted black and not a varish. Hershey has now chnaged their judging on this If this is a Sr truck then whay so many items to be incorrect. This just shows that their judging has some questionable aspects. Also did anyone see the Senrior bage that should be onthe truck to prove it is a Sr winner. I am a car owner so just my thought on the truck. But still a nice truck and you can put it in my driveway any day. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

I would thin that you can put the rubber bushings into the braket first then install the control arm into the opening and then thread the ends onto the control arm. Give that a try. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

From all accounts sounds as if the Jersey shore is going to get the worst part of the storm. They have evactuated everyone on the barrier islands. We are expecting rain, flooding and power outages. Hoping for the best so we just have to ride it out. Best of luck to anyone along the Jersey, Virgina and Delaware cost line. Be safe in what ever you do and remember a down electical or any down wire is a HOT HOT HOT wire expecially after a rain and the puddles and electricity likes to follow a water path. SO BE EXTRA CAREFUL. When I look back at what Washingtons Troops had to endure during their winter encapment in Valley Forge I guess this is not so bad. They had no heat no food and had no winter clothing and had to live in Huts with little or no protection, Then we all have it pretty good compared to those standards. So it could always be worse but have to look on the brighter side of things. Rich HArtung Valley Forge PA

According to my motors book here are the spec for the 38 ply: Preferred caster degrees: +2 Prefeered Camber degrees: + 3/8 Toe In inches: 1/16 King pin inclination in degrees: 5 Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

The .060 should off the entire drum if I remember correctly not each side if then each side it would then .120 off the etire drum. Also in the old days when alot was taken off the drum they would shim the lining when they were using riveted linings. Also remember these old cars do not stop like our modern cars with disk brakes and also power brakes. So always adjust your braking to be a little bit longer in braking distance. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

If I remember correctly I think 60 over is the max so you still have some room left. Adjust all the brakes to get the drums on then perform the minor adjustment. Then push the pedal to set the shoes. Also then check the brake fluid level in the MC. refill if it needs some fluid. You should have a good pedal. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Rodney, The other question is how is the rubber attached to the new board, is it glued or is it valcanized to the board. Also rememebr that these are a repo board so you might have to make modifications to the mounting and also are the mounting holes and braces and reinformenst inthe proper location onthe repos. Also ask if he is drilling out the holes for the running board stainless trim molding or leaving that up to you do do. Ask for a list of references that have purchased 1940 ply boards so you can call them to see if they had any issues. What type of guarrantee is he putting on the boards and the rubber. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

There is a vender that lives in Lebanon, PA. His name is George and he sells brake cable and power steering hoses. He carried NOS brake cables. When I saw him at this years Hershey event hed did have a cable for my 39 Desoto at $60. I will put his information on a Post when I get home. He is a great vendor and very resonable when you look at the same item on Ebay. Here is the info: I have purchase brake cable from this gentleman at Hershey. George 1510 King Street Lebanon, PA 17042 717-273-9502 Brakecables1@pa.net Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com

If you can get brand new AC588 fuel pumps at $15- 20 each then can you order me a couple. All of the local NAPA stores in my area cannot get them anymore. Airtex did make them but they have stopped production on these models and they are not remaking them. The have gone throught the roof if new. They need to be new because of the neopream diaphram because of the enthinol. Let me know if you can get some and I will pay you for them plus the shipping. Looking for the ones with the glass bowel. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

If the generator is totally bad then you might also think of replaing with a 6v positive ground alternator if your car is a driver and not a show car. Just a thought. And then you could get the gen fixed and keep it on hand to go back to originality for the next owner. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com