desoto1939

I like to place the small parts in a numbered egg cartoon to eliminate any issue of which part is the next one to go back into the carb especially those tinny tiny ball bearings. Rich Hartung

If the screws that hold the airhorn in place are to long then put a small washer under the head of each screw. I noticed that on some of the screws there are washers and others there are not. this might also help, but check the float level adjustment could be to high and the gas is leaking out via the gasket or the spring to hold the float is missing or not set properly. Rich Hartung

It might be the presure relief valve inthe MC. I had a similar situation inwhich the pedal was working and then it would go to the floor, but no loss of brake fluid. It was off and on situation. Pull all four drums to determine no leakage. Took the MC out of the which is under the floor on a 39 Desoto took the MC apart and did a rebuild on the internal parts. Left the pressure relief value the old one onthe table. The next day looked at it very closely and then found a very small slit in the rubber gasket. This was allowing the fluid to not build up pressure so the pedal woud go to the floor. After replacing the vale the issue was corrected. Also check the wheel cylinder belled screws to make sure they are not leaking any fluid at the threads where they screw into the wheel cylinder. Rich Hartung

I did find the 1137 riveted brake linings for the gentleman. The price was $20 plus $9 shipping. IWe can not get lining that cheap around here from a brake specilaist. I have the tools to attach the shoes to the metal lining so we might be good to go. Rich Hartung

Yes you could make the tool but also consider the time, metal and also not knowing all of the correct measurements. This is the venturi tube removed that has to be perfect fit so as to not bend or ruin the venturi tube when doing a remove and replace in your BB and Carb. My best suggestion if to purchase the tool and have the correct tool for the B&B carb rebuild. Factory tools are alwasy better that had made tools. Rich Hartung

I have a friend that has a 36 Dodge sedan. I looked in my Wagner Brake book and do not have much data on the brake lining numbers. Anyone know of the appropriate riveted lining numbers for this car. My 1939 Desoto uses the lining number 1162 so looking for any info to help my friend. Thanks, Rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Of note the cap that was used on your car is an R-3 radiator cap. You can find everseal caps model r-3 on ebay. We had a zero pressurized system. Rich Hartung

Sam: is correct in his explaination of this type of underhood light. Inside the hood of the lamp is the socket and that socket is a murcury switched socket. I had one of these on my 39 Desoto and it stopped working and also have a NOS unit still in the box. The push rod with the rubber tip makes contact with the butterfly style hood and then pushes the entire unit down and then the mercruy drops the connection for the light. When the hood opend then the mercury flows again to make the light come back on. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

DON: Question, is there anything in your transmission that needs to have the car running with the engine on at all times? So lets say that you needed to push the car to get it off the road onto the side of the road and then engine will not start, will the trans lock up the driveshaft. I know on my 39 Desoto I put it into neutral and then push the car. I feel that you can safely take the driveshaft off the car entirely at both ends. But first put a red stripe o each pinion end and on the appropriate end on the transa nd the differential so that when you go to put the driveshaft back on you will be putting it back int the same points prior to taking it off the car. This is to insure that you willnot have any vibrations issues. Also take along a good floor jack so you can get under the car to replace and install the DS and also when you get ready to come home. I drove my 39 Desoto to last years convention and traveled over 550 miles averaging between 50-53 mph Hope you have a great trip. Rich Hartung

Skrambler Thanks for the update. I was not trying to be a Pain in the axx with my comment. Hope someone can answer your question. Rich Hartung

Why are you in need of these measurements? The width can be obtained by opening the doors and measure across from the outside edge to the other outside edge at the door piller. This would be almost the center of the car. For the height you will need two people place a piece of wood on the roof make sure it is level and have it stick over the end of the door and then measure the distance up from the ground This will provide you with the approximate measurements. Rich Hartung

As sniper stated maybe some corrosion on the B Terminal or the connector for the light. Also might be a bare wire but the wire to the light is a covered in plastic or rubber. Recheck the wire as it comes near the volt regulator. I am stumped on this one also. Rich

You should be ok I have the same on my 39 Desoto and just use the rubber gasket that seals the lid. Make sure you runthe car after the complete installation to make sure you have a complete seal at the lid so that you will not leak any oil from the lid. Rich Hartung

Clayton: I had one of these on my 39 Desoto and i also connected mine to the Battery Terminal on the volt regulator. Until you posted a picture of the lamp i thought you were talking about the hood ornament like onthe deSotos that had the plastic Desoto face that had a bulb behind the yellow plastic insert. Just a FYI you might just want to pull the lead at the B contact point on the Volt reg when the hood is open because of the light being on. Also check the light in the dark garage when you part the car tomake sure the lights goes off and is not drawing any current to run down the battery. Could use an alligator clip to make the quick connection when needed. Car is looking great. We were at a local town car show last night that had over 300 cars and was run by the local firehouse as a fund raiser. Drove the car home around 9PM and the light were ok but not great but knew the roads so not really any big issues. I hope to see you at Hershey in October. Also happy fathers day. Rich Hartung

I always start the install process of any bolt using this method. It makes is so much easier to get the threads started and then you do not cross thread a bolt. I have a friend with a 39 Desoto and he also uses the magnetic oil pan bolt and has also stated the same thing with the strength of the magnet. Rich Hartung

I looked up your distributor IAT-41-01c here is the information taken from a 1953-54 Dodge truckalso 1954 P25 Plymouth follow the heading for both to get the points cap rotoe part number for autolite. Rich hartung hope this solved your problem. Collecting parts catalogs alwasy comes to the rescue. So as a antique car owner always look for parts catalogs that support your car.

Is your car exterior also battleship gray or another color? My 39 Desoto was painted Streamliner Gray or Battleship gray on the exterior surfaces. The truck lid and also the interior door frames and the floors were also painted the same color. But the inside of the hood and side panels were painted a very dark black green color and it looked as if it was a special interior paint. I think this was their primer color for these two sections onthe car. Rich Hartung

I agree with the battery being stored and also on a charger if you have very very cold winters. I would also place the battery on a piece of wood and pull the caps and checkthe water level when being stored and also use distilled water. Rich Hartung

Rich Hartung with the 39 Desoto 4 door Sedan. Can you get some pictures of the 39 Desoto Coupe. Also some pictures of the data tag on the left front cowel. There is a lot of information that I can tell about the car. I maintain a national 39 Desoto registry and the information is so valuable to the National Desoto Club so that we can keep track of these very unique cars that were the last of their kind. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

If you get static then go to NAPA and get a Radio Statis Condenser and install it on the generator. Rich Hartung

Also purchase a battery extender charger to keep the battery at full charge when the car is inthe garage. This will also extend the life of the battery. I get on average 4-6 years out of a 6 volt battery for my 1939 Desoto by having it on the extender battery charger. Rich Hartung

The cyclebond are bonded linings. I have riveted lining on my 39 Desoto. Best suggestion is to check your service manual on your specific car and look under the section for brakes. They might have a picture of how each shoe long and short were installed on your car.

Brake shoes on the older Desoto.docxBrake shoes on the older Desoto.docxOn the Lockheed brake system you will have a short and a long lining. On the cars that have the step wheel cylinders like on my 39 Desoto the front shoe on any of the wheels went inthe front and the short shoe was in the rear on each axle. Also the short lining was at the bottom of the rear shoe. In todays word the mechanics reverse the shoes. Chyrsler did it differently Look in your factory service manual it should show pictures of the braking system and this would have beenthe factory settings. Refer to the two docs attached Rich Hartung Brake Shoe setup long and short linings Lining Number 1162.docx

They are two bushings in the dizzy upper and lower. On the shaft there isa pin that has been peened over. This has to be removed and then the shaft can come apart. I have the miller factory to to push the bushing in and out and also burnish the bushings. Rich Hartung

cannuck: If gas is leaking out around the throttle plate then the bushings might be worn and since this isa low point inthe carb the gap might be why the gas is leaking. You might have to send the carb out for a total rebuild and have them install all new bushings. I do not have any idea on a cost but will not be cheap. Rich Hartung