desoto1939

The bleeder screw are different. If you take out a bleeder screw in one of the other cylinders then put a piece of wood betweenthe floor bopard and the back of your brake pedal. This will stop the pedal from being pressed down by accident and willnot allow any fliuid to be pushed out of the wheel cylinder. You might get some leakage but should not be alot. Take the example with you to insure you get the correct length and taper on the end of the screw rich

As per the other responce the 37-39 cg is part number 661302 40 part # 853885 41-52 part# 697823 These fit all the mopar cars from the years listed. I do see alot of the 40 CG on ebay every so often. I would go with the 1940 specific CG. This is just my opinion. Rich desoto1939@aol.com

Seth, Welcome to the club. Looks like you have a great car to start with. TAfter llong at the pictures the bumpers seem to just need to be replated along with the grill. Look into this before buying unless you can get better quality at a cheap price. The shiping is going to be high with the weight and size. Go on ebay and start looking for parts also join a car club and start going to car shows and local fle markets. Start searching the web. The Walter P chrysler club is a good club to join and is specifically set for all of the Chrysler vehicles and this is a large club and they have a monthly newsletter and you can also put an advetisement for parts wanted. I have a 39 Desoto which was the next division of chrysler that was just priced a little bit lower than the Chryslers. If you can get to Hershey in the fall in October this is the largest flea maret with approx 6-10 thousand vendors sell all kinds of antique car parts. Keep posting what you are doing with the car and ask lots of questions. It is nice to see that you are interested in the hobby. Enjoy the car. rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.

This is what I have learned over the years from my 39 Desoto that has the 1 brake cyclinder on each wheel with the eccentrics. I have both the Ammco brake gage and also the Miller MT19 tool with all of the sleeves (7) to fit the various cars and smaller trucks. I have done a lecture for the AACA at the Phila delphia Convention this past Winter in Feb. After doing the brake job with either tool this just get the shoes arched in the proper setup for your drums. You still need to do a minor brake adjustment to really get the good pedal that we want. As per other discussions since we now almost always have power disc brakes on our cars we have forgotten that the older cars did have a softer pedal especially since there was not powere and also because there is a single line to supply the fluid to the cylinders. If you just do the major brake without the minot brake adjust you will still have a soft pedal. Keep the brakes adjusted every 1000 miles. Also with Dot 5 synthic fluid you need to completely flush the MC and all lines with denatured alcohol. This needs to be done several times prior to putting in the dot 5. I bleed mine at least three times and on the last time the lines then were clear of the old fluid. When the dot 3 mixes with the dot 5 you will see the seperation of the two fluid in the catch jar. write to me if you need the ammco brake gage. I live near Valley Forge PA. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Did you adjust the brakes to insure that they are close to the drum. Also do you have the Lockheed brakes with the eccentrics? Did youmove the eccentrics? When you do a brake job and replace the shoes on the older mopar cars that had the lockheed brakes with the eccentrics and the eccentrics are moved to adjust the heel you either need the miller brake tool or the aftermarket Ammco brake gage. Let me know what you did? First readnjust the brake shoes as a minor brake adjustment. with the upper cam spin the wheel and then lock the shoe to the drum then backoff the shoe so the drum has a slight drag. The do the same to theother shoe. Now the show will be close to tge drum. Bleed the line again. You should now be getting a harder pedal. Brake adjust ment is very critical with the old Lockheed brakes. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

This guy owns his 48 Desoto. it is his car and not yours. He is spending his money not yours and he is doing this on his own time not yours. We are here to help and provide assistance. If we are true car guys and car crazy then we shoudl be willing to help. When anyone of us can give advise that is great but lets be positive for this new member. If you are going to pay for the restoration out of your own pocket for this gentleman then you have the right to input what he should be doing to the car. Currently he owns the car ad is footing the entire expense to restore it to his liking not yours or my liking. I have gone to tooo many show where people are criticising everyones car on had they did something or did not do something. It is not our car and everyone has a budget to work with. Lets be respectful of each other and pass our knowledge on so we can keep these old beauties running for everyones enjoyment even if someone has decided to customise a car to their wishes. I bet that alot of your guys wish you had a custom street rod that was done by Boyd and some of the other big names. If it were not for some of these guys and some of our early car designers we would not have some of the great looking cars like the Desoto Adventurer. I like both the originals and also the customs. Persoanlly I think it is much harder to customise a car then to bring it back to originality. These are just my thoughts and to the 48 Desoto owner do as you heart desires for YOUR car since you are the one that will be driving it and enjoying it. I am a proud own of a 39 Desoto that I have tried to keep as stock as possible but that is my choice and not anyones elses to comment on or put me down for taking this direction. This is a hobby and for some a way to escape the daily pressures of our lives lets all enjoy the expierences together. I love smell of old MoPAr exhust. All comments welcomed. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Also if you can install an new pilot bushing is you have the puller to take it out but definetly re grease the input when it goes into the pilot bearing. I have the miller tool that is used to align up the clutch plate. If you have a 39 trans in the car you need to remove the two front top cover bolts before you try to pull the trans out of the bell housing. This is very important replace everything that you can when you have the trans a presure plate and clutch out. The hard work is done do it once and then you know that you have it all replaced Do a new throwout and bearing. When the Drive shaft is down check the universals for play and also greae then again. Check the boot if you have the old style detroint of pin and trunion. rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

Even if the cowel has a new gasket and water is leaking into the vent the water should not be getting into the front section of the car. You might have two situations here, 1. The sheet metal unter the vent has some holes 2. There is also a drain hose that comes out of the vent area is this blocked Check this entire area. When I had my glass replaced on my 39 Desoto I had to go back and run a small silicone bear around the exterior stainless trim where it met up with the window glass. Thsi helped my situation. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

If your car is setup with 12v then hook up a gps. Then set the spped indicator to a specific setting say 45. Bring your car up to this speed. the unit should then tell you taht you have gone over the speed setting. If the unit does not inform you then continue increasing your speed until then unit signals your setting. The GPS will give you the correct speed since its is going against a triangulated system of satillites. I have done this with my modern car to determine if my speedometer is correct. Our modern cars can also be off by a few miles. This will also help if you want to contest a speeding ticket. Just thougth that might help. rich desoto1939@aol.com

You have class with a Desoto. i own a 39 Desoto and have attached a picture. I have some of the old Miller tools that you might need to use when retoring your car. The lockheed brakes witht he eccentrics can be a realy pain but I have the tools to adjust them and can get you throught this job very eaisly. Where do you live and do you have any pictures of the 48? Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

The 39 Ply, Dod, Desoto and Chrysler had tapered rear axles with a key. You will also need a 3 arm drum puller to get the drums off the tapered axle.When you have the drum off I would also suggest that you replace the outer oil seals. Thes just bolt onto the backing plate. This is a 10 minute job. Get a new pair with the neopreane seal instead of the old leather. I have a 39 Desoto so I know the setup. Rich desoto1939@aol.com

I have the proper miller tool for pulling the axle that is enclosed in the lower corner of the picture that was part of the first inquiry. Where do you live. I also require a deposit on the tool and insurance onthe tool. I also have several other miller tools that are used for the brakes and other major repairs. rich hartung:) desoto1939@aol.com

Lee: i have a 39 Desoto not sure if this board will fit the 39 but will check my numbers and my hollander book to see if this will fit my 39 Desoto. You had sent us literature for the Desoto convention that was held in Valley Forge PA back in 98. I ranthe convention rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Look at the wires they might even be steel stans. I had steel in my 39 desoto inthe headlight wires. Also the old stuff had cloth covered and did not have the plastic coating over the wire stans. The new cloth covered wire is modern wire with plastic coating and then the cloth cover is pulled over the wire. This way the wire looks original but is totally better and will last longer and the water willnot get into the line. Also when you do a rewire sodder the connecters. The modern crimp style are ok but soddering will insure a good connection and also reduces the chance that the wire will pull out of the connecter. Also on your headlihgt and tailights run a seperate ground wire. This will improve the brightness to the light. Rust and paint always run a ground. Take the extra time and you will always have a good light. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

On the old mopars that used the cloth covered wire Chrysler used slash or hash marks on the cover of the wire. If i remember I think 1 slash was 16 g, 2 slash 14gague 3 slash 12 ga. If you check with rodhe Island wiring they can also confirm which slash and color to use if you are going back to original. I would suggest that you go down a guage or to a heaveir wire that was was the orginal or replace a 16 gauage with a 14 gauge. Rhode Island wire can provide the various guage so that a replacement 14 gague for a 16 gauge can have the same original sticker or slash as the orginal but the wire has been upgraded to carry more amps and volts. If you just want to rewire and do not care about originality that always go to a heavier wire for 6v. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

I have a 39 Desoto and I have used this company with very good results and they are good to work with you when you need special wiring applications. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

I would suggest that you install a shutoff value on the small cast iron piece that bolts onto the waterpump. This helps when ever you have to remove the heater. You can turn off the flow of water at the top of the block at the rear of the engine and also at the waterpump. This way you will only have water and antifreeze solution in the two rubber hoses that feed the heater and then you do not have to drain the radiator to work on the heater. On my 39 Desoto I made a braket that attaches to my exhaust manifold just behind the carb and this hold the rubber hose so it does not rub a hole in it. Send me your email and i will send you a picture of my setup. rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

I am anot a mopar truck expert but I thought I had read that the beds were a rough plank and painted a flat black. If you are going to be taking a truck to an AACA regioanl show for judging you better read the judging manual. They are now deducting major points on the pickups that do not have the beds painted black as they did when they came out from the factory. If the truck had already been judged then they will grandfather the bed if it is not painted black. People buy cars and items from BJ and have not done their research and they think the items are perfect but this is an example that might be incorrect. I have a 39 Desoto so just commenting in onthe truck scene. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Scott: I have a 39 desoto with a napa paper air filter instead of the old mesh oil bath air filter. I measured the height of the old filter and then whent to a NAPA sore and they were able to give me a modern air filter that fits. This is a lot cheaper and the car looks stock except for the filter. If you show the car then you can just chnage the filter at the show. You also get a better and cleaner air wit the paper and it is a throwaway. My home email is desoto1939@aol.com. I can take a picture and send the number on the filter. rich Hartung

He guys: I have a 39 Desoto that has all matchinh numbers with the trans engine, rear etc. I attend several cruise night with the street rods. i do not care what these guys fell or say about my car. Anyone can put a v8 in a car but it takes more effort to restore a car back to originality. I am very proud of what I have done and remember that if it was not for the old 4 bangers and the flat 6s those v8 would not have been onthe road. Also remember that my 39 6 has more hp that Fords early v8s. So go suck my exhust and just enjoy your car. When someones says something about my car I say give me the money to fix it your way or buy MY car. Its your car and you do what you want to do with it we all dance to our own specila music and mine is a flat head 6.

I rewired a 1939 Desoto with modern wire and used 14 guage wire for the car. I used the 12 guage wire when I was coming off the stater motor to bring the current over to the headlight relay you can use 10 g here. There is not difference for wire verus 12 v or 6v in reference to gage. Gage is a standard measurement for wire thickness. The lower the number the thicker the strands. In 6v you should always have a lowere number. Also remember that back in the 30 some of the wire was steel an not alwasy cooper. I found this in my headlight wires. Also of not for your lights make an extra wire as a ground wire this will improve your lighting and also insure that if you painted something in the headlight and tailght area you will always get the lights to work. My tailights were working and then had to have the rear fender painted and then lost the stoplight. It was the loss of a good ground. Grounding is very important with a 6v system. As stated before the companies that are reporducting wires looms are using modern wire coated with palstic and then a cloth covering. The old cloth covered wires just had the cloth over the wires and when the water would break down the cloth you lost electric power. Use modern wire if this is a driver and then go for the newer wire harness if going for AACA or show car.

Go read the Wall Street Journel today and look at who is on the GM board of Directors. The board is made up of people that do not have any car manufacturing experiecne. The are Ceo's of big companies, drug companies and college presidents. May be a total shake up is needed to get these companies back to getting out products that will help the country. The general public does not decide what cars we want. The designers tell us what cars to buy. They product the cars and trucks and we are left to purchase what they produce. In this time they made the big trucks and SUV's and we as the public bought into the marketing that if we do not have a big truck or SUV then we are not cool. We as the public need to not get caught up in all of the marketing of the products but buy want we need for our own persoanl use. We are acting like we are little kids back in grade school and Junior HS. If we do not have the latest gadit then we are not part of the in crowd. Grow up America. The guys on the auto assembly line only assemble what the higher exec decide what to product. The line worker is left holding the bag os goods. They are tyring to produce a good product. Go after the ones that made the decisions not the average worker.

Hey guy I even have a better one. I have an old track bicycle with wooden wheels (rims) and the hubs, the crank and the headst. this is where the handlebars go into the frok assembly also are marked BSA and they have the small arms logo on the parts. rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Brendan: The car stillhas the factory interior for the seats and door panels. I had to replace the headliner. Still has the factory radio and heater and also the facotry clock in the glovebox lid. The 39 Chrysler had a lot of plactic pats on the dash that would get distorted because of the oil in the plastic parts. Mine still has the factory woodgraining. I installed the dodge fender lamps to use as turnsignals. The desoto used these on their export cars to Euorpe. I have had the car or 21 years. Still has the original runningboards and original rubber on the boards. Thinking of trying to get this HPOF certified at the AACA show that is being held in Gettysburg this may. Not to sure if it will get past the judges. I have the following options onthe car, Mopar Heater, radio, rear gravel stone shield, fog lights. I did have the factory fender skirts. Galss has been replaced and was able to get the correct etched factory info for the safety glass and also in the correct placement. This is a very period correct car for anyone that is looking for pictures an info. I have rewired the car with modern wire and still need to use the appropriate cloth covered wire wit the strikers onthe wire but not to concerned at this point. Will to help anyone with any 39 MoPar questions rich Hartung

Rodney. I have the sister car a 1939 Desoto S6 4 door Sedan. The 39 Dodge, Desoto and Chrysler do share some parts such as glass and doors and trunk lid and trans. As you may know the motor inthe 39 Desoto will fit into the chrysler. The ply and Dodge are the smaller engines. The hood od the Dodges willnot fit on the Des or Chrylsr because they are smaller in length. I have been going to Hershey for the past 25 years and the parts for these cars are getting harder to find almost impossible. Ebay is a good place to look. You can get the engine parts at a NAPA store. There is a guy on Ebay that is now repoing the interior dash buttons and window crank buttons. This isa great touring car. If you get the car I will try to help you with what ever I can. Please contact me. Send me you internet address and I will send you some pictures of my 39 Desoto. rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com 484-431-8157 I live near valley Forge PA.