desoto1939

Since the owner is new to flatheads the other questions has he cleaned the engine and taken out the welsh or freeze plugs to clean out any and all crud from the block. Has he checked the timing of the car, did he pull the waterpump and inspect the water tube. did he mess around with the carb or anything else. All questions that he might want to answer so we can help diagnosis the problem. Has the engine been rebulit. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

For anyone that does not the History of AB's. Andy did sell the business several years ago and the new owner is Chris. Chris is not as experienced as Andy was. Yes Andy did have issues with his personality. We all know that when taking over a business there are growing pains. Yes chris has made some mistakes with parts but he has always welcomed the discussion about the part and is willing to take them back and send the correct part. We all did not know everything about our flat head six. It took us several years to get the knowledge and skill set to be able to work on these cars. Not everyone is a skilled ASE mechanic, some have learned just by trying to fix things others have been fortunate to have learned on the job or have worked with other owners that had the knowledge. I have been working on my 39 desoto for 35 years. The other day i had two front drums turned. I guy I use is not cheap but is a very good mechanic. Before putting the drum into the drum cutter he took 5 lug bolts and screwed then as tight as possible into the brake drum. He explained that since our hub and drum are riveted together you can not tellif these is any looseness between the two parts. By screwing the drum back against the hub it keep everything tight and then if there is any looseness there might have been a bad cut and it might not be a good cut. As not being a mechanic I would have never thought about this, but he took his time to show me and explain the process. He did not learn this over night but his experience is what he was passing on to me. All in All it is the knowledge that we all have and the process of passing that onto other less experienced members and car owners is what counts so all lets try to help each other when someone is having a problem. Tks, Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com

I prefer a FP with the glass bowel. It does not matter how clean the gas is going into your gas taken. If there isa ny sedement in the tank, ust or any left over crap, then the glass bowel will permit it to sink to the bottom and then you will know when it needs to be cleaned. Also prefer to has a glass bowel inline gas filter just before the carb for the same basic reason. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Mark Your 46-48 radtior uses an R-3 NON-Pressurized cap that is the same that I use on my 39 desoto. I checked my Atlas catalog to verify the correct cap Number. NO PRESSURIZED CAP IS TO BE USED. Rich Hartung

Marc: If yours is like my 39 Desoto there is just a color strip of paper that has the appropriate color and as the needle moves these is a little white round knob that lets the color come through the knob and it is the color on the paper. Not sure if your is the same but might be the same. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

After the car is up on the jack stands see if you can rock the car and make sure it is stable. Do NOT and I again say Do Not work under the car with any type of music or radio playing. This will drownout if the car starts to move and squeek if it decide to not take firm on the jack stands. Also might suggest that you have a second person working with you such as a spotter on the floor incse they need to pull you out from under the car. or get a pair of two way baby monitors so that you can call for help and make sure the other person can hear you on their end. But basically it would be better off if the car was on a full 4 point hydraulic lift in a garage. No car is perfectly safe when raised up in the air. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

ok so in my hollander catalog under radiator the part number for Chrysler 6 cylinder and desoto 6 cylinder is part # 972210. Chrysler 6 from 1942-48 and Desoto 42-48 use the same radiator. Rich Hartung

ok so according to my Hollander cross ref book under radiatorsMarc: so if the rad shop sent you a radiator what is the number that is stamped on the top of the tank. Tell us that number might be able to figure what it fits. The next big question is what are your plans for the Desoto, Are you planning to enter it into AACA sanctioned car shows to be point judged or are you going to enter it in small local car show and might be visually judged for trophies or are you just trying to get the Desoto back up and running as a driver car and get the best possible replacement components that will permit you to have the car running again? I thnik prior to purchasing a radiator you need to know what direction you are heading in for thecar. Also have to remember that these cars do not bring a lot of money when being sold. The Adventurers and the late 50's desoto and convets are the ones that bring in the money and even then it is hard to get the asking price becasue not evey one is associated with the Desoto Product and love afare. If you are looking for a good driver then get a modern replacement paint it black and most of the people looking at the car will not know the difference and just go out and driver the car and have fun with it or spend the big bucks and the average car show person still would not know if it is correct or not and then most could not even care. In most car show the spectators are all looking for the BLING in the engine comparment, blowers, nitos systems chrome valves covers, chrome air cleaners, headers and any tricked out gizmo that can be put onthe car. They have no idea what is correct just the looks is what counts for them. So your decision to make. Hope this helps you make the right choice in a radiator. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Marc: so if the rad shop sent you a radiator what is the number that is stamped on the top of the tank. Tell us that number might be able to figure what it fits. The next big question is what are your plans for the Desoto, Are you planning to enter it into AACA sanctioned car shows to be point judged or are you going to enter it in small local car show and might be visually judged for trophies or are you just trying to get the Desoto back up and running as a driver car and get the best possible replacement components that will permit you to have the car running again? I thnik prior to purchasing a radiator you need to know what direction you are heading in for thecar. Also have to remember that these cars do not bring a lot of money when being sold. The Adventurers and the late 50's desoto and convets are the ones that bring in the money and even then it is hard to get the asking price becasue not evey one is associated with the Desoto Product and love afare. If you are looking for a good driver then get a modern replacement paint it black and most of the people looking at the car will not know the difference and just go out and driver the car and have fun with it or spend the big bucks and the average car show person still would not know if it is correct or not and then most could not even care. In most car show the spectators are all looking for the BLING in the engine comparment, blowers, nitos systems chrome valves covers, chrome air cleaners, headers and any tricked out gizmo that can be put onthe car. They have no idea what is correct just the looks is what counts for them. So your decision to make. Hope this helps you make the right choice in a radiator. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

when we did the repaint on my 39 Desoto I removed the metal brakets and we drill new holes and used plastic trip clips that fit into the trim. The holes in the body were made smaller that the end of the press in button to make sure they were a tight fit. The plastic eliminated the potential rust issue and also of the bracket rusting away. i have had mine on the car since 1996 for over 26 years. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Since the radiator is out of the car also a good time to check the front moto mount. If it even look a little compressed or even hard then replace it now it is easier to replace now then when the rad is back in the car and also more room to bolt the unit to the support. lso since the radiator is out check all the welsh plugs onthe driver side of the motor now that the water has been drained. Might consider replacing with Brass plugs and cleanout the ports of any crap. More work but since the engine is down do it now while the rad is being repaired. Also clean off the face of the block where the water pump gasket goes against the block to make sure it does not have any leftover gasket. I had a saml piece of gasket still onthe block and it leaked so took it all apart and found the left over peice of gasket. I also apply slight layer of greas to hold the gasket inplace and to also makean additionall seal on the block and the backing plate of the water pump. If you can get a WP that has the sealed bearing instead of the fiber seal then also suggest changing the WP It will last longer. If you go to the Sealed WP then you might have to pull one of the mounting studs so that you can install the sealed pump becasue of the thicker water pump body. Also change out the WP hoses while everything is apart also check the curved water return tube that connects to the bottom of the radiator. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Here isa PDF of the P15 frame specification. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com P15 frame spec sheet.pdf

on my 39 desoto the line runs over the top of the head and then connects to the carb. Mine also has specific amount of coiled line to take of for any distributor rotation. Rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

most cars of this vintage used 600x16 the 6.50 x 16 were also used. Check you service manual or evenin your glove box there might be a decal on the glove box liner with the tire size info. look at the document below the tird column is the tires sizes used according to my Atlas replacement catalog Hope this helps you. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

what plug type and number are you running for this car? I would suggest that you get another set of the same just to have as spares. If they are a regular plug then set the gap at 25. A friend of mine is running Autolite 295 sparkplugs and has found then at his local walmart. They cost around $1.85 each. They have the chrome base and are a replacement for the Champion J8. Whole lot cheaper than getting them off the internet. Just some thought on sparkplugs. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Mark Here are pictures of the correct thermostat for your car taken from my Autostat catalog. Rich Hartung

not sure if the 3 grams will make that much of a difference but not an expert. Are all 6 piston the same manufacturer. i noticed that one had the DPCD stamped logo on the inside. Might be that at some point they just did a top end on this old engine and could be different manufacturer of the piston. Just my thought on the question. Rich Hartung

Marc: on my 39 Desoto on each side of the main body of the radiator thee are flanges with holes drill in specific locations. Bolts and nuts go thrugh the holes to bolt the radiator to the support. Post a picture of the radiator and also the support. Rich Hartung

Go to Andy B site he has the threaded shut off value that screws into the head at the hole near the number 6 spark plug. I use two shut off values one onthe head and the other at the bypass end where the curve pipe would be threaded. reason. I now can control the entire flow of water to the heater core. so if i have to remove the heater i can turn off the water flow at the rear of the head and at the pump. Now this prevents me from drainng the radiator so that there is no water flow to the heater core. And if the heater core does start to leak I can turn the water off and or just reroute the heater hoses to each end of the shut off valve. GO to ebay and there are several of these valves ranging from 18-35 dollars each. refer to the below picture of the two shutoff values installed in my 39 Desoto and the routing of the heater hoses. I have had this installed this way for the past 35 years. Rich Hartung Desto1939@aol.com

According to my Autolite Manual if you remove a sparkplug you should also replace the copper or steel washer. These serve to make a good seal inthe head. Our old Mopar flaties mostly use a 14mm sparkplug with a 3/8 reach. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

recommend getting two cardboard egg cartons and numer each slot or hole. As you take the carb apart put the pasrts in the numbered slots as you disemble the carb. this keeps the parts inorder so that whn you put it back together you just start from the last numbered slot and to back to Number 1. Also becarefe of the two small steel ball bearing they are different size do not and I again DO NOT get them mixed up this will cause problems. Get the rebuild doc for your model carb.. let me know what carb you have I might have the rebuild document. It is easy to do just take your time. You did the brakes on the car you can do the carb. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

I heard back from McMasters this morning. i sent them the document that showed the specific fitting with all of the measurements. They wrote back to and stated they do not carry this item. My next check is with Restoration supply and then to a plumbing supply store. Wish me luck. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

I also do not have any issue with this person joining in the P15D25 Forum. He is interested in saving a Plymouth and this is a very good reason why we need to invite him to join and participate. He can learn from us and we can also learn from him. The hobby needs to keep going forward. In several of my Local clubs we are seeing that they are starting to see that the club members are getting older and are not participating and or even comingout to the club meeting and or even car tours. Here is a prime example. The Local chapter , the Independence chapter of the NCPC, Nationa Chrysler Products Club, has now officially closed their club becasue they could not get anyone to step up and become the new President. This is a sign of the times noone want to help out but want everyone else to do the work and reap the benefits of the club. The AACA over the years is also having the same issue with the local clubs. They are having a hard time getting new young blood to join the AACA. The hobby has changed to being for the more modern cars and hot rods and going to cruise nights and not having to pay dues to a local club and or even the AACA. The draw of the AACA is slowly changing and I can also see this when attending the Hershey event and also some of the AACA tours and major car judging event. And even in a couple of year around 2035 the country will be switching to electric cars/trucks so the hobby will change even more and there willbe less of an interest in our old gas vehicles. So we all need to inbrace what is happening and try to keep the hobby alive. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

I looked in my 39 Desoto parts book and also found the same number as indicated from above. Then went to my MoPar standards pats book and found the part number 119335 and copied the page with the information. Refer to Part Type code 18-130-2 3/16 3/8-27 thread. Hope this provides everyone with the info. If anyone finds this fitting please let everyone know the company and part number and the contact info and price. I have sent and email to restoration Supply in Windber PA and also to MacMaster to see if they carry this special fitting. If they do carry the fitting I will post the information and the price. Lets all keep our fingers cross that we can find the special connector. or if anyone else finds one please post the info. Rich Hartung Oil gage Nut with slleve assembly 119335.pdf

Young ed do you have a part number for these connector and also where did you get yours. I was tryting to explaind to Marc in my reply about the ferrule at the end. even contacted several MoPar venders about the oil pressure gage and this special line end and they did not have any or even know about the special end. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com