desoto1939

adam: Joge and i had communicated via email about some missing parts onhis 39 Desoto since i also own the same car. He stated that he wanted to keep the car original so that is why i explained the procedure to adjust the brakes because of my prior conversation. Now he is talking about upgrading his brakes. The forst thing to do is make sure that the brake system is working properly and then he can determine if he wants to or needs to upgrade to disk brakes. I still have the original lockheed brake systemonmy car and have a very or great brake pedal and stop very well so I stil lthink it is an adjustment issue. So let him figure out and then he can ask for more information. Also ihave the brake tools so it is not a hard job. i have the Miller MT19 brake gage and also the Ammco gage. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Joge: i have the same car This is rich Hartung, What is the issue with your brakes. You need to remember that these lockheed brakes do not have automatic adjuster to compensate for brake shoe wear. They need to be manually adjusted approx every 6 months or depending on the amount of driving that you have been doing. Is the brake pedal soft and has a lot of travel. Then i would first check to see if the brakes need adjustment. Make sure there is no leaking in the brake system. Start with a fron wheel and use the upper cam to bring the shoes out more. Do you know how to adjust these brakes? There are two upper cams adjust one at a time. Pul the cam so the shoes move outward and lock or stop the tire rotation while the tire is off the ground then backoff until you hear a little amount of drag then do the same with the other adjuster cam on the same whel. Then push the brake pedal down to set the adjustement. Then do the other fron wheel inthe same manner. Then jack up the rear so that both rear wheels are off the ground and do the same procedure that you did on the front. This is called a minor adjustement procedure to compensate for brake shoe wear. The Major adjustment is more complecated but try this first. call me at my home or cellphone H 610-630-9188 cell 484-431-8157 desoto1939@aol.com Rich Hartung

Now tht you have found the issue with the dizzt lead wires here isa document that willtell you the Autolite wire number that you need for the dizzy. Happy reading and pick up some at a swap meet if you find them and then put them in your parts box in your old car or truck. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com Small Dizzy Lead wires.pdf

clay: i just went to the Monroe Shockes web page did a search on 1947 Dodge the rears are showing as model Monro-Matic 3100 The fronts are number 5752 Hope this helps you get the correct shock I have these on my 39 Desoto. Rich Hartung

y Bingster here isa picture of the rubber oil line notice the two metal lines the bottom one come s up from the engine blcok the top metal line goes to the oil filtr.. The oil line to the oil pressure gague does not run from the oil filter it run from the connection at the base of the engine. Rich

Bingster: As a previous posted has stated you are making this harder on yourself. Fisrt you need a metal line that runs from the engine block thenthe flared fitting to match the rubber hose and yes rubber Oil Line. They are approx 6 inches long with an inverted flare on both ends. Contact Any Bernbaum he has them then there is another metal line that runs to the Oil Pressure guauge this part of the metal line runs throught the cowl metal part and goes throught the rubber grommet to the oil gage. We have explained this over and over agian hope you now get the big picture. Spend the money to get the right part and stop playing around and trying to jerry rig the system Rich HArtung

so why is everyone purchasing the aftermarket crap and not trying to get the NOS or original Autolite points and condesors and caps and rotors. Is the issue that they do not know the correct numbers. Go to swap meets with you Autolite numbers and purchase the good old equipment first and have extras on hand Also pick up the good old autolite and other manufactures catalogs so you can get the cross reference numbers to support your car or truck. Rich HArtung

this is a 1939 Dodge coupe and the parts will not fit on the 39 Desoto. The desoto has the 25inch engine block and the dodge has the 23 inch engine block. The trans will work and rear end. Trim is also different. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

according t my National Oil seals catalog the timing cover seal for 1946-48 D24 is NAtional Number 6186 and this is the same as the victor gasket ss49521 hope this helps get the correct gasket or seal. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Did you notice that on the bottom lip of you rubber cover plate this same unit was also produced in Brown and there isa mopar number stamped on the base of the edge. I am assuming that this is an original rubber gasket around the steering column at the base of the floor board. Might also want to check with steele rubber. They are not cheap but have good quality rubber parts. Rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com

This is rich hartung with a 39 desoto contact me at desoto1939@aol.com also sent you a private message. Rich

glad to see that you are learning about your car and how things work onthe car. Keep us posted on the fuel issue. I might also suggest that you read up on the new stabilizer product call 360. It is a great product to use in our older cars that have metal gas tanks. When the 360 product is put into the tank it then creates a vapor that coats the upper metal of the tank to help prevent rusting becasue of the enthinol and also helps to keep the fuel lines and carb clean. The 360 product can be purchased at Walmart and they seem to have the cheapest price. I use it in my 39 desoto and also in my modern cars. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

In our club a person had the cutoff switch mounted on the floor of his 1936 plymouth and then one day while on tour the engine stop running and he could not get the car started. Because the cutoff switch was on the floor his foot hit the switch by accident when moving his feet around and he turned off the power from the battery. So make sure if you mount on the floor board that you will not hit the switch with your foot. for better battery life you should also think about keeping a trickle charge on the battery. This keeps the battery yup to par and then also prolongs the life of the battery. Having a bettery sit and then only getting charged when the engine is runn causes the plates to slowly loose the metal and then the battery discharges. This has been discussed at the AACA annual meeting in Philadelphia and by keeping it charged you should get 6+ years out of a battery and maybe even more. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

The sission choke was an option onthe 39 Plymouth but was used on the 39 and up Chrysler, dodge and Desoto's. In the picture of the D6H2 the hole that is showing on the linkage was used for the rod that came off the sisson choke lever to acuate the choke butterfly in the carb. So does you car have two small studs on the manifold on a flat spot just behind the caburator. If the manifold has this then this is where the sisson choke would have been mounted with a gasket. There also would have been a wire that connected to the starter selinoid that ran to the choke. The electric choke was energised from the starter contact wire. Below is a picture of the sisson choke installed in my 39 desoto Note the location of the choke and the electric wire and the metal rod to operate the choke buttefly Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

Here isa picture of a D6H2 carb taken from Ebay.

why are some member being very critical of the gentleman that is having the issue? I give him credit for asking the questions and also great credit for trying to learn about his car and the electrical system. Yes the forum has a great amount of season veteran antique car owners that have a great deal of knowledged. But least remember that YOU All did not know it all when you were first starting out in this hobby. We allhave to learn at some point in time. Yes the owner could have taken it to a mechanic and the mechanic would have found the issue and fixed the car, But would the mechanic have explained what he did and transfered his knowledge to this owner, I think probably NOT. So now the owner has some kinowledge and can keephis car running incase it has a breakdown on the road. I must say that there are members on this forum that also ask alot of questions also, so why is not that you do not put down these members and also discourage a new member from restoring or keeping a good old MoPar running but maybe we should chase him away to the Chevy and Ford guys. I was a teacher and the parting of knowledge is what all of us need to do to help each other. May be someone with another antique car will be stuck on the raod and this owner just might stop by the car that is stuck onthe raod be it any other make of car and gets the guy back onthe road. This is what the hobby is all about helping and not putting people down for their questions. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

the first question who have you tried to locate the drum from such as bernbaums roberts and or any other vendors or even ebay. so let us know what you have done upto this point. Do not just ask for leads but tell us what you have don eto find any drums. I am not trying to be mean to you but we need more input to help you. rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

Had similar experience over the winter time with the master cylinder on my 39 desoto. Found out that after 30 years since I rebuilt the MC the check valve had a very small hole in the rubber gasket and this was my issue. rebuilt the unit and now had great brakes again. The slightest thing can cause an issue in the MC. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com

For turn signal and brake light you need a double filment bulb possibly 1158 6v. I prefer the 7 wire system turn signal SignalStat system. can be purchased ata NAPA store or ordered in for you and also a 6v turn signal flasher. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com

If the engine on the 23 inch block is not moved back far enought then you would also have an issue with the driveshaft becasue the smaller engine if not positioned correctly would not sit back far enought to connect the driveshaft at the tailend of the trans and emergency brake band. What is the cost of the small engine and then think of the modifications cost. Get a price to rebuild the 25inch block and see how much difference in cost. it would be better to put the correct engine in the car. Spend the money wisely do it once and then you will have a great engine in a great car. Rich HArtung 1939 Desoto owner with a 25 inch block desoto1939@aol.com

according to one of my rate books the 1949-50Plymouth convertible wiper motor was part number 1257581 rich hartung

Ok thanks for th einput info: partnumber 1503408 first line no information found in my catalog line two part# 581498 46-54 1/2 ton trucks to 2 ton trucks federal Number D-1087 and this is the clutch release with bearing attached line Part # 581499 is the bearing only and the federal bearing number is 1087 line 4 no information D-1087 Federal Clutch Bearing assemblies Dodge trucks 1/2 to 1 1/2 ton 1939-40 All models 1941-47 1/2 to 2 ton 1948-54 Bearing measurement 1087 Bore 2.062, overall diameter 3.562, width .750, type thrust and sealed complete assemblies D-1087 description Iron Adapter sleeve number 1057 Hope this get you the correct Clutch throwout assembly Rich Hartung

I can not read the Mopar Number becasue of the way the manual is rolled if you provide the throwout bearing mopar number I might beable to help. rich