Desotodav

Good job Hank! Hey... those look like the same sunglasses that Mark Cavendish wears!

I run a 6V Optima battery in my 52 truck. I have often thought that I should install a battery disconnect but was also unsure whether an appropriate one is made. I was disconnecting the battery a while back and the battery lead made contact with the wing-nut holding the battery hold-down frame in place. The electrical short that resulted caused great concern (and a nice burn mark on my fingers). I just leave my battery connected these days and try to drive the truck more often!

That's funny Jeff I think that Hank has been too busy working on his own to-do list to be playing his usual pranks here!

Have you tried a search on 'horn button' (top right in the brown section of your screen) Bob? We discussed them at length not long ago. You may find plenty of photos which will help you out by checking those old posts. Check your 'Personal Messenger' box too Bob as I sent you a PM.

I think that you're selling yourself a bit short there Paul. I really enjoy your posts and would hate to see any one of them removed. We can't all be experts in the realms of vehicle restoration, the good lord only knows how much I struggle! Your determination and perseverance in my mind provides motivation for many a person here to undertake their own challenges. I do enjoy your photos (blurry as they may be sometimes) as well. A big pat on the back for you and keep up the good work I say!

I wondered that too Merle but he appears to be doing the 'no hands method', or maybe it's more innocent and he's just checking out that fine looking filly next door? Is that what they refer to as a 'photobomb'?

Good looking truck there PP - a real credit to your ability !!!

Would the 49 model wire diagram help you Jim? I checked one of my manuals and see that it appears very similar to the 48 model wire diagram but also has the radio, clock and blower included.

That is good news DD. Hopefully you'll be back on the road soon.

That paddock is 10 acres, and land out that way is selling for close to $1 million for a 5 acre lot. I still have 4 of my 'keeper' trucks intact. My shed is fairly cluttered at present, but I don't think that you'd see that many trucks in the parts that I have. I'm working with the idea that I won't have to go hunting for too many parts on my next build/s. I don't part with too many of my parts at present, but I have been known to help a friend or 2 out. We have 20 of the top 25 most venomous snakes in the world here in OZ, but only a few species in that list out in our paddock. I don't mind the lizards or the goannas as they usually scurry away, but I don't like snakes!

A very interesting story Brian. I haven't located a gas tank/cab seal in any of the 8 trucks that I have owned. I was looking into them a while back when the topic came up but ended up not installing one. I managed to get the seal measurements from a member here (but I can't remember who) and even made a template up. I ended up installing rubber internal mat and cutting it as close as I could to the filler tube behind the seat and left it at that. I have come across a couple of trucks with a flat rubber piece screwed down to the floor closely fitting around the fuel filler pipe behind the seat. Could it be that the crusty surface of your original seal is a reaction from age, heat and also petrol fumes?

Try these old post links for information/pictures... http://p15-d24.com/topic/18957-48-dodge-grille-guard/?hl=%2Bgrille+%2Bguard http://p15-d24.com/topic/23350-brush-gaurd/?hl=%2Bgrille+%2Bguard#entry229021

We talked a bit about that gas tank seal a while back Brian (shown as 14-86-60 in the attached). I wouldn't mind seeing an original one either - might be hard to photograph though!

I think that most of us have been in that situation Jeff. I had issues with my fuel gauge a while back, but it turned out that there was no float left in my cork float so was an easy fix in the end. I've been well and truly tested over the past few days whilst wrecking another one of my old rusty trucks in the paddock. Wifey told me that I'm only allowed 5 of them and I may have a 6th one arriving next week - I'm not sure whether she was joking or not but best to play it safe! It struck me today whilst working away, I wonder how much blood one can actually loose from cuts or gashes before one becomes dizzy! I'll pull the motor tomorrow and then start working on saving all that I can from the rest of the truck. Seems that a local lizard has moved in and made itself at home in the engine head (see photo). One has to keep on ones toes in our paddock when it comes to critters moving as there are plenty of snakes, lizards, goannas and other nasties over there.

Thanks for posting Eric. I'd love to see many photos of the truck! If possible could you also include the photo showing the original paint on the front Dodge badge - I really should paint my Desoto badge on the front of my truck and it would help to see the original colors.

You jinxed yourself saying that you were nearly done a week or so ago Jeff I hope that your radio repair shop fellas are successful, or maybe you should talk to Kevin?

Most of the engines that I have come across here have been the long blocks Don, but I did have a short block car engine recently which I sold to a friend. I stumbled across that same manifold on Ebay last night Ricky and wondered if it would fit 3 x Carter B&B's.

I'm still running the original 6V single wiper in the blue truck - it's 2 speed (on or off)! The 53 coupe truck that I plan on starting to restore soon runs the single wiper as well. It appears that we didn't go to dual wipers on the trucks here in Oz until around 54 (with the arrival of the one-piece windscreen).

I can't help you with photos of wipers Ryan, unless I get under the dash of my 57 van and see if I can get some pics? Most of my other trucks are single electric wiper only. I'm in the process of wrecking another one at present (see 3rd photo). I've attached the wiper diagrams from the manual for you in case they help.

I checked my 1950 car parts manual Glenn and it lists differences between USA and Canadian built cars. I'm more of a truck person, but I'm happy to scan and send you pages from the numerous manuals that I have gathered over the years if it helps you out. PM with your email details if you need bigger scan copies.

The compression test results look good Hank. Maybe it's not as bad an issue as once thought. Real men eat Vegemite! You do realize that we're all waiting with baited breath for the solution to your engine woes?

I checked one of my car manuals Glenn and they only show one chassis for 48-53 vehicles. Is it possible that we did things different here in Oz? I've attached the scans for you...

Good idea running that fuel filter away from the manifold Jeff - should prevent vaporizing that way! Good looking interior too.

I think that you're doing great Paul. I'm a bit surprised that your old blue truck is heading to the Daughter though.

Looks like you hit the mother load there Mark! Well done.