MarcDeSoto

OK, today I went to O'reillys and asked for the Felpro 3045 kit. It wasn't on the shelf, but the clerk found on in the back of the store. I also bought those hole punches. I would prime the pump by removing it and pouring some motor oil into it. Then, turn the pinion gear before installing it again.

I forgot to say that the reason I want an oil pump gasket is because I've been told that you have prime the pump with oil or it won't start pumping. And I'm assuming that if I remove the pump, I will need a new gasket.

yes, that's true. If I tell an O'Reilly's clerk do they have any parts for a 48 DeSoto, he will say no. But if I tell him, I have a 48 Chrysler Royal, all of a sudden, he has parts.

Who sells heavy gasket paper? I tried HF and O'Reilly's, but they don't carry it.

No, you're right. I changed it to say pedal. Brake drums springs are easy to get. Brake pedal return springs hard!

There's only one brake pedal return spring!

I'm think of buying some gasket material and making my own gaskets. And I see they make silicone instant gasket sealer that you just spread on without a paper gasket.

Does anyone just sell the oil pump gasket for a 48 DeSoto? Can't seem to find one without having to buy a new oil pump.

Thanks for the pic. Well I got it in. I've become an old master at removing and installing clutch linkage. I can see your brake pedal return spring there. Now I know where it goes. Thanks, Marc.

Yes, have a new ring gear and a rebuilt starter. It went in easily after all. The hard part is how do you screw in the bottom bolt? No way to reach it with a socket or a wrench because the clutch linkage or the starter housing is in the way. Have to remove all of the clutch linkage again to gain access to the bottom. I wish there was a manual that warned about these things!

Tried to install starter in bell housing today, but it wouldn't go in far enough! Do you have to get the pinion gear aligned first or something?

Come to think of it, you only have to remove the stick shift if you want to. It's not necessary if all you are doing is installing a new floor pad. You do have to disconnect the shift rod from the steering pole, which is easy to do.

Ok, I might try to take some pics because explaining it in words might sound vague. I scanned what I could of the Parts blow up for reference. Basically, the shift rod is just screwed into a nut at the bottom of the shaft. After removing the stick shift at the top, you remove the lever that goes to the side at the bottom. Then you remove the nut at the bottom of the shift rod. Then you can unscrew the lever at the bottom of the shift rod and remove the remaining parts. Then the shift rod is free. Then you can paint it and the steering pole, and slide the floor pad over the steering pole and push the bottom of the shift rod through the hole in the floor pad and put everything back together again. Pics 1 and 3 show the parts for a Custom DeSoto. My Deluxe DeSoto doesn't have the same type of steering pole casing, and mine looks more like the P-15 Plymouth in pic 2.

Excellent! The Solenoid goes above that housing. I knew you would get it. It's probably one of those parts that never needs replacing.

It took me some time to figure out how to get the shift rod off. No one seemed to know how. but finally figured it out. Now I can paint the shifter rod and steering column and reassemble it with the new (bought from Bernbaums in the 80s!) floor pad. Bit by bit, I'm making a hit, and it's starting to look like a car again. Marc.

I found this small part that I found in a coffee can. I bought it in 80s in San Diego at the Big Three Swap Meet in Mission Valley. I know it fits my 48 DeSoto or I wouldn't have bought it. Who can identify it?

I would look for another FD from a parts car that was complete and not leaking if you can find one. They should be around somewhere. You have got to have all the studs!

Oh a Jesus clip is a C-clip like this. I tried a regular straight cotter pin, but it wouldn't fit, So I guess i just need to buy a thinner one. Thanks. Marc.

Do you mean straight cotter pins or these? I don't know what a Jesus clip is, but I'll google it. thanks. Marc. https://www.ebay.com/itm/123684546267?fits=Year%3A1948|Make%3ADeSoto&hash=item1ccc2c66db:g:VMcAAOSwvpVcitby

I put the spring back and hooked up the clutch linkage now like Dodge said and everything looks good now. Now, to hook up the shift rods, but I need the clips. /Can I buy the clips at a NAPA store?

Yes, if you read my other post about the clutch spring, you will see that DodgeB4u just posted a picture of his overcenter spring show me how it's done. Hook the bottom part of the spring through the top of the hole, not the bottom of the hole!!!!!!!! Save your life!

Dodgeb4u, he always come through to the rescue! Of course, it doesn't go through the bottom of the hole, it goes in through the top!!! Don't know how stupid I can get! Thanks, Marc.

Something is really wrong with my hook on the overcenter spring. Is it on backwards? I don't know. It's on the way the Parts book shows. You can't turn it around because the spring would get in the way of the turnbuckle rod. It also seems like the frame bracket is slanting the wrong way. thanks for the pics Bryan! Marc.

Got everything put back, but the overcenter spring keeps exploding off of the frame bracket. The hood of the spring doesn't even go in the bracket all the way. Even after I put the hook in a vise and closed it more, it is still just hanging by a thread. Is that normal with these??? Should I put the overcenter spring hook on the bracket on a vise and bend it all the way so it can't pop off? Marc.

I found clips for 1960s MoPars on Ebay. Would they fit my 48 DeSoto? Maybe I should go to NAPA and ask if they have something to fit?