MarcDeSoto

I wonder if the problem could be that the specialist who rebuilt the solenoid was not told that it was positive ground? Is that even a possiblity? Anyway, I called the shop and am bringing it in tomorrow for them to check out the problem.

Got my starter installed today, but now it won't crank! yesterday, I gave the starter housing a quick paint spray. I also painted the part of the housing that goes into the bell housing. Is that how the starter is grounded? Or is it grounded with the two bolts that hold the starter in?

I asked for the specialist's contact information, and they said I am going through them, not the specialist. So I guess it's proprietary. I used the Richer Auto Electric shop in Oceanside, CA. The price for them check out my starter, and the solenoid work came to $280. Here is my rebuilt solenoid. Looks good. I'm anxious to get my motor started again!

I knew the previous owner was cheap. He probably bought the tires used too!

Good idea. I was thinking about my jack, but I was afraid it would roll off.

Sniper, I think you nailed it. He's got a bad catalytic converter!

Power Cushion is the same idea as when I was working, I took a Power Nap!

I just checked my 48 DeSoto. I bought it in May, 1980 and have never changed the tires. I think the previous owner was cheap on tires because only two of them match. The LF and LR are Sears DynaPly 20. They both have a 1" whitewalls with the number 2-84145. The RF tire is a Goodyear G-78 15 with the numbers MDVV J9A075. It also says Power Cushion 78 and VytaCord tubeless. It has a thick white wall. It also has "BLEM" stamped crooked on the black sidewall. I wonder what that means? The RR tire is a JC Penney G-78 15, 4997 Mileage Maker with a wide white wall. Any idea on the date of these tires other than they are pre 1980? These tires haven't been driven on much in the last 43 years so the tread is good and I've only had to fill more air in them a few times. They have never gone flat despite sitting for many decades. All the whitewalls are facing in probably because the white walls don't match. Of course, I do plan to buy new tires after I get the car on the road.

After many weeks, I got my starter back. The electric shop had to send the solenoid to a specialist in Maine since they didn't have the parts. I made the mistake of trying to install it alone without my helper. I could put the starter in place and push it into the bell housing, but it was hard holding the starter with one hand and trying to start the top bolt with the other. But try as hard as I could, I just couldn't find the sweet spot to screw the bolt in. Then my left hand slipped and the starter was hanging by the tips of my fingers. I tried to lower it to the floor, but it fell the last few inches. But I don't think any harm was done. After that, I put a heavy cushion beneath the starter. Now, I'm going to wait until my helper comes over before trying that again!

I forgot about that. Those STrombergs for the Chrysler straight eights are works of art!

I think it's your Dodge that has a Stromberg. I think Dodge was the only MoPar that used Strombergs as well as Carter B&B's.

A seller on the DeSoto club site says his E7L4 Carter B&B carb. fits all 6 cylinder cars with a semi auto trans, from 1948 -1954. Would for example an E7L4 carburetor fit on my 48 DeSoto and vice versa? I think an E7L4 carb. is for a 1950 Chrysler six.

According to my 48 Plymouth Parts List, your car should have a 10" or 11" clutch disc. 9 1/4" clutch discs are for Fluid Drive clutches. Is your clutch a Borg and Beck or an Auburn clutch?

I looked at a 49 DeSoto wiring diagram, and it shows the radio in the schematic, and the ignition switch does have a wire going to the radio. So RAD does mean radio and GA does mean fuel gauge. If you are wiring the car just the way it is when the engine is in the car, it's a bit tricky as the starter wire goes to the from the ign. switch to the horn relay, and the horn relay has a wire going to the starter.

It sure sounds like you are barking up the wrong tree here. If you want to have everything wired and working like the engine was in the chassis, why not put it in the chassis? You can't check your trans. controls with the engine outside of the chassis, can you?

I don't know what RAD and GA means either, but if you are just trying to start the engine, why not just hot wire it? All i did was connect the battery cables. Connect a remote starter, or your push button from the Neg. battery post to the upper right terminal on the solenoid. Connect the points terminal outside the dist. to the POS side of the coil with a jumper wire. Then connect the NEG battery post to the NEG post on the coil with a jumper wire. Now your ignition is hot. Then crank it and it should start if everything else is ready, timing, carburetor, etc.

That's news to me. The D24 Dodge Parts book lists no such pad there, but there are some washers and shim listed for the two nuts that fasten onto the two studs.

Does your car have Wayfarer script on the sides of the car like American smaller Dodges do?

Yes it is. There is a red wire going from the SOL on the trans. relay to anti-stall switch on the carb, and also a wire going from SOL to the solenoid on the trans. But I don't think a 42 has a solenoid. You should check your shop manual. I looked at the diagram above and you do have a solenoid but it may be somewhere other than the trans. On my 48, there is also a yellow wire going from the TH terminal of the relay to the Kick down switch on the carb. AND also a wire going from the TH to the Governor on the trans.

Go to AACA website. They have a free For Sale and Wanted ads. Put in a wanted ad. I've found lots of parts that way. but beware of scammers. There are dishonest people who will say they have everything you want for a low price. Send me the money and I'll send it. verify that they have it first and buy it with a credit card so you can do a charge back if they don't send it. Ask for pics too and tell them to put a banana next to the part to make sure they don't rip a pic off of the Internet.

I find it odd that the Canadian Dodges had a bigger engine that the American Dodges. Is it based on the Plymouth body?

You have a great 1949 Wayfarer two door sedan fastback. Great car and I love the red paint!

The only way I know of to get that curved rear window is to get it from a parts car or junkyard. Start calling.

Chrysler didn't make a V-8 in 1950. They made the V-8 in 51. DeSoto in 52. Dodge in 53. Plymouth in 56.

Well, you could unhook the clutch fork rod return spring and measure the play at the fork rod. It should be 5/32" which will create 1" free play at the pedal. At least that's how you do on my 48 DeSoto. If your model is different, consult your shop manual. This filmstrip might give you some idea how to do it, even if yours is a later year. https://mymopar.com/mtsc-1948-volume-2-4-a-good-man-in-the-clutch/