John Goldsmith

Thank you Ranger. The motor is out of the car and I've had a good look in there with a torch (flashlight?) and it appears completely empty, so I think I'm OK. In fact the whole cavity looks pretty good with no crud or bits of broken tube. Vegemite? An Australian dark brown coloured spread for toast or sandwiches, similar to English Marmite but with its own distinctive flavour. Australians are born and bred on it and generally love it. However, Americans have been known to vomit on their first tasting of it! Definitely an acquired taste.

Yes, JerseyHarold is correct. The '51 - '52 Aussie body differs in its roofline and window contours. Also, the front A pillars are not as slim as the USA ones. Those rear gravel shields are standard on the Aussie model through to 1952, you can see them in both the Cranbrook and Diplomat photos. The Diplomat of course is the Plymouth based car, identical to the Plymouth except for the grill and a few badges, smaller than the USA DeSotos. In Australia the motors are also identical, despite what some people try to tell you (apart from an S added to the engine number). The Aussie workshop manual has the exact same information for Plymouth, Dodge Kingsway and Desoto Diplomat. The Canadian 25 inch motor is used. The front turn signal lights (we call them indicators) are after-market add ons. The law demands we have them, and they are supposed to be amber, however some people incorporate the rear ones into their tail lights, resulting in a red colour. I don't know what type the antenna is, but it's quite old. Gosh you must have good eye sight to have examined the steering wheel!

Thanks for the comments, I enjoy my cars. Yes, big time of the year in Hobart with the yachts coming in. While I'm waiting for the new water tube to arrive, the '40 engine will be treated to a valve job, new clutch, machining of flywheel, all new expansion plugs (especially that pesky one behind the flywheel which caused the current engine removal), and repaint back to original silver. Other areas of the motor have been performing fantastically so will be left alone for now. I'm a great fan of the old Chrysler flatheads, great old machines!

My '51 All three vehicles have their original flathead motors. The Diplomat motor was overhauled in 2014/2015, complete with new water tube. The Cranbrook motor hasn't been dismantled for a long time - I assume the tube is intact!

My "40

Thanks all for the replies. I had an idea valve seat cooling may be part of it, while the motor is out they'll be getting a refresh and with a new tube installed hopefully I'll get another15 years. Desotodav, I have a new tube on order now from Bernbaums. Last year I did a complete overhaul on my '52 Desoto Diplomat motor - used a Bernbaums tube in that and all seems fine. Only difference is that car has the 25 inch engine, the '40 has the 23 inch.

I have been driving my 1940 Plymouth sedan since 2000, with minimal engine work due to a restoration being performed before I purchased it. Since then it has been trouble free, including the cooling system. No working temperature gauge due to a broken capillary tube, but I have learned that Bernbaums can fix these, so it will be done soon. Now here's the thing - I have recently removed the water pump for general clean-up purposes and guess what I discovered - the water distribution tube is completely missing! I guess the previous restorer must have "forgot" to replace it! Everything looks in good condition in there, I guess because for years I've used de-mineralised water mixed with corrosion inhibiter. My question is, HOW could I have driven this vehicle for so long without any sign of overheating or other cooling issues? I now have a new tube on order.