my48soto Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hello to all my classic MOPAR:cool: lovers. I have a 1948 Desoto Custom Im in the process of doing the demo on to get her down to the bare frame. If any of you gus have any tips and pointersw for me let me know. This is a new journey for me into the classic Mopar world and I have fallin head over heals for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Welcome to a great forum. You will be able to get lots of advice here and answers to your questions. The old Mopars are wonderful cars and under appreciated by most people. Here is my first piece of advice for you. Take lots of pictures as you disassemble everything and label every piece you remove. It's funny how after even a short time you will look at a piece and say what the hell is that or how does that go back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingster Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hi. Yeah, welcome to the forum. I've got a '47 Desoto Custom that I am restoring, although not to bare frame. I'm not that ambitous. But I am doing a pretty good job of getting it down to bare metal and priming and painting everything. Lots of degreasing. The front end is as clean as a whistle now. I'm working front to back. Replacing all brake parts, lines, etc. The guys are right about taking photos. I didn't of some things and you do forget. But I've found that these cars are very logically designed and laid out. With a little thought it's not hard to see how things go back together, although I don't do engine work. This model Desoto is a pretty nice car. I've never driven it but am anxiously awaiting the time when I can. The car is black and I'm leaving it black, repainting it of course. If you get hard up for parts let me know cause I have scoured the internet for parts for this car. And this forum is about the best that I have found with regard to knowledge and just a day-to-day activity on here. It's a very active forum with a bunch of very nice people. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Neon Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 There was a '46 DeSoto Suburban I remember at an auction. Sweet looking car. It went for a good price, too. Had I not been a poor college student at the time, I think I would have taken it home with me. I love my Plymouth, but the DeSotos, IMHO, just seem to be a cut above in style. It must be the extra chrome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hi "48". Welcome. That was good advice about pictures, bagging and tagging of parts and pieces. Feel free to jump in when you have a question. You might consider using the user control panel to put in your make and model of car, plus at least a general area where you're located. Can go in the upper right, or the signature line at lower left.So we can know in the future. Hard to keep up with everybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my48soto Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Does anyone know how to upload pics to the threads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Does anyone know how to upload pics to the threads Click on the FAQ tab above for instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 You have class with a Desoto. i own a 39 Desoto and have attached a picture. I have some of the old Miller tools that you might need to use when retoring your car. The lockheed brakes witht he eccentrics can be a realy pain but I have the tools to adjust them and can get you throught this job very eaisly. Where do you live and do you have any pictures of the 48? Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my48soto Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hey I thank everyone for showing support here. I most definately will keep you guys updated on all of my progress on this project. If anyone in VA know about places that soda blast please let me know. Since I am new to the Hampton Roads area Im still working my way around and need to get this beauty blasted. Here are a few pics to give everyone a chance to see what Im working with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Nice looking car. It has most of its trim and that is a huge plus as it is always the hardest stuff to find. Your grill looks really decent and looks like it might not need rechroming which is a big expense. Good luck with the project and we will look forward to more pictures and updates. If you have a question ask it on this forum. If it can't be answered here, it can't be answered. Seriously! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my48soto Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 How's everyone doing this friday? As promised here are some pics of my desoto break down; I hated to demo the old girl, but someone had to do it. So here is day one for you guys, let me know what you guys think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Demo is just fine. Just remember failure is not an option and you'll get her back in one piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 What is your goal for this car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Elder Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hey Don, how's Boston? This is the first time I've seen the front fenders undressed, the inner workings look like fun to derust. Looks like time to sand blast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodney Bullock Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 How's everyone doing this friday? As promised here are some pics of my desoto break down; I hated to demo the old girl, but someone had to do it. So here is day one for you guys, let me know what you guys think. You might want to send Joe Flannagan a IM as he just finished blasting his car. I know of a place in Annapolis however it's a little ays from you. It's not that hard as yo have begun to dismantle the car nicely. The Desoto is a great car you looks like a winner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my48soto Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 I'm taking the 48 down to the frame and do a full body off resto. I want to keep everything original but, I want to update the suspension. Other then that it will be all stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my48soto Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Well here is Day 2 of my tear down. I have officially got to say this vehicle is very, very user friendly when it comes to the tear down process. I dont have any manuals to go off of so Im basically guessing my around and the car is guiding me through. I thank you guys for all the encouragement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my48soto Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 What is your goal for this car? I'm taking the 48 down to the frame to do a full body off resto. I want to keep everything original but, I want to update the suspension. Im trying to avoid doing a front clip swap by any means possible. So Im looking at a air bag set up I'm going to have to frabicate from scratch. Other then that it will be all stock from head to toe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hey Don, how's Boston? . Boston is the SanFrancisco of the east. All about money. Lots of kas here but very few oldies. I'm taking the 48 down to the frame to do a full body off resto. I want to keep everything original but, I want to update the suspension. Im trying to avoid doing a front clip swap by any means possible. So Im looking at a air bag set up I'm going to have to frabicate from scratch. Other then that it will be all stock from head to toe. Let me understand this a bit. You want to do a body off restoration. A restoration brings whatever is being restored back to ORIGINAL. Next sentence you want to upgrade the suspension but avoid doing a front clip. Is an upgraded suspension acceptable for a restored to original vehicle and a front clip not acceptable? Next sentence you are looking at an air bag system. Now that is pretty much not original, nor restored. What is it? But wait there is more. Other that the modifications you have listed the car will be stock from head to toe. A good forum member has told the story several times about the hammer he has that once belonged to his grandfather. It is all original except the handle has been replaced 3 times and the head twice. Have you ever done any work on an old car? I really hope your car goes to completion what ever that is for you. As it looks now I see a car in an unfinished workshop/basement that has been disassembled and may end-up in a crusher. Failure is not an option. Set goals that you can achieve and you will get lots of support from this forum. Tell everyone you are going to restore a car with air bags and you will get no support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingster Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 I personally don't care if he wants to put a gun turret on the top of his Desoto and call it original. It'd be nutty, but I've never gotten the feeling from this forum that our cars had to follow any rules for restoration. I have fallen into that trap in years past of getting so gung ho on a project that I'd tear it all apart and then time overtook my ambition. I had a '48 Greyhound type bus that I was going to convert into a motor home. Never made it. Don's suggestion is a good one of taking bite size pieces that you can have the satisfaction of seeing to completion. Restoring and reassembling a car that took many people on an assembly line to build is a huge undertaking. That said, there are those with the ambition and perseverance to do it. Everybody has their own way of working and getting their kicks out of it. I'm sure we all will help you out any way we can along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Don is on the money...it is not a resto if you deviate from factory in any manner...one change it is now custom..no other way about it...I am the owner of the hammer... no set path...let me definitely say that..only call it by the right name is the arguement...and be realistic..these things take time to do..especially if you have family and a daily job that pays the bills... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingster Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Well, since these Desotos were called "Custom" from the factory, I guess if he customizes his then it can be called custom and the word "Custom" is original for that car. Well maybe not quite, but I have had people in my past offer rather acerbic advice for various projects that I had going at the time, and it didn't feel good and I don't want this New Guy to get off on the wrong foot here. I understand the terminology, and actually we all could nit pick the word restoration for it does have mulpitple dictionary definitions. The first in my dictionary is "To bring back into existence or use." That would suit New Guy's situation perfectly. The second is "To bring back to a previous or original condition." That is the traditional automotive use of the owrd and we all know what that means. As the word restoration is used pretty loosely by many folks, it wouldn't seem unusual for New Guy to come in here full of exitement and use the word in a more general sense as oppossed to the purist definition. New Guy is going to get an education on this site and that is part of the fun and experience of "restoring" a classic car. I am continually learning from you guys. I'm not totally restoring my Desoto but I am keeping it original as possible. And what I most expect to enjoy from it is that old car "heavy" ride. Changing the suspension would not work for me. But that's me. I guess my main point is let's not rain on this guy's parade out of the gate. I know Don's right about the terminology but let's not send this guy's car to the crusher so soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Bingster, thanks for putting what I was thinking into words. Everybody starts somewhere and my48soto (new guy) will learn by trial and error and asking lots of questions on this forum. I would never have believed I could do a full body off restoration when I first started working with old cars but through a lot of tough lessons and asking a lot of questions of car club members, I was able to do one. Go for it my48soto but as Don said, "failure is not an option!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Torres Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Im looking at a air bag set up I'm going to have to fabricate from scratch. . not that hard i ordered the front cups for a chevy caprice and moved the bolt over and re welded it and bolted it to the frame and connected the bags you can make it yourself really easy i found this site to sell stuff for a good price http://www.suicidedoors.com/ my photo album might help you with what your doing as i have strip a couple of plymouth so far http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v134/alphastrikefx/ before you take the body off the frame (if your going to) how are the rocker panels if they are not solid you will want to rebuild them or brace the heck out of the car first so you dont twist the body i temp installed bags in my chassis here you can see them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Torres Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 Boston is the SanFrancisco of the east. All about money. Lots of kas here but very few oldies.Let me understand this a bit. You want to do a body off restoration. A restoration brings whatever is being restored back to ORIGINAL. Next sentence you want to upgrade the suspension but avoid doing a front clip. Is an upgraded suspension acceptable for a restored to original vehicle and a front clip not acceptable? Next sentence you are looking at an air bag system. Now that is pretty much not original, nor restored. What is it? But wait there is more. Other that the modifications you have listed the car will be stock from head to toe. . Tell everyone you are going to restore a car with air bags and you will get no support. i understand what he wants he wants the beauty of his car with the function or features of a newer car he wants to add its what allot of people want i don't think anyone should judge him as all his ideas are hitting him at once it happend to me and to the new guy (dont know your name sorry) if you want to restore a car with air bags you will get my support:cool: oh i forgot welcome to the best forum on the net there are so many guys that can help you with probably every spot on your car here the knowledge on this site is priceless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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