Introduction from a new guy

[Panheadguy]

Hello to all,

I'm a guy getting by working on other peoples old cars in my garage.

I've been involved with cars and motorcycles all my life. As a family my childern raced off-road cars all over the US and Mexico in the CORR series.

I'm not a driver but more always the crew chief/ mechanic. I'v done the Baja, LaCarrera, ralleys, drag racing, stock car racing,. and now vintage racing. I'm pretty vintage myself.

I have never been much of a Mopar guy until now. A friend of mine has me working on his '46 De Soto 7 pass limo I think it is a S11 but everything seems to be different than the std. S11, at least chassis stuff, sheetmetal, glass etc.

Last winter I got it running and took it for a drive. After fooling with some of the wiring I got the fluid drive trans to work.

The steering and getting the doors to stay shut are the next priority.

If any of the board members have some familiarity with this model please reply. I have some questions.

Thanks.

[Roadkingcoupe]

The 7 passenger Desoto sedan was a larger car and although it sat on the same wheelbase 121 1/2" the car measures 222 3/4" long vs. the sedan at 207 1/4".

Many of the parts differ to handle the greater weight and passenger loads.

Brakes, front end parts and other assorted items differ from the two models.

There are two trim level for the 1946 - 1948 S11 Desoto model lines.

S - 11 Deluxe

S - 11 Custom

If you need more info please feel free to ask as I do have the parts books, manuals and brochures around here somewhere?

Edited October 19, 2012 by Roadkingcoupe
accuracy

[BobT-47P15]

I think that type car is what James Douglas, who appears here on the

forum occasionally, has. He's in California.

This is a picture of his car, borrowed from his profile.....

Edited October 19, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[Panheadguy]

That looks like it minus the roof rack. What a beast. I can just close the overhead door.....

[Panheadguy]

Thanks Roadking,

Sounds like you might ride HD.

Anyway, what else would have the same steering box parts? I'm thinking the worm might be pretty much toast.

[BobT-47P15]

You might check with this company in Springfield, MO who (as far as I

know) rebuilds both standard and power steering boxes.

Here's the first two paragraphs from their website:

Power Steering Services, Inc. (PSSI) specializes in re-building both power and manual gearboxes, power steering pumps for cars, trucks and some specialty vehicles. Services include fast-ratio power gearbox conversions as well as manual steering rebuilds and intermediate shafts from the firewall to the gearbox.

Dedicated to providing new and rebuilt steering products and services to customers throughout the U.S. & Canada. Your steering needs will be handled personally, professionally, and at a competitive price.

http://www.powersteering.com/

[deathbound]

Sorry, can't help with the car....just wanted to say "hey" from another panhead guy. Good luck.

[Don Coatney]

Hello to all,

I'm a guy getting by working on other peoples old cars in my garage.

I've been involved with cars and motorcycles all my life. As a family my childern raced off-road cars all over the US and Mexico in the CORR series.

I'm not a driver but more always the crew chief/ mechanic. I'v done the Baja, LaCarrera, ralleys, drag racing, stock car racing,. and now vintage racing. I'm pretty vintage myself.

I have never been much of a Mopar guy until now. A friend of mine has me working on his '46 De Soto 7 pass limo I think it is a S11 but everything seems to be different than the std. S11, at least chassis stuff, sheetmetal, glass etc.

Last winter I got it running and took it for a drive. After fooling with some of the wiring I got the fluid drive trans to work.

The steering and getting the doors to stay shut are the next priority.

If any of the board members have some familiarity with this model please reply. I have some questions.

Thanks.

Pictures and location?

[Roadkingcoupe]

Thanks Roadking,

Sounds like you might ride HD.

Anyway, what else would have the same steering box parts? I'm thinking the worm might be pretty much toast.

The worm gear on the steering tube shaft is shared on many models and vehicles.

The gear itself is pressed on and "might" be able to be (professionally) swapped.

As mentioned previously the difference in many of the shafts is the length. Older cars and trucks have the shorter shafts and as the cars became longer, so did the steering shaft.

Not sure which would be better....swapping the gear or splicing the shaft?

One thing for sure...most used gears are worn out and not worth the time and trouble.

[Panheadguy]

Thanks. My most recent was a '48

[Panheadguy]

Thanks for all the input. The older worm and peg style steering boxes don't stand up well over time. Too much force and not enough contact area to wear well. Anyone ever swap to a later box? I'm sure I could cut the original column and splice in a bearuing and borgesen type joint. The other issueis finding striker parts to keep the doors closed