1950 Desoto Custom

[falconvan]

Got the mounts finished and the weight of the drivetrain sitting on it. Also made a bracket for the clutch z-bar and the alignment looks good. Next I’ll test fit the shift linkage and if everything  lines up and works as it should I’ll pull the drivetrain back out; throw a coat of paint on it, and make everything permanent.

[falconvan]

Shift rods and clutch rod done and works good; had to shorten everything 3”. Now to pull it back apart; throw on some paint, and make it permanent.

[falconvan]

I decided to go ahead and pull the head and change the head gasket. It had a couple of head bolts loose where the guy I bought it from put the chain to pull it. Plus he told me it had a valve job and new seats and he seemed like an honest dude but I hadn’t heard it run for myself.

Looks like I got a good deal, very clean inside and has a set of .040 pistons. 

[falconvan]

Ugh; 3 hours of absolute misery getting the water distribution tube out. The last 6 inches broke off in the back and I didn’t think it would ever come out. 
Finally  got it out and got some paint on the motor; enough for today.

[RobertKB]

9 hours ago, falconvan said:

Ugh; 3 hours of absolute misery getting the water distribution tube out. The last 6 inches broke off in the back and I didn’t think it would ever come out. 
Finally  got it out and got some paint on the motor; enough for today.

 

Motor and head look good. That is an ugly looking tube. Canadian engine plant did it differently. I have pulled many water distribution tubes and every one was brass and reusable. I’ve never understood the use of the steel tubes. Hopefully you had no trouble getting a new one. Hopefully brass. 

[falconvan]

Thanks! Yeah I got a new one but unfortunately what I came up with is steel. The first one lasted 70 years so this one will probably long outlast the motor.

[Young Ed]

3 minutes ago, falconvan said:

Thanks! Yeah I got a new one but unfortunately what I came up with is steel. The first one lasted 70 years so this one will probably long outlast the motor.

Yup and you'll be using coolant with better rust preventers than that one saw

[Dartgame]

Wow was the tube trashed. Good thing you got it out. I guess I got lucky with mine - after 68 years it was perfect and came out in one piece quite easily, and yes it was steel.

[falconvan]

Got a lot done today. Head is back on, finished up my trans mounts, boxed the cross member where I notched it, and a few other small things. Drivetrain goes back in tomorrow.

[falconvan]

Drivetrain is back in and I’m getting it put back together. I’m grateful for all the extra garage time lately; just wish the circumstances were different. 

[falconvan]

I decided to do some work on the inside today. The only gauge that worked was the gas gauge but it was faded really bad. The speedo was stuck and it had some under dash autozone gauges for the temp and oil pressure. I got the oil pressure gauge to clean up and it works, I found an NOS fuel and temp gauge on eBay, and also a working speedo. Not using the amp gauge, I’ll add an inconspicuous volt gauge.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Have you seen those gauges lit up in the complete dark?

I think they glow kinda a purple color...pretty cool.

[falconvan]

Not yet; I put LED bulbs in for the dash lights so I think it’ll look good 

[falconvan]

Got a lot of little things put back together the last few days. I’ve got an exhaust manifold coming in the mail next week; one I get it I should be able to fire the engine up and see what she sounds like. 

[falconvan]

Success! Got the motor fired up today and it sounds great other than the carb being pretty iffy. I might try one of those EBay YF knockoff carbs; this one needs rebuilt and the choke needs replaced. But it sounded smooth and had 40psi oil pressure so I’m happy. 
When I got this the previous guy said the whole car was rewired. Technically it was; it had a new universal street rod harness but it was really a mess with a bunch of wire nuts and THHN house wiring added to it. I decided to redo it; solder and heat shrink the connections and just tidy it up. 

[DonnieT]

Hey I got a spare carb too if ya need it. It needs overhauled too though. Project is looking GREAT!

DonnieT

[falconvan]

Thanks! I think I’m going to use a YF; I’ve used a few of them on other projects and they work pretty well for a minimal cost.

[falconvan]

Finished up the wiring today; much neater looking. Starting on building a mount for the seat tomorrow.

[falconvan]

The seat came from a late model Dodge extended van. The shape and length were right on but it had to be lowered 4” and needed sliders so you can adjust it. So I got some universal sliders from Amazon and built a mount with some angle iron and rectangle tubing . I think it came out really good.

[junkers72]

Looks comfortable 

[RNR1957NYer]

Nice job of fabrication!

[falconvan]

Thanks!

[pipebomb]

On 2/24/2020 at 2:48 PM, falconvan said:

If I can find someone that has successfully converted one to 12 volt I'll probably keep it. So far all I'm reading is a lot of stories of people who tried it and it couldn't get it to work right.

i converted my 50 desoto to 12v 5 years ago, no problems, didnt do anyting to the trans. fyi

[falconvan]

Interesting; may have just been the trans itself. I’m happy with the direction I went.

 

You want a spare Fluid coupling and trans for your Desoto? Free to a good home, just come pick it up.

[falconvan]

Got my carb switched out today and it really runs great. Swap was super easy; very little modifications.