National DeSoto Club Forum - Recent Topics

1950 S-14 Will Not Start

John Lunz — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:57:09 +0000

July 2025 I blew the head gasket on my 1950 S-14. I drove it for approximately 1 mile before I could stop and figure out what happened. Did notice that temperature gauge spiked. Once engine cooled. Opened radiator and found no water. I checked oil dip stick. White foamy oil. I figured I had blew the head gasket. Towed it home and started it up to back it in the garage. Pulled head and found the gasket broke between #6 and #5 cylinder. Replace gasket and torques down head. It would not restart. Buy the way I broke temperature gage line when removing it. Got that fixed. Company in CA put new bulb on and refiled with either. Let me know if anyone needs their contact. Checked compression. had between 50 to 80 PSI in each cylinder. Have sprayed Sea Foam and Marvel Mystery Oil through plug holes, multiple times. Let soak for several days. Got compression up to 90,90,70,80,80 and 60. Still will not start but is firing occasionally but not starting. More problems now. When removing the fuel line from carbonator. to check fuel pump. The threads in the carburetor for the brass fitting, that the float needle vale seal in, stripped out. Do you think I could drill out and put a thread insert in the carburetor with gas resistant sealant? The car has 102k miles. I also noticed when trying to start there was some fuel that leaked out around the shaft for the throttle butterfly on bottom of carburetor. Didn't notice this when the engine was running, just trying to start. But i figured this may have because the fitting was not tight into carburetor, due to bad threads, and the needle didn't seal tight allowing excess fuel into carburetor. The reason I asked is someone told me that where the throttle butterfly rod turns can wear allowing to suck air in. They said I may need to get the new bushing put in around that shaft. Has anyone else heard of that? While looking at fixing carburetor. I may pull the head and put more cleaners directly in each cylinder. I don't know how much I got in each cylinder spraying it in through the plug holes as they are over the valves not the piston. If I go this far, should I consider changing the rings? Can I drop oil pan and take connecting rod off crank shaft and push piston up, out through the top, high enough to change rings? Then I would also change connecting rod bearings and while there change crankshaft bearings.

I would appreciate any and all advice and thoughts. Anyone have a carburetor for this engine? I have the Fulid Drive.

1941 Custom Sedan For Sale

DavidFrank — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:18:05 +0000

**Not mine**

This was forwarded to me by @regisbodnar who was having trouble posting the photos.

1941 DeSoto Custom 4 door sedan. This was a car purchased by a member who passed away before he could restore it. The car is located in Dunkirk, MD and the deceased member's wife is wishing to sell it. There are many extra parts that were bought and included with the vehicle although the lady doesn't know what the parts are. She is asking $2500. Contact Brenda Chesler, email Brenda.chesler@yahoo.com.

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1952 Firedome wagon project for sale/trade

Tony Urwin — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:02:44 +0000

I have a 1952 wagon in storage that I will not be able to finish in this lifetime. I started a frame-off rebuild several decades ago, but ran into health and financial problems. I have recovered financially, but will never be healthy enough to complete the project. I would consider selling or swapping the car + cash for a completed (or nearly completed) 1942-1955 classic or modified Mopar.

The car has no engine, transmission, or steering column, although it has a very nice steering wheel. The gauges were restored by Williamson Instruments, some chrome has been replated, many extra parts including an entire second dashboard, etc.

Please contact me at tonyurwin95@gmail.com if you have any interest.

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1940 Desoto Clock

Glenn Powell — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:06:48 +0000

My 1940

1890

coupe has a clock that sadly has stopped working and I have been on the hunt for a replacement or get it rebuilt. My glass has a crack as well. I have only every seen one other picture of a glove box clock. Seems to me it may be quite rare. I have found one listed for sale and it is almost the same as mine but it has the hand/time adjustment knob in the front and mine is in the rear. Anybody have a glass front ?? Where to send or buy parts? My apologies if this is not the correct spot to ask this question.

Regards

Glenn

1941 Desoto Custom brakes

Mark Ponton — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:15:47 +0000

I have a 1941 Desoto Custom my brother in law and I are restoring. The car has been in his family since about 1948 when his great grandfather bought it at an auction. The car was driven until 1961 and then parked in a building until a few years ago when we got it out and started working on it. We got it running and driving, at least in the driveway. We cannot figure out the problem with the brakes. The problem is the pedal will stay up for two or three days and then it will go to the floor unless we push the pedal every day. We have replaced everything about the brakes and still have the problem. New brake master cylinder, lines, rubber hoses, wheel cylinders, and shoes. I have worked on a number of vehicles over the years and never had a problem like this unless there was an obvious leak. There are no leaks on this system. We first rebuilt the master cylinder that was on it and same problem. If anyone has an idea of what may be going on I would appreciate the help.

Thanks

Mark

1947 Service Brake

Scott Alvord — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:35:10 +0000

I am looking for the bracket that attached under the dash that the brake handle attaches to. I am restoring a 1947 S11 and this bracket is not anywhere to be found.

Thanks

Scott Alvord

2025 Golden Quill Award Winner - DeSoto Adventures

DavidFrank — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:34:17 +0000

DeSoto Adventures was selected as one of the 2025 winners of Old Cars Weekly's Golden Quill Awards, complete with a cover shot of the November-December issue!

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