Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
Hello Club Members! I run an automotive shop in Mississippi and have a client that brought us a 1948 Custom that he found in a barn somewhere. I am really excited about the project because I love antiques, but I'll be the first to admit that I am not terribly familiar with her. She needs a number of components that I am having a bit of difficulty tracking down. I am hoping that anyone who has done their own restoration may be able to point me in the right directions for these things.
I've attached a couple of photos of her below. Please check out her engine bay and see what else I may be missing.
Any ideas on where we can get a radiator, harmonic balancer, and a fan assembly? We will be pulling the motor out soon to go over with a fine-toothed comb, but it allegedly is a running motor. If it is not a good motor, what are some swaps that have been done with these cars? Any tips or information on this big beautiful lady are appreciated.
(I also apologize for cluttering up the 1940's gallery. I had assumed all the photos were posting to their own sub-sub-gallery folder.)
Thank you for anything you can do for my client!
Nicole @ LBARS Garage
I have a 48 myself which I am going with a more custom type build than a resto. I have the motor pulled out right now and sitting as a whole. I will try to figure out how to post some pics for you. I also have a radiator, but it got nailed by a fan at some point. Unfortunately i am in Northern California making shipping and such challenging but I am more than willing to give up/ trade etc all or part of the engine, tranny, radiator, etc. just to see them used rather than scrapped.
You can email me direct at desotolowrider@gmail.com
I was also able to get a reprinted shop manual for mine at
http://www.oldmoparts.com/parts.aspx
Hola Yo'll
1. Starting with the Engine Cooling Fan.
They are the same Diameter for the outer circle of the four paddles on every era MoPar - be it The Chrysler Six - The De Soto Six - The Dodge Six or The Plymouth Six.
If you spot a Five or Six Paddle Unit ( aka HD/ Sever Duty ) - it too is the same
outer diameter.
The Center Water Pump Shaft Hole and The four holes for The Mounting Bolts all have the same spacing too.
*
The same era GM Product's will also fit the same.
*
2. Complete Engine Swaps
All 1946 to 1954 De Soto Six Cylinder Engine's Look and Mount the same. It is the
stamped Engine Code ( on the boss behind the Generator area ) that tells all its
"Birth Certificate" Data. The 1948's all have S11 and some other information )
The S11 Series is 231 Cubes.
Starting in 1952 to the end of the 1954 Production Year The De Soto Six's are 251 cubes.
All 1946 to 1954 Chrysler Six Cylinder Engines look the same and mount the same
as The De Soto Six's. The Stamped Code is C39 for the same era as The De Soto's and the cubes are 251.
Starting in 1952 to the end of the 1954 Production Year all Chrysler Six's are 265 cubes.
*
Even though The Plymouth and Dodge Six's look the same they have a max cubic inch of 230 and the head is only 23 inch's long vs 25 inches.
All Chrysler's have Spitfire cast on the top of the head with lightning bolts.
*
Some common mistakes are not knowing The Electrical System is Six Volts with a
Positive Ground. With this a lil 12 volt diameter spec'd Grounding Cable is used
instead of what is correct for a 6 Volt System.
The most incorrect Transmission Maintenance Mistake is using a modern transmission fluid in The Fluid Drive Unit. The common user mistake is not
knowing how to use The M-6 Transmission and The Fluid Drive Assembly
instead of #32 Hydraulic Fluid.
Mechanically and Optionally all 1946 to 1948 De Soto's are the same ... http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/mopar/ ... 7desm.html
Look to the left and you should see - Resources. Lean on the related era
Tech Advisor's for help ( it is free ).
Rodger & Gabby
FltSgt@outlook.com
