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Hello all,
Can anyone with a '49 look and see if the inner lower sheet metal pan in front of the radiator and runs across the front to the fender shields uses a machine sheet metal screw into "U" nuts or a nut and bolt.
Preparing to hang the front outer fenders on in the next couple of weeks. I spent the last month working on the fuel and brake lines. Since I modified the car for disk brakes (San Francisco eats drum brakes for lunch if you drive the car every day) I had to custom make the lines. I also used a Tildon Racing balance bar and two master cylinders while I was at it. I eliminated the stock fuel pump and am using a Carter Rotary 6V POS GRN one with a 3/32 restricted 3/16 fuel line. That keeps gas flowing and the pump cool even if stuck in traffic. A side benefit is less chance of vapor lock and less chance of fuel boiling over the fuel bowl when shut down as the pressure back bleeds on the return line as soon as you kill the power.
The dash is done and wired. The top mechanism is in and working. The windows are all in and working and seals across the side glass fair. The custom steel wheels to clear the caliper are done and powder coated and the tires are do in on Monday. Some of the seals are in. Some of the chrome is on. The seat mechanism is rebuilt.
Still need to take the driveshaft into the shop for new joints and balance. Once I get the front radiator sheet metal in place and the inner fenders I can finish the engine bay wiring.
The seats are done as are the door panels at the upholster. Once I get the car running, I will take it to him for the interior installation. At that time I will have him take measurements and order the top.
On the subject of the top. Apparently in 1949 and perhaps 1950 the cars left the factory with a top rear window (plastic) that could be completely zipped out. It had two zippers. The regular horseshoe shaped one and a single one along the bottom. We are going to do it factory with two zippers so that it can be taken out when not in use. We will also make a spare and store it away so that down the line if the rear plastic goes we can just zip the new one in.
I hope everyone had a nice Thanks Giving and has a great holiday season.
James
James
I am going to visit an friend on Monday ( at Peyton-Colo ). I'll take my digital camera that I now own and take several photos of what I see for you. He has
several 1949 - 1950 De Soto, Chrysler and Imperials too that are all "parts cars".
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
Thanks Rodger,
I found a plate in one parts book that showed "U" nuts and screws. I thought OK, that is it. Then I stopped by a shop of a friend and he had a 1949 Desoto sedan in the shop. This thing is beat up, but it looks like it never was in a crash and never apart. I bent down and looked. It has bolts and nuts connecting those two parts.
UUUUrrrrrggggg....
I think that due to the strike in 1948 that set back production of the "New 1949" cars that the master parts books and standardization went out the window in the push to get the new designs out the door.
I have documented several different parts from different sub-suppliers on the '49's. I have also seen different parts on cars if they were made in Detroit or Los Angles. I have seen wire and brake line routing that is different depending on the plant.
I look forward to hearing what you find. Take a look at the serial number plate and also let me know if it is a Detroit or LA car.
Thanks, James
If needed I can have a look under my '50.
Let me know.
Darin
James, I looked under my 53 and it has speed nuts. The assembly is very similar to yours. The attachments near the radiator have the speed nuts on top of the panel. The ones more to the front of the car have the speed nuts underneath. I suspect someone lost the speed nuts and decided to bolt and nut the panels togther.
James, I looked under my 53 and it has speed nuts. The assembly is very similar to yours. The attachments near the radiator have the speed nuts on top of the panel. The ones more to the front of the car have the speed nuts underneath. I suspect someone lost the speed nuts and decided to bolt and nut the panels togther.
Hi Paul, I took another look at the '49 Sedan in the shop and it is no doubt orginal and has bolts. I think that on some areas of the car they did what they wanted based on parts at hand. I used bolts on mine as a couple of the speed nuts on the upper fenders were bad and I think by freeing up 6 of them I don't have to go find some new ones.
James
James, your assessment could definitely be correct. If so they changed over somewhere between 49 and 53. I am not sure though that you can be sure the nuts and bolts are original. Someone here should have a 49 and know. Maybe contact the 49 tech advisor.
