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Icouldn't find the post about the pic. of the upside down steering wheel but I suddenly realized that that wheel and the one Tim Bowers mentioned, was probably recast upside down. I've done a couple and the ribs are in the middle so, if you don't line it up right, it will be upside down. Dave allard
http://desoto.org/phpbbforum/viewto ... f=1&t=4394
When I installed the newly recast steering wheel into the Adventurer and discovered it was upside down from "normal", I called the guy that did the recasting and asked if it was possible to have done it the wrong way and he said it wasn't possible to put the core into the mold 180 degrees out.
It's a mystery.
The 4 door hardtop currently in the shop was sitting on wheel dollies and I looked into the car and thought we had another one with an upside down wheel. The front tires were turned slightly to the left, and the steering wheel was not quite completely upside down. I was surprised that the steering wheel turned nearly 180 degrees (right side up) and the front tires only went a short distance to the right, but then they too, were pointed straight ahead and all seemed right with the world again.
Looking at the tires and the steering wheel of the car in the above thread, I would say that the steering wheel would orient "right side up" and then the slight turning of the front tires would also be corrected.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Tim. I can not figure out how to include pics. on this site (and I'm not the only one). Anyway I have a 2 piece mold and can certainly cast the 2nd part (wheel rim and upper legs) up-side-down. The other guys may have a 1 piece mold (altho I'm damned if I can figure out how to make one) but, if so, I bet it was made from a miscast wheel cause I do not believe DeSoto would have installed such a thing when it just looks wrong and every other feature of the 55 is perfect. I'll try to load the one pic of the partial (crappy job). wheel showing the spokes. The keyway is at top lined up with the top-most horn hold down. dave
I had a 55 Sportsman and the wheel was mounted as in the above picture. The black part has grips for your hands and two neat little pads to rest your thumbs. The spokes have a slight downward slant so the gauges are easier to see. Don't ask me how or why ones where built "upside down".
Tim Mabry
The Lost Cause Garage
47 Suburban
57 Sportsman 4dr HT
I think the steering wheel in the red car is on correctly, the wheels are turned slightly to the left. Straightening the front tires will orient the steering wheel correctly.
I'm also convinced that the steering wheel for the Adventurer we restored is cast correctly. I believe the upper shaft of the steering column was assembled at the factory incorrectly causing the keyed spline to be 180 degrees out from "normal".
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
