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Just picked up a 1936 DeSoto Airflow S2. Runs and drives, but... This is an overdrive car. On the dash there is a knob that locks out the freewheel unit when you pull it out about 4 inches. The transmission won't go into reverse unless freewheel is locked out. The problem is, as soon as you start going forward, the knob drifts in and the freewheel is no longer locked out. There is a pretty strong pull on it -- too hard to hold the knob out by hand. I thought that, with luck, maybe I just needed to adjust the control cable to pull the control arm all the way forward when the knob is out, but that didn't help. Any suggestions? Some web work suggested Neil Riddle (Washington), and he suggested George Asche (PA), whom I am trying to contact.
Other bits: the engine serial number starts with S2, indicating it's from a 36 Airflow, and most likely this one. The overdrive has no electrical connection -- it seems to have a centrifugal clutch to engage it above about 45 mph. I think the power train is original equipment.
Here's a photo of the car still on the rental hauler when I picked it up a few weeks ago.
John Boyd
San Diego, California
Member National Desoto Club and Airflow Club of America
drjohn96@me.com
1936 S2 Airflow sedan (1)
1937 Chrysler Airflow sedan (2)
