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Hello everyone, my name is Stewart. I am stationed in Alaska and just happened across a great deal. I am the proud new owner of a 1959 firesweep sportsman. 99% original. Somewhat of a barn find. I am a mechanic in the Army and plan to do all restoration myself. If anyone could point me in the right direction of literature, parts, really anything to help would be much appreciated. Thank you very much.
Welcome to the message board. The 59 is one of the more popular years within the club membership
Please post a copy of your data plate which is usually located by the passenger's side hood hinge. From there we can identify some basic information about the car like if was made in LA (VIN M414 1----- or Detroit M412 1-----)
Additional pictures of the interior and side would be helpful
Note that the sweep's wheelbase is 4" shorter than a Firedome or Fireflite so the entire front clip is different as is the engine (361 ci vs 383); the wheel size is different even most of the colors are different as the car was made on Dodge line rather than Desoto
Look for a 58 service manual and locate the 59 supplement which is usually available as a reprint
Welcome aboard
Stewart
I too want to Welcome You To De Soto's.
The 361 was mostly a 2 bbl Engine and Single Exhaust. After about
every 200 of them a 4 bbl & Single Exhaust went through "The Line".
Then a 4 bbl Dual Exhaust would "Show Up". Now it is 2013 and
count the number of Dual Exhaust 4 bbl'd 361's.
*
Dodge 2 bbl 361's = Torque Rating of 350@2,400 RPM's
De Soto 2 bbl 361's = 380@2,400 RPM's
Chrysler 2 bbl 361's = Even more @2,400's ( it was the price/ marketing game
even though a 1959 parts book shows they all used the same items )
*
The 361 was used by Car Division's until the end of the 1965 Production
year, then it went away in Car Division's. It is a smaller bore 383 ( but
because of Cylinder Wall Thick-ness you can not safely bore it out to use
Standard Sized 383 Piston's ).
The original Rear Axle Ratio is either 2.9:1 or 3.3:1 .
Starting in 1957 every MoPar ( of every Division ) used 14 inch wheels.
As a standard no added anything option this lasted past the 1968 Production
Year.
For better help use http://desoto.org/resources and go to The 1959
Tech Help.
Rodger & Gabby
Colo Spgs
FltSgt@outlook.com
Welcome, Stewart, and to your great DeSoto as well!
