question 47 desoto convertible

Rich,
Here's what I was able to track down in our NDC Library.
I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for but this illustration from the MoPar Master Parts List should be of some help.

"It's about the people, the cars just bring us together!"

Geoff

Check with Dennis Bickford. He runs the long established Chrysler T&C parts business. 575-443-1160

It is likely that the part you want is the same as that used on the 1946 to 1948 T&C.

He has parts for the 1949 T&C that are the same as that on my 1949 Desoto (second series) convertible.

James

Tried the reference he couldn't help me. Here's some pictures maybe you can help with the NDC parts book review the picture of the cylindrical pieces what I need this one is for Thunderbird but I believe mine is smaller

If push comes to shove, I bet a machine shop could make one for you.

Hi Rich,

You are a lucky fellow to own an S11 convertible. Most of us just lust after those. They are just unusual enough that I have never had occasion to study the top mechanism on one, or on any DeSoto convertible for that matter. But your question gave me that opportunity.

It turns out that the parts book blow-ups Geoff posted are for the 1949-1954 models. The 1949-1952 cars used the single motor system with two flex shafts and worm-and-nut struts operated through 90-degree gear-sets. The 1953-1954 cars used a hydraulic system. The S11 model though, used two motor and worm/nut struts, one on each side. Here is the diagram of that system:

After studying the parts list, I was not able to find anything that looked like a coupling listed as a serviceable part. The motor is listed, as is the worm-and-nut strut assembly and the reduction gear set. That leads me to believe that the coupling, if one was used, was "purchase-in-assembly" (PIA) one of the two mating parts. I am assuming that the motor and shaft assembly on the other side still works, and is in original condition. Can you look at it and see how that one is assembled?

So I had them both I sent the motors out to be reconditioned it came back reconditioned and I've never been able to find those two pieces they look just like the one for the Thunderbird I posted but I think that one's too big I'm going to buy one and see

t

Here's another picture of the car

Rich,

That car looks like a lot of fun in the California sun waiting to happen! Since you are going custom, you have more freedom. I'd try making a pair of couplings. start with a piece of tubing with an ID just a hint over the OD of the biggest shaft. Cut it to a length just shy of the length you are trying to bridge. Drill two holes in each tube that line-up with the crotch of the slots in the shafts. Put screws in the holes and nuts on the other side. If you wanted to get elegant, you could thread one side so you didn't need nuts, and put a piece of vacuum hose over the screw to get a tighter/quieter fit to the slots.

So, what is under the hood of that machine?

The following may sound way too simple/cheap/half a**ed but this is what I would try. 1) Cut a piece of flat stock that slots into the 2 drive slots. 2) Cut a piece of rubber hose that slips over the 2 shafts. 3) Put the metal inside the hose and place it between the 2 shafts.

Thanks for that Tim I think I'll do almost the same thing but maybe use a piece of steel tubing as the whole thing needs to spin including the cylinder thanks