Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
Late last summer my '56 sputtered and died when I was out for a drive. A new condensor and I was on my way home. The next time I took the car out after about 30 miles, same thing. Sputtered, died, and a new condensor made it happy. Today was the first time its been out this spring. It started up fine, and we drove about 15 miles and then when I took it up to highway speed it started to run rough and surge. We made it home OK, and it never died but its got me wondering what is up with the ignition system.
I am NOT an expert electrical troubleshooter, but in past similar discussions and experiences, I would wonder about the following;
overheating coil?
plugged fuel line? I bring this up based on the experience my Dad had with his '56 convertible; the car would start and run fine, but within a short period would spit, sputter, and die. After a short while, it would start up and run again for another short time. Turned out that the fuel pickup tube in the tank was blocked, and of course starved the car for fuel under the demands of going down the road. With time, enough fuel would pass by and the car would run again.
Something to start the conversation, anyway....
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I had the same thing happen with my Case farm tractor and it was the coil.
Paul
Well I've got one in the trunk so I'll put it on and see what happens.
Malcolm
Lookin' forward to hearing!
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I had that prob. with a 55 dodge some years ago and discovered a fuel line coupling (that I installed) was not completely tight..took care of that and she ran fine. also had the same problem with the 55 Desoto and replaced all the fuel lines AND dropped the tank, cut a 8 inch square opening in the top (fill the tank with water or exhaust gas to prevent explosion) and pulled a 2 lb coffee can of rust sludge out of it..cleaned the tank, etched and sealed the tank and soldered the lid back on..voila, cured. careful you don't plug the pick up tube screen on the tank bottom with sealer (I blew air back through the tube with the tank upside down). If you have a bunch of crap in the tank, you might as well redo the carb cause it's sludged too. dave
Replace the ballast resistor; could also be coil or ignition switch. Fuel problems are likely if you haven't had the tank cleaned out.
Good Luck
Steve
