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The starter solenoid on my 48 custom club coupe shorted out last week and the car had to ride the flat bed truck home. The previous owner warned me when I bought the car that the starter, part #67042, is as rare as hens teeth. So far I have not been able to locate any. I am hoping that someone might know of a possible source or of someone who can repair the solenoid. Another possibility is replacing the original starter with a later starter. A local starter-generator guy is trying to take some parts from another type starter and my starter to build a hybrid. He has ordered the starter from a friend in Texas and it should be here tomorrow. He will have it ready Monday next. My fear is that it will not fit because of the unique shape of the original solenoid. It is mounted at about a 30 degree angle from vertical toward the engine. It has a built in relay that is mounted on the rear of the solenoid at about a 30 degree angle the opposite way. Obviously it was built this way so the relay would clear the engine block. So I am skeptical that our hybrid starter will fit, but I do remain hopeful. Maybe I should investigate modifying the car to accept a crank.
Jim,
I cannot vouch for these guys as I have not yet had to use their services. Perhaps someone else on this forum has experience with their service. They might be able to assist with your current issue.
http://acewichita.com/index.html
Mark
Thanks Mark. I tried them but the business is closed. Most everything was sold to Dan Smith in Ashby MA. I am working with a guy in Oklahoma City. He has been in starter generator business many years. He found a solenoid from a Chrysler and put it on the starter, but the relay is turned the wrong way and it hits the engine so I can't put a bolt in. He has another idea to put a different solenoid on it without the big relay. I will take it back tomorrow (monday). If that doesn't work then I will call Mr. Smith.
Jim,
Thanks for the feedback. I'll remove that vendor from my list. Good luck on the possible repair.
Mark
First off what is the model number on your starter. We need to know the numbers such as IAT1234.
The starter selinoid would also have a number stamped on the flange of the moutning plate where it is bolted ontot he starter motor. You might have to scrap some dirt and paint off the the flange see if you can find the number. Let me know the number that you find.
According to an old autolite starter controls document for 1946-48 Desoto the starter switch is an Autolite SS-4707 and the starter model is MAW-4025
The starter switch SS-4707 was used from 1946 -48 and 1949-1950
you can find these starter switch of the following starters MAW-4025, MCH-6102 and MAW-4055 for Desoto
For Chrysler 1949-50 6 & 8 SS-4707 and starter number MCL-6101
Rich Hartung
desoto1939@aol.com
Cell 484-431-8157
Kanter Auto Products has them in their catalog, they are not cheap.
Paul
Gen-Star Electric in Glendale, AZ repairs solenoids. Their number is (623) 939-2202.
You said it shorted out. So does this mean that you know the coil is burned up and therefore may not be repairable? Or does it just not work? Or has it been tested and shown to be shorted out?
The solenoid is shorted so it may not be repairable. However I have just completed a fix today. I took the starter to a starter repair shop in Oklahoma City. He tested the solenoid to find the short. Then we looked for another, but no luck. So he suggested that we use a GM solenoid. It does not have the attached relay like the Chrysler so I had to mount a remote relay on the fender. It has a few more wires now, but the starter works perfectly. Took it for a drive today. I forgot to mention that he was able to find another Chrysler starter, but it was for the other side of the engine. The relay stuck out the opposite direction and hit the engine so could not install it. However he did get a good armature out of it. That's when he suggested the GM solenoid. The old solenoid and the armature both showed signs of overheating. Someone had likely cranked the engine excessively and overheated the solenoid and starter. If anyone is interested I will post photos of the installation.
Paul Murkowicz! Great to see you posting!
Jim, I'd encourage you to write up a little story explaining your trouble and the solution you came up with and submit it to the editors. I'd bet someone would love to hear about a workable solution for their car.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Thanks for the encouragement Paul.
I have written articles for other clubs so I am not afraid to do it. Are there any guide lines for articles?
We drove the car about 30 miles Sunday and the starter works great. But on the way home either the clutch or coupling started slipping. I inspected the clutch pedal linkage and found that all four adjustments were fouled up. I knew the pedal didn't line up with the brake, but thought nothing of it. Then I found there was no free play and that is likely to cause slippage. I set the pedal height using the limit screw and then reset the pedal rod turn buckle. Then I could set the free play. I didn't have my book with me so I didn't try to set the over center spring. The book indicates there is a gauge to use to set the over center spring. The picture in the book shows the gauge and it appears that a straight segment on the over center spring bracket aligns almost parallel with the spring. So next step is to set the over center spring, but without a gauge.
I haven't been able to test-drive the car since the weather turned bad today but I have hopes it will be alright. The bell housing appears to be freshly painted silver so I think a previous owner replaced the clutch but botched the adjustment.
