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Ok, it has been a while since I posted much on the forum and I have done a good bit of work on it. Mostly small stuff but some was a pain.
Here is the original post with photos. http://desoto.org/phpbbforum/viewto ... f=1&t=4149
1) I sent the clock out to get it restored and after several months I got it back and installed it. The care did not have a clock so I had to run new wire for it. I put in a 3 AMP fuse it and I think this is wrong as it is for a 12 volt car. The clock is working but it loses time, I will have to play with it to adjust it.
2) Had a bad TEMP gauge and had to pull the dash apart to install the think, I had a spare sitting around from a parts car I had torn apart, this was a difficult job and in the process I used a screw that was too long and it is coming throught the metal dash...grrrrr. Also I scratched the thin paint on the main dash.
3) Installed some new plug wires and plugs and while I was at it installed some cups and covers for the spark plugs. pushing the wires through the plug
covers was not the most fun task but it did get done. Also installed a new cap and rotor.
I think the car is running better but it could just be in my head.
4) My fuel gauge was not working so I purchased new sending unit online from one of the vendors listed here for about $90US and I think it lasted all of two weeks if that. So, I was running around with it broken for a bit. I then saw where some other folks used the sending unit from a Ford the has the same ohm range and the arm for the float is adjustable and it worked fine for them. So I ordered on for $37 US. It took a bit to trim the top to fit the Desoto's opening but it fits and is working. Boy is it nice to know how much fuel you have.
5) Brakes were pulling hard to the right when applied, not good. Visual inspection of shoes showed all was good till I got to the front drivers side and boy was that a mess so what the floor where it was parked. Got a kit for two front wheels and honed the cylinders and did the bleeding and thought i might be ok. Well the wheel cylinders were but the master was a mess. I tried to hone a spare I had sitting around and it was looking good but i just could not clean up a few pits and finally just purchase a new master cylinder. It was very easy to install. Did the bleeding again and had issues with the bleeders on the back wheels, off to the auto store and they has some self bleeders that fit. Whhooo hoooo. Completed the bleeding and took a test drive still some pulling but it was much better. the one set of shoes although cleaned were still soaked and after a bit of time they are much better. The pedal does not alway return and initially I had not spring for it; I installed a spring and it is better but I still have air in the lines as I can pump up the pedal.
6) Had to rerun the wire for the horn as the original was missing some of the insulation. simple task but it took a while to pull the new wire.
7) Had a busted exhaust hanger went and found one in eBay. Had to drill out the old hanger where it was connected to the frame mount and install a nut and bolt to hold the new hanger to the frame mount. The original was a huge rivet.
8.) I installed a 503 heater that I had from my parts car and the thermostat but I have yet to hook up the hoses. I purchase the duct from someone I have dealt with on EBAY. It is thick paper with a thick black coating as close to the real thing as I will get for now. i have the original and it had a few cracks and I may attempt to create one with fiberglass.
I am sure there is more and I will add as I remember.
Wish I was getting that much done on MY car!
On your brakes, you might still have air in the system, or you might need to adjust your shoes out. You should have a slight drag on the drums.
Tim
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Wish I was getting that much done on MY car!
On your brakes, you might still have air in the system, or you might need to adjust your shoes out. You should have a slight drag on the drums.
Tim
I think there are several things going on that I need to look after. One item is the return springs for the brake shoes, they are not the correct springs. Second would be the adjustment of the shoes. Third will be the bleeding and lastly the return spring for the brake pedal is a little weak, something I had laying around.
Also, I did not have the boots for the brake and clutch pedal and had to install them, the clutch has a massive return spring and it is not issue but I think the boot for the brake may drag a bit and the weak spring is not helping.
I will be addressing all of this in the near future and I do have new brake shoes, I just hat to mess with the C-clips. I think they are a real pain to work with.
Darin
