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Hi, brand new here and hoping to find some answers regarding my '58 DeSoto Ambulance. It was built from a Firedome 4-dr sedan and from what I've read on Coachbuilt, it might be a Memphian, though I've yet to confirm that. It has not been lengthened and possibly has the "police" package suspension upgrade, which was recommended for sedan conversions. Also, according to the shop where it is currently sitting, it has 12" brake drums.
Anyway, it needs a new fuel tank. The one it has measures 28"x31" but I do not know if it is original or was modified during the conversion. I have found a fuel tank replacement kit on moparmall listed as a "23-gallon" tank while Andy B lists a "20-gallon" tank. I also have found other "20-gallon" tanks from other dealers. Is this just a matter of differing estimates of the fuel-tank size or two different sized tanks?
I guess I should call both and ask them for measurements of their tanks, though I do not have a height measurement of mine.
I am going to check out Chrysler History to see if I can get details on this car. Also, some background, this car is currently 2-hours away at a shop who is supposed to be getting it running and stopping so that I can more easily move it around and get it to a storage location closer to home. Thus, there are some things about the car I simply do not know yet.
thanks!
Shawn
To the best of my knowledge, there were three tanks available for the '58 DeSoto. You can also check out Van's Auto and MoparPro as other tank vendor options. I have purchased tanks from Van's Auto before.
20-gallon tank for the short wheelbase Firesweep sedan/hardtop/convertible.
23-gallon tank for the long wheelbase Firedome/Fireflite/Adventurer sedan/hardtop/convertible. Both the 20 and 23 gallon tanks are shaped similar to this:
22-gallon tank for the station wagons, like this. These are shaped more like a cube like this:
Being that your car was converted, it's conceivable that any of these three versions were used or even something custom. I can measure the tank on my '59 Fireflite if it helps. That's a 23-gallon version.
Regarding the brakes, I believe the stock size was 12" for a '58 Firedome, also the same as my '59 Fireflite. If they weren't changed during the ambulance conversion, what your mechanic is telling you is consistent with what it was built with. If the shop is going to do the brake work, make sure they are properly equipped to remove the rear tapered axle drums - a puller is required. I personally like this one: https://www.chrysler300club.com/rcmstuff/fairbanks/puller.html
Thanks, David. I have already contacted Mr Fairbanks about a drum puller. I think shop may have already damaged the end of the axle using one of those 3-legged drum pullers so I now may be looking for an axle shaft now, too.
Since this car is badged "Firedome" and the wagons for that year were all Fireflites or Firesweeps, I'm pretty certain that this car must be a modified 4-dr sedan. I'll have the shop doublecheck the wheelbase, but it also doesn't look like it has been lengthened either. If it is a Memphian, the pics I've seen of extended Memphians have extended rear doors, but the doors on mine look to be unmodified. Coachbuilt.com says that some were also built on Firedome models that were not extended.
That 28"x31" dimension they gave me for the fuel tank seems a lot more like the squarish tank for the wagons, so maybe the coach company changed it for some reason. But I wonder if the fuel tank kit that moparmall sells would allow me to convert it back (straps are included). But maybe some modification underneath would prevent that.
Good morning, Shawn. The 5 point drum puller from Les Fairbanks is the way to go. It keeps even pressure so that it doesn't warp the drum. It normally takes a lot of pressure for the initial break. Apply a thin coat of oil to the tapered shaft upon reassembly, and future removals will be much easier.
That's a fine looking car. Get it out on the road for all to see.
Glenn
What a great car you have. Very rare indeed. Hopefully we will see it at the 2026 NDC Convention in Louisville, KY.
@shawnsaving that is correct regarding it starting as a 4-door sedan. The 4-door sedan conversions have the squared off back door window frames, flat side rear windows, the standard fins, and a side-opening external hinge rear door. The wagon conversions retained the wagon-only curved back door window frames, wagon-only wrap-around side rear windows, wagon-only fins, and sometimes also the standard wagon tailgate, depending on the use. If yours is a standard wheelbase and not lengthened (which it looks to be the standard rear door length), that will help immensely in terms of finding mechanical parts since more will cross to the standard Firedome sedan.
