1958 Firedome Ambulance fuel tank question

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.

I snapped these photos of my '59 Fireflite tank over the weekend, which should be the same as a standard '58 Firedome sedan tank. Hopefully this helps as a reference to determine what you have.

@davidfrank thanks for the photos and measurements.  that aligns with what I have and the shop confirmed that it is definitely NOT the wagon tank.  MoparMall has a full tank kit for this application so I am thinking that is the way to go.  I've seen only the tank and sending unit elsewhere but I'm thinking while it's out, might as well replace all the seals, sending unit, etc.  Getting everything at once would be easiest.  I'll pay through the nose to get this installed but until I can get the car closer to home and can work on it myself, I don't have much choice...:/

I've been out of the mopar game since I finished my '67 Newport Custom 20+ years ago, so I've never done business with MoparMall before.  Anyone familiar with the kit they sell?

@shawnsaving I am glad you're getting the tank identification figured out! Moparmall is one of the common Mopar aftermarket companies. They usually are on the higher side for price, but sometimes the convenience of a kit with everything included in it is worth the money. I personally have only had experience with Van's Auto in Wisconsin for gas tanks and even that is limited. The good news is that they are a small company and will take a phone call to answer questions.

A note regarding sending units - most aftermarket sending units do not read correctly. If yours works (the shop should be able to test this in-car even if the car is not running, but the key needs to be turned to the on position with power hooked up), or does not simply because the cork float is saturated, you would be best off replacing the float (for cork float replacement: https://www.cbodies.com/proddetail.php?prod=Repro-Float) and continuing to use it. Note also that if the sending unit is not working, it could be a bad/missing ground as the unit needs to be grounded to work. Usually, there is a ground strap that attaches to the sending unit nipple and the long steel fuel line running to the front, by-passing the short rubber hose in between.

@davidfrank ah, good to know about the sending unit.  I figured that it might be so gunked up from old gasoline that it would not work anymore.

I've talked to AB, Vans and MoparPro and they all say the 20-gallon tank is the only one being reproduced, which makes me seriously question the moparmall listing which claims to be a 23-gallon tank - https://www.moparmall.com/1957-59-DeSoto-Chrysler-Fuel-Tank-Package-p/328-020.htm

If I can get someone there to answer the phone or call me back I may be able to get some answers.

So, if the 23-gal tank really isn't available, what are DeSoto folks doing for gas tanks?  sizing down to the 20 gallon?  Do those fit?

I bought one from Van's for my '59 that is supposed to be for my car and would have to be a 23-gallon tank. I believe I even compared it to a junk one I had loose. Maybe theirs is mislabeled? Perhaps @glenncolburn can take a photo of his 20-gallon Furesweep tank for visual comparison.

Good Morning-  The 1958 service manual lists the Firedome (LS-2) as having a 23 gallon gas tank.  The dimensions on my 1959 Firesweep 20 gallon tank (not as pretty as David's) seem to match the 23 gallon measurements.  I don't know where I got the info, but I thought I had a 17 gallon tank- that's what it took Saturday returning from Michigan with the gauge directly on "E".  It's good to know I've got a little reserve, but I don't like to let it get that low!

@glenncolburn Hey Glenn, well, this is interesting.  So, if I have this correcnt, your '59 Firesweep (LS1) is supposed to have come with the smaller 20-gal tank yet your measurements match those for my '58 Firedome and David's '59 Fireflite.  Does anyone happen to have an OE part number for either/both of these tanks?  

MoparMall says their 13-piece kit applies to these part numbers but does not specify which number is the fuel tank.

• Replaces MoPar P/N: 1676468 - 1671611 - 1704652 - 1704653 - 1704853 - 1820195 - 1820199 - 1841687 - 1842432 - 1842443
  

The guy at MoparPro said the 20-gallon tank will fit.  The guy at Van's said they are the ones that started reproducing these tanks and they only make the 20-gallon.  Maybe the length and width of these tanks is the same and the 23 gallon tanks are just a little thicker?  Wouldn't have to be much to get the 3 extra gallons of capacity over that much area and the hangers could all be in the same place regardless of the tank used. 

anyway, still trying to reach someone at MoparMall.   btw, do your tanks have drain plugs?

Good Morning, Shawn-  The 1959 parts manual shows the 20 gallon tank as 1820 199, the 23 gallon tank as 1820 195.  Yes, there is a drain plug, part no. 1739 194, and a drain plug seal 1739 196.