Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects 1940 Desoto coupe project

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by txturbo, Nov 25, 2018.

  1. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    F4CBDF11-875B-4411-A34E-32EB1E29A358.jpeg Technically I guess I have started this project so I figured I would go ahead and start a thread on it.
    This one is a 40 Desoto coupe that a found a few years ago. Mostly complete with a little tornado damage on the roof. Wish I would have found it before that happened. A tree blew over and made a glancing blow on the side of the car and wrinkled the roof and wiped out a hard to find piece of quarter trim.
    The motor is still in it and it appears it was running until the clutch went out. Someone pulled the transmission and it’s in the trunk along with the new clutch parts. I guess it didn’t get done quick enough and the motor locked up from sitting.
    Shortly after buying the car I spotted a 56 Desoto 330 hemi at a swap meet. Couldn’t pass that up so I bought it and have been collecting some missing parts for it. Just recently found a flywheel for it. I didn’t realize how hard those are to find. Up until putting the flywheel on I couldn’t get the motor to spin. So this weekend I put that on and started trying to get some movement. Still wouldn’t budge. It’s had MMO soaking in the cylinders for quite awhile. So my backup plan went into action. I did a thanksgiving hemi roast. As soon as the block started warming up it broke loose and spins fairly easily. MMO does amazing things on warm motors. Next step is to find a starter and a carb and get this thing to run. Stay tuned!
     
  2. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

  3. plym_46
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 4,018

    plym_46
    Member
    from central NY

    I don't care who you are! That right there is funny! Hemi Roast indeed.

    Thanks
     
    Deuces, OahuEli, mgtstumpy and 3 others like this.
  4. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,693

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    What ever works.
     
    mgtstumpy, Stogy and chryslerfan55 like this.

  5. junkers72
    Joined: Sep 21, 2014
    Posts: 50

    junkers72

    That will unfreeze it for sure. Lol. Cool project .


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  6. farmer12
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 7,717

    farmer12
    Member

    Great score! Love the Hemi! What plans do you have for the car?
     
  7. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    Great body style.. Should be fun build...
     
  8. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    Hemi with a 4 speed of some kind. I have a Saginaw laying around. Haven’t decided on a rear end yet.
     
    chryslerfan55 and farmer12 like this.
  9. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    I found the carb that goes to this motor. Didn’t even remember it coming with one. So now I just need a starter.
     
    chryslerfan55 and Stogy like this.
  10. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,605

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hilarious...and genius. I'm gonna remember that one.
    "MMO does amazing things for a WARM engine."
    Couldn't figure out what the f you were doing...lol.
    Oh...the coupe's gonna be be cool...
     
    chryslerfan55, OahuEli and Stogy like this.
  11. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    Anyone know how common the dual point distributors were? This motor has one and I need tune up parts. One set of points is broken and so is the rotor. The cap seems pretty easy to find.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  12. Lucky667
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 2,233

    Lucky667
    Member
    from TX

    Rock Auto. Great prices. You may have to look up Chrysler for the dual points.
     
    OahuEli likes this.
  13. good luck, sounds like a fun project.
     
  14. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    I looked there but they didn’t list the dual points. Are Chrysler’s the same? Seems like everything else is different between Desoto and Chrysler.
     
  15. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Brilliant!
    Rod nuts roasting on an open fire.
    Crankshaft dripping at the throws..

    Bet that smelled tasty.
     
    55 phil, Peanut 1959, Hnstray and 5 others like this.
  16. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    I may try this on the old flat head 6 that’s still in the car.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  17. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    10 minutes Later...:D

    Jumpfor-it.jpg

    Joking aside @txturbo I really like the early 40s Chrysler Coupes
    look forward to your project...;)

     
  18. Lucky667
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 2,233

    Lucky667
    Member
    from TX

    Back to Rock Auto parts, looks like 56-57 Chrysler and DeSoto use the same distributor cap & rotor. I don't know about the points. I have a lot of 55-56 Chrysler distributors, . . . is there anything I can check on them for you ?
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  19. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    You have dual point distributors? Mine is an autolite and I found a set of points for dual point on Napa’s site but it said for IBS distributor. If you have a dual and single point rotor can you compare and see if they are the same?
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  20. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    I like all the early 40s coupes but especially the 39-40 Desoto because of rarity
     
    Stogy likes this.
  21. A whole new take on the Texas barbeque.
     
    OahuEli and Stogy like this.
  22. Lucky667
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 2,233

    Lucky667
    Member
    from TX

    I have dual point distributors for 331 & 354 Chryslers. Lots of them. What can I do for you ?
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  23. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    When I hear Desoto I think BIG is it in fact larger than the Dodge/Plymouth Coupes?
     
  24. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    It’s got a big ass.....I think it’s the same though. You could hide a 500 Cadillac and transaxle in that trunk.....if you were into that kind of thing
     
  25. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

  26. j hansen
    Joined: Dec 22, 2012
    Posts: 5,202

    j hansen
    Member

    Nice,,,,,,subscribed!
     
  27. looking good ...
     
  28. farmer12
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 7,717

    farmer12
    Member

    That sounds like a good plan! Going to be watching this thread for sure.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  29. I really like the style of the old Mopar's so I couldn't help but play around with the photo you posted. Here's a couple of renderings that might offer you some inspiration . One is basically stock bodied and the other has a mild chop.

    nochop.jpg chop.jpg
     
    trevorsworth, kbgreen, slv63 and 8 others like this.
  30. txturbo
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 1,771

    txturbo
    Member

    Nice....but I doubt I will be going the shiny route. I’ll probably just leave the body as is. If I do ever put any paint on it I think I’ll go black primer
     
    chryslerfan55 and 64-classic660 like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.