Projects my first project thread, 52 Desoto

Just a grant probably. Nothing too fancy

 

So I am out here in the garage looking at the end result I am super happy with the outcome. Really glad I didn't go with my original plan. It cost a ton more money and time on my part being my first hemi build but it's just so cool. I love the lines of this car. Last year of the split windshield and it makes such nice lines with the point something that was lost in 53 with the switch to 1 piece windshield

 

couple vids of the new exhaust and when I brought it home from the exhaust shop

 

awsome job,glad you stuck with it....

 

Well I am happier than ever, she is running awesome, adjusted the push rods on passenger side yesterday, driver side is gonna be a bitch since the brake booster is too close to the valve cover so i gotta take the booster off to get the valve cover off but all in all she is running so good, got a new heater valve put in, i am shocked the heater core doesnt leak and the radiator doesn't seem to leak either, i cheaped out and just flushed it with boiling water myself instead of taking it in and having it re-cored

 

SWEET!
That thing sounds great. Good job.............

 

trade me your desoto front clip for my 52 chrysler front clip.

 

I should add the the spindles are at the machine shop getting bushings fitted to the new kingpins so hopefully the front end wont wobble anymore

 

Yeah, I have to pull the M/C on my '60 to get to the valve cover

 

Well things are going well, machine shop somehow managed to fuck up and took to much out of one of the bushings so the passenger side spindle is back there getting fixed, also must have been a casting defect in it as well b/c charlie had to make me some additional spacers for the disc conversion to make the passenger side rotor sit where it needs to, got a lead on some power window parts but I should be on the road once I get all the front end parts back

 

Finally took her out for a maiden voyage yesterday and she drove pretty good, steering is loose as hell so I imagine the only way to fix that is to get the steering box rebuilt? Found all the power window parts I need as well!

 

Just read the entire thread, GREAT build. Glad you stuck with the hemi, what a cool car.

 

Any pointers on where to start in terms of addressing the steering issue? The steering wheel turns 2-3 inches each direction before the wheels grab

 

my guess is the same as yours, probably needs steering box rebuilt.

 

Best place to start is to have someone rock the wheel while you lay on your back and video everything that might be moving. If the wheel moves but nothing past the gear box moves then the box is shot...I'm guessing that you'll find plenty of loose parts that by themselves are not-so-bad but added together.....

 

I took one wheel off and moved the rotor and there was movement at the steering wheel so I am starting with the tie rod ends and going from there, gonna be a major pain in the ass to take the steering box out so hoping i dont have to

 

Today was a very good day, All my power window parts showed up today, looks like i have all i need, hopefully can get them put together on sunday morning pre football

 

Good for you! We'll be following along.

 

Well I got the window motors all wired up yesterday and 1 motor works and the other needs rebuilt so I am probably going to just have them both rebuilt, anybody know anyone who does this or where I can get them rebuilt?

 

I was cruising this baby all last summer and man what a good feeling it was after all the years of work, still doing some tinkering this winter but im even more excited for this summer! So so so glad i stuck with the hemi! Im trying to find an edelbrock DS 495 intake for it if anyone has one

 

Congrats! Glad you're enjoying it.

 

You should try to adjust the steering box, before you take it out for a rebuild.

 

I dont think there is anywhere to adjust it, it did have factory power steering but i need to fab brackets to mount a GM pump on it, it actually doesnt steer that bad, there is some play but for a 67 year old car its pretty good

 

Well I finally got a power steering set up from a 57 with a 341 I just bought. Does anyone know if the timing covers are the same for both the high and low deck motors?

 

Apparently all the same.

 

Sweet! I was hoping so

 

Got her all tore down to put the 57 cover on. I discovered the 57 cover is an inch bigger in depth so everything will be pushed forward an inch. I am also curious as to what this little flipper thing is that is on my original cover but the 57 cover doesn’t have one

 

I also scored an OG edelbrock DS 495 a few months back and she looks awesome I am also wondering if the little water hose between the water neck and top of the timing cover is necessary?

 

The power steering upgrade with the 57 timing cover and p/s set up is coming along well and everything seems like it’s gonna fit. Gonna have to put a spacer on my crank pulley bc the 341 didn’t come with one and my 276 one doesn’t line up right but I’ll make it work