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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | If John ("big m") is able to fend off a scavenger or three, you'll be gazing at the proud new owner of a solid 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Cornado 4 door sedan by then.
From here on out, my every spare penny will be going towards her purchase. No rainy day slouching, no impulse to the reflexes and all my trousers will henceforth be fitted with asbestos pockets. 
I'm even going as far as to cancel out on the reunion for her. I'm diving head first into her and I ain't gonna come up for breath until she does.  John, man, you've really made my year, guy. I can't thank you enough or put into words how much I appreciate your assurance and willingness to fend off the scavengers for me (he's apparently already done it - some cat came along and wanted to snag the engine and he'd have NONE OF IT!).
I won't let you down, John. It may take me a little longer, maybe a little shorter, but rest assured: I. Will. Give. Her. A. New. Home. And a darn loving one at that.
Here's my mods list so far:
12V system
Make her an unleaded runner
Otherwise, aside from the usual details that go along with getting her road-worthy, light cosmetics and that's it. She'll be a daily driver for me.
Can y'all tell I'm pumped?  |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
 
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | Congratulations MARK.. And goodluck saving the Pennies, looks like you are gonna have to ask Dave to change your User Name , LOL |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Rebels-59 Coronet - 2007-12-08 3:23 PM
Congratulations MARK.. And goodluck saving the Pennies, looks like you are gonna have to ask Dave to change your User Name , LOL
Thanks, Clive. If I was working with anyone else but John, I doubt it'd be possible. Got lots to save, but she'll be worth every bowl of Ramen I stomach - and then some.
Already PMed Dave about the moniker change - if he gives the ok, I'll be known henceforth as "1955Coronado". |
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Location: buchanan,Ga. | Good luck with obtaining your car,that's really nice of big m! Not too many would do that in this day and age.My very first F.L mopar i bought that way way back in the early 80's...from a uphostery shop she was sitting rotting away in the back lot along a fence line in S'port LA. a 1956 ply. bevie. But when the Christine Craze hit i was looking for parts for the 56 and ran up on a 57 so i traded the guy trade for trade.... which in turn i lost because she got stolen later that summer and have never seen her since...so that is why i truely treasure my 58 2 door h.t. chrysler that i have now. Even tho like you i have to save up to restore her in stages...but i am so proud even how she sits rt. now because i can see really how differant she looks from the time i got her.I can't wait till i get to show her at the local cruises she'll be the sec. only forward looker around here and the only 57-59 big fin one..So what colors do you have in mind for yours? Are you going to keep her all factory ? Keep us posted of your ideals and post some photos if you have any at this point from big m. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | agirlandher58 - 2007-12-16 9:46 AM
Good luck with obtaining your car,that's really nice of big m! Not too many would do that in this day and age.My very first F.L mopar i bought that way way back in the early 80's...from a uphostery shop she was sitting rotting away in the back lot along a fence line in S'port LA. a 1956 ply. bevie. But when the Christine Craze hit i was looking for parts for the 56 and ran up on a 57 so i traded the guy trade for trade.... which in turn i lost because she got stolen later that summer and have never seen her since...so that is why i truely treasure my 58 2 door h.t. chrysler that i have now. Even tho like you i have to save up to restore her in stages...but i am so proud even how she sits rt. now because i can see really how differant she looks from the time i got her.I can't wait till i get to show her at the local cruises she'll be the sec. only forward looker around here and the only 57-59 big fin one..So what colors do you have in mind for yours? Are you going to keep her all factory ? Keep us posted of your ideals and post some photos if you have any at this point from big m.
Thanks, Teffany!
Yep - except for changing her over to 12V, prepping her for unleaded running, electronic ignition (distributor included) and a few other little tweaks (maybe A/C down the road - definitely gonna get rid of the generator in favor of an alternator - maybe a few little performance tweaks to boost her 200hp a bit), she's gonna be stock all the way. I believe John stated that the previous owner had the 291 cid hemi rebuilt, then lost his driving privileges 3-4 months later. The engine still turns and John's gonna try to get her running sometime down the road.
Except for some VERY minor bubbling along the lower 1/4's, her body is otherwise rust free. The driver's floor has rust through (John thinks it's a minor windshield leak) and the passenger rear floor looks a bit weak, but other than that, the floors are solid - ESPECIALLY the trunk, which is about as good as I've ever seen from a car left outdoors. According to John, all the chrome and brightwork are pit free and excellent.
The general interior on the other hand looks like it might've been a natural greenhouse in its southern Oregon clime - mildew/mold everywhere, including the steering wheel. The seats are intact - especially the back seat, with plenty of stains, but not a rip in her turquoise cloth over white leather upholstery - but the door panels look to be toast. I've yet to see any close-up pics of the panels as well as the headliner.
Colors? Well, the defining characteristic of the "spring special" Coronado option on a '55 DeSoto Fireflite is the tri-tone paint job of turquoise, black and white - in any way the orderer saw fit. Some were painted turquoise body, black sweep, white roof. Others were painted white body, turquoise sweep, black roof. But most of the 487 Coronados that were made were painted like "mine" (can't rightfully call her mine just yet) - turquoise body, white sweep, black roof - and she's going to remain just the same.
Here's some pics of when John rescued her - along with 4 other DeSotos - fresh from southern Oregon. It was with the first two pics that I was absolutely smitten with her.  The last two pics are of when John did nothing more than give her a soap and scrub:
 ('55 Desoto 006[1].jpg)
 ('55 Desoto 007.jpg)
 ('55 Desoto 002.jpg)
 ('55 Desoto Coronado.jpg)
Attachments
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 '55 Desoto 006[1].jpg (32KB - 177 downloads)
'55 Desoto 007.jpg (29KB - 195 downloads)
'55 Desoto 002.jpg (30KB - 184 downloads)
'55 Desoto Coronado.jpg (59KB - 190 downloads)
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Location: Lemoore CA | Congratulations! That is one of my favorite colors for any 50's car. |
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Posts: 1918
Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | And she has 3 colors to choose from.
Thanks, James. |
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Location: Chippewa Lake, OH | Great car! She will be a beauty when you get some nice wide whitewalls on her to really show off that color scheme! |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Thanks, Steve.
Been pondering whether to see about hitting Brent ("Doctor DeSoto") up on one of his surplus sets of Kelsey's for her in the future - she'd REALLY look like a knockout with those babies. But, she has all 4 of her original wheel covers just incase. It may take me a few years to put the finishing touches on her, but rest assured though, she'll be dressed up proper either way.
Edited by 1959Fury 2007-12-16 9:49 PM
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Location: buchanan,Ga. | Man she really cleaned up good! Hope it works out for you...the way you talk about the car.It would surely have a good home. Keep us posted... |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | What's also gonna be amazing, is how quiet & solid she's going to ride! Can you say "bank vault" ?
An aftermarket (or even OEM-retrofitted!) air conditioner would be sweet.
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Location: Ripon, WI | In a couple days.... I am hoping to be finned again as well... add 1 year to yours, and it is what I am pursuing. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | agirlandher58 - 2007-12-27 7:10 PM
Man she really cleaned up good! Hope it works out for you...the way you talk about the car.It would surely have a good home. Keep us posted...
Thanks, Teffany.
Just call me Arnie - that's how bowled over I was/am with this beauty. She's definitely going to a loving home, THAT I can guarantee.
I've got $254 in the till for her so far (working part-time, thanks mostly to a bum and creaky back), so keep your fingers crossed for me - it's gonna be a long and tough row to hoe, but at this rate, unless some catastrophe leaps over me, I should have the dough by early 2009.
She's really got soul, Teffany - I can feel it. Can't really explain it, but I don't think any car's won me over so completely like this. Love at first sight? You bet! But it's something more, it's got to be. Yeah, I'm starry-eyed over her, to say the least..... |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | d500neil - 2007-12-27 7:38 PM
What's also gonna be amazing, is how quiet & solid she's going to ride! Can you say "bank vault" ?
An aftermarket (or even OEM-retrofitted!) air conditioner would be sweet.
Tell me about it, Neil.
Buddy of mine back in '92 had a '55 Firedome 4 door - kinda rough, but still solid as a rock. She handled curves like a barge in moderately rough seas, but she was definitely smooth.
A/C is gonna be a bit down the road/further to the back burner when she arrives, but she's gonna have the best. I want to go with slim under dash vents and not the under dash unit - don't want to take away any leg room in the middle. Vintage air would probably be best for what I want.
But, to begin with, she's gonna get roadworthy and floors (front driver & rear passenger) repaired. John should have more details (and interior photos) in a while..... |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | safetymike77 - 2007-12-27 9:02 PM
In a couple days.... I am hoping to be finned again as well... add 1 year to yours, and it is what I am pursuing.
Whoa!
I've had a long night at work, so I may be reading it a bit wrong, but am I to take it that you're gonna come into a '56 DeSoto, Mike? |
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Location: Ripon, WI | Been working on it... Will post pics if it comes to fruition. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Right on, Mike!
So, what is it 2 door? 4 door? Ragtop? Firedome? Fireflite? Dare I say - Adventurer? |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Mark, the 55 (and 56?) A/c's were trunk-installed beasts, and you may need to get those neat quarter panel " air-snorkels" too,
and the parcel-shelf ducts, but, I'll bet, that there is a complete unit/car sitting 'out there', somewhere, waiting for you!
I guess my point is that an OEM assembly would not take up under-dash space, and might be kind-of easy to install (once the
quarters are carefully cut, to receive the "snorkles". All the A/C is delivered from the rear of the car (right?)
The parts hunt/chase is a major part of the fun, of restoration.
I'd start looking for that A/C system now; it will still probably need an overhaul, once you do get it.
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Location: Lemoore CA | Neil, I was thinking the same thing about quality and comfort of the ride. Even though they are on a frame, the 55 and6's I have been around have the solidness of any unibody car. I can just hear and feel the weight of the doors now as they click shut. I'm not knocking the 57-59 cars, but these just seem to ooze quality as far as the build goes. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | d500neil - 2007-12-28 3:52 PM
Mark, the 55 (and 56?) A/c's were trunk-installed beasts, and you may need to get those neat quarter panel " air-snorkels" too,
and the parcel-shelf ducts, but, I'll bet, that there is a complete unit/car sitting 'out there', somewhere, waiting for you!
I guess my point is that an OEM assembly would not take up under-dash space, and might be kind-of easy to install (once the
quarters are carefully cut, to receive the "snorkles". All the A/C is delivered from the rear of the car (right?)
The parts hunt/chase is a major part of the fun, of restoration.
I'd start looking for that A/C system now; it will still probably need an overhaul, once you do get it.
Yeah, I know about the trunk beasts that take up the entire underneath of the back dash, top to bottom. Not gonna get one of those - especially with those rear 1/4 snorkels/intakes being so rare even down here. The A/C's gonna be an entirely new set-up - you don't screw with climate control in the summer (and late spring) around these parts. |
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Location: Slidell La. | Dude , when I bought my 59 back in 01 , I filled er up with unleaded and never looked back . I drove with that poly and 2sp until 06 when the tranny went boom . Never had any problem with running unleaded . I think you may be putting yourself up for an expense that is not necessary . Thats got a lot of miles on it already with leaded gas , so all the valves should be protected . |
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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | Some Hemi engines had hardened steel seat inserts, 55 331 does, if you have a shop manual for your particular year look at the heads/valves section, if you see replacement seat inserts, they are steel and resistant to unleaded. For short trips and average speed and temps, most of the std valve seat engines can usually survive. I had the heads off my 55 NY'er and it had steel seats as the shop manual indicated. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Thanks, fellas.
Folks over at Dave Duricy's "DeSotoland" told me pretty much the same thing - "Wanna prep her for unleaded? Pull up to the gas pump and fill 'er up", thanks to the hardened seats in the hemi (had no idea they were steel, was just told they were hardened), '55 included. Definitely alleviates one worry, as she's gonna be my daily driver once she's fully roadworthy. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | The Dodge Small-boy Hemis do not have hardened (steel-reinforced) valve seats.
A car, like Charlie said, that has a lot of leaded-gas miles on it probably has sufficient lubrication already imbued into the cast iron heads, if you're not pulling a boat, or a heavy load, or racing the car.
Mark, she's your car, but for my "money", and my interest in the hobby, I would go find me a correct A/C unit, and retrofit it to my car.
There's a lot of ownership pride involved in casually pointing out the various OEM options that you've installed, onto your car.
A modern-anything will really stand-out, from the car's originality/appearance.
And initial mistakes/decisions can be regretted, later!
As a minor note, when I first got my car, not knowing any different, I discarded the OEM carpeting (without knowing that the factory's Broadcast Sheet(s) might have been thrown-down under it, so, I never knew to look for them).
I also discarded the oEM rubber trunk mat, thinking that it was not particularly valuable.
I also had the car be repainted, instead of realizing how valuable the original paint condition really was.
So, what I'm saying is: this is a hobby, and part of the fun of any hobby is doing something correctly, for the SAKE of doing something correctly, instead of just "easily'.
Why fly-fish, if you can just use a rod-and-reel, to cast a lure to a fish?
The path to a righteous restoration is not an easy one, but, it is a REWARDING one!
Edited by d500neil 2007-12-31 8:36 PM
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Don't fret about anything else, Neil.
Even if I have to go to SMS to do it - the turquoise cloth over white leather seats, the turquoise cloth over white & black vinyl door panels, black carpet - the entire interior will remain 100% true original, as will the original tri-tone paint job (the defining characteristic of the '55 Coronado) in its original combination and application (white sweep, turquoise body, black roof).
Appearance-wise, outside of a few little A/C vents on the underside of the dash, inside and out, she'll look just like she did when Groucho sent 'em to the showroom during the 8th season of "You Bet Your Life", including her original set of freshly polished wheel covers. She'll retain her original 291 cid, 200 hp hemi (does that qualify as a "small boy"?) and, thanks to a source of Jay's ("jsrail"), she'll even retain her original generator/power steering combo.
Of course, I've indeed toyed in the past with equipping my car with every factory option I can get hold of that's correct to the model year (I'm still considering equipping the Coronado with power windows to compliment its original 4-way power seat), but things like the A/C is something I'm not willing to toy with - at all - as well as the cooling system in general. Now, if a decent trunk A/C with "snorkels"/facory compressor/condenser fell into my lap, I'd seriously consider tossing it into her, but, outside of Bo Malefors, I really don't have the resources (or spare/disposable $$$) to go hunting for one. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Well, Mark, the most important part of any restoration, is the synchronized, organized planning for the work to be done, and to get the required parts prior to doing the work.
Although the car may be(come) driveable, after you get it, I would plan on buying EVERY suspension component/bearing/seal/U-joint/brakes etcetcetc...for the car, and then have the undercarriage/frame rails be sand-blasted and refinished right-before the overhauled suspension stuff is reinstalled.
Get the undercarriage/driveline stuff overhauled first, then, you can concentrate on doing the painting (maybe) and the interior-gauges/stuff.
Following this logical (if un-glamorous) protocol means that your car is safely and efficiently driveable, and you have plenty of time to acquire all the miscellaneous/sundry glamorous/finish parts that you'll need (like that OEM A/C unit, or a set of new gauges, or OEM headliner, or whatever else you need/find!)
Probably, the first things that you'll need to have done is a brake service, with new wheel cylinders and brake hoses and a master cylinder, so I would go find/buy them guys, right now.
Edited by d500neil 2008-01-02 6:47 PM
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Location: Seville, OH | I have read in several articles (I'll post one if I come across it) that Chrysler began induction hardening valve seats sometime in the fifties and while this isn't as good as hardened steel inserts, it is plenty good for unleaded fuel. I have never done any modifications to any engine to account for unleaded fuel and have never had a problem. |
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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | Correct, any Mopar engine particularly Chrysler Hemi's, if they have replaceable valve seats they are steel inserts and do not need to be updated for unleaded. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | Swept57 - 2008-01-03 12:12 AM
I have read in several articles (I'll post one if I come across it) that Chrysler began induction hardening valve seats sometime in the fifties and while this isn't as good as hardened steel inserts, it is plenty good for unleaded fuel. I have never done any modifications to any engine to account for unleaded fuel and have never had a problem.
I would be interested to Read that Article.. My Dodge and Chrysler are both 59,s And Don,t do a Huge amount of Miles per year.. so would like to know if i could get away with just adjusting the timing to Run unleaded.........
Engines..
326 cu-in
383 cu-in |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | d500neil - 2008-01-02 4:46 PM
Well, Mark, the most important part of any restoration, is the synchronized, organized planning for the work to be done, and to get the required parts prior to doing the work.
Although the car may be(come) driveable, after you get it, I would plan on buying EVERY suspension component/bearing/seal/U-joint/brakes etcetcetc...for the car, and then have the undercarriage/frame rails be sand-blasted and refinished right-before the overhauled suspension stuff is reinstalled.
Get the undercarriage/driveline stuff overhauled first, then, you can concentrate on doing the painting (maybe) and the interior-gauges/stuff.
Following this logical (if un-glamorous) protocol means that your car is safely and efficiently driveable, and you have plenty of time to acquire all the miscellaneous/sundry glamorous/finish parts that you'll need (like that OEM A/C unit, or a set of new gauges, or OEM headliner, or whatever else you need/find!)
Probably, the first things that you'll need to have done is a brake service, with new wheel cylinders and brake hoses and a master cylinder, so I would go find/buy them guys, right now.
Right with ya, Neil.
As I noted earlier, the first thing I'll be doing is getting her roadworthy (including re-wiring and floor repair before she's driven one single mile) and safe. Although she may be running when she arrives in my driveway, there's absolutely no way - after sitting for around a decade - I would consider her roadworthy in any sense or at any stretch. When I say "roadworthy", I'm talking regular 75-85 mph freeway speeds without pulling, rattling, shimmies, rumbles, overheating etc. Like I said earlier, she's going to (eventually) be my daily driver and I'm not about to put my life on the line for the sake of looks.
The cosmetics will come after - and ONLY after - that is accomplished, especially with such a solid exterior. She won't be off the frame unless serious structural issues come up. In my previous post on the subject, I was mainly trying to assure you that the Coronado - outside of the 12V system, A/C, radial wide whites and maybe an electronic ignition - will remain "untouched"/100% stock original. |
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Location: Seville, OH | Shep - 2008-01-02 4:18 PM
Correct, any Mopar engine particularly Chrysler Hemi's, if they have replaceable valve seats they are steel inserts and do not need to be updated for unleaded.
I am saying that even if they don't have inserts, they are OK since the cast iron in the region of the valve seat was induction hardened. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Swept57 - 2008-01-02 5:12 PM
I have read in several articles (I'll post one if I come across it) that Chrysler began induction hardening valve seats sometime in the fifties and while this isn't as good as hardened steel inserts, it is plenty good for unleaded fuel. I have never done any modifications to any engine to account for unleaded fuel and have never had a problem.
Thanks, David. I'd hope they (seats) will hold up to regular/daily driving.
Edited by 1959Fury 2008-01-02 7:43 PM
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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | The issue of the timing is only going to prevent pinging/detonation, which is based on your compression and fuel quality. My 59 Coronet 326 has 9.25:1, I run 89 octane with lead additive about 5 oz per 10 gallons. The 59 Chrysler is a B block they do not have hardened seats, nor does the the 326. Again, driven moderately for short hauls/ low load, you probably can get away with it, but for the cost of the additive why chance it. I have the real tetraethyl lead, no longer available ( legally). They do make substitute stuff readily available, 3.00 for a 20 gallon treatment. |
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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | Swept57 - 2008-01-02 7:41 PM
Shep - 2008-01-02 4:18 PM
Correct, any Mopar engine particularly Chrysler Hemi's, if they have replaceable valve seats they are steel inserts and do not need to be updated for unleaded.
I am saying that even if they don't have inserts, they are OK since the cast iron in the region of the valve seat was induction hardened. |
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Inactive by user's request
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | Hank and I are currently investigating this for the rebuilding of my DeSoto 330.
One of us can post what we find out.
K. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | A DeSoto 330 should have hardened valve seats.
The Dodge Hemis (and the early B-blocks, too?) did not have them.
Any competent (and litigation-wary) engine rebuilder will talk you into installing them, when/if you have any head-repair work
done, as they did to/for me, last year, even though there was no actual head-valve recission damage, on my car's heads.
It's just stupid NOT to have that work-upgrade be done, since the heads are already "on" the work bench!
But, in all probability, there is no compelling reason to remove the heads JUST to install hardened valve seats.
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Location: Seville, OH | I will dig into my library and find the article(s). But it should be noted that the induction hardening process does not go very deep into the cast iron so if the valve seats have been reground on induction hardened heads, the hardening is probably gone.
I agree with Neil, don't take a good running engine apart to install seats. But if they're on the bench....
Dave |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Alright, so which is it, fellas? To harden or not to harden?
We're talking a 1955 DeSoto 291 cid hemi..... |
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Location: Seville, OH | I think that if the motor is not frozen and you get it running without having to break it apart, don't bother with the seats. If you have to pull the heads, install the seats. |
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Inactive by user's request
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | d500neil - 2008-01-02 5:35 PM
It's just stupid NOT to have that work-upgrade be done, since the heads are already "on" the work bench!
Amen....if you're spending $$$$ on a complete rebuild and plan on driving the car, there is no compelling reason to skip this step.
K. |
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Inactive by user's request
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | d500neil - 2008-01-02 5:35 PM
A DeSoto 330 should have hardened valve seats.
We'll know for sure, shortly.
K. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Swept57 - 2008-01-02 10:19 PM
I think that if the motor is not frozen and you get it running without having to break it apart, don't bother with the seats. If you have to pull the heads, install the seats.
Alright. We'll see how she's running/if she's running when the time comes. |
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Location: Seville, OH | Just be sure to follow all the recommended practices for starting a long-dormant engine. |
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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Well, John said he'd try to get her running before she left, but I couldn't blame him if he didn't/couldn't.
She was apparently rebuilt by the previous owner, driven for around 3-4 months, then parked due to the man losing his driving privileges. It then sat for around a decade until he passed. Then, the man's nephew came thisclose to sending the Coronado and 4 other DeSotos on the property to the crusher when John swooped in and the rest is history.
That said, if she isn't running when she arrives, she's gonna get soaked before I do anything. Unfortunately, I've never had to deal with an engine that's sat this long - and have never had the privilege of messing with a hemi. |
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Expert
Posts: 1622
Location: Seville, OH | I am in a similar situation. I pulled a 55 DeSoto from my neighbors yard. I drove by his house for two years and didn't know it was there. An acquaintance told me about it so when I asked my neighbor about he said get it out of my yard and it's yours. It ran when it was parked but that was over twenty years ago. I am going to start on loosening the engine this wekend.
Dave |
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Expert
Posts: 1918
Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Well, John said the Coronado's engine turns at this point, so that's obviously a major plus. And, from the appearance, aside from a decade's worth of dust, water streams and surface rust on the genie/pulleys, the engine is REALLY clean - see below.
So you snagged a '55 DeSoto yourself? What model & body style is it?
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'55 Coronado engine bay.jpg (42KB - 182 downloads)
'55 Coronado engine bay 2.jpg (31KB - 158 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 1622
Location: Seville, OH | It's a Firedome 4-door sedan. It is a very solid car but some hooligans broke some of the windows so the interior is a bit toasted. If I can't get it to run, I will probably part it out. |
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Expert
Posts: 3399
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | All you need to find out if your engine has the hardened valve seats which was the exhaust only, is look in the shop manual and you will see the seat replacement procedure, if none than the seats are cast in the heads. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | d500neil - 2008-01-03 1:35 AM
A DeSoto 330 should have hardened valve seats.
The Dodge Hemis (and the early B-blocks, too?) did not have them.
Any competent (and litigation-wary) engine rebuilder will talk you into installing them, when/if you have any head-repair work
done, as they did to/for me, last year, even though there was no actual head-valve recission damage, on my car's heads.
It's just stupid NOT to have that work-upgrade be done, since the heads are already "on" the work bench!
But, in all probability, there is no compelling reason to remove the heads JUST to install hardened valve seats.
These are Some PIC,s that Neil sent to have Posted.. ......................
You can say that these pics show my car's recent head work, with
installation of hardened valve seats.
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PICT1.jpg (105KB - 189 downloads)
PICT2.jpg (103KB - 170 downloads)
PICT3.jpg (112KB - 171 downloads)
PICT4.jpg (111KB - 170 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | ....
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PICT5.jpg (106KB - 170 downloads)
PICT6.jpg (58KB - 168 downloads)
PICT7.jpg (53KB - 168 downloads)
PICT8.jpg (104KB - 171 downloads)
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God willing, count me in as a FLer in 2009!!!
