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Dave's 1957 Fireflite Sedan Jump to page : 1 2 3 4 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | I'll start posting my pictures to as I dig into thecar (harmonic.JPG) (freezeplugs.JPG) (oilpan.JPG) Attachments ---------------- harmonic.JPG (134KB - 526 downloads) freezeplugs.JPG (162KB - 527 downloads) oilpan.JPG (135KB - 509 downloads) | ||
miquelonbrad |
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Expert Posts: 1737 Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Hmmm...new frost plugs. Has the engine been gone through? | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | According to the receipts the engine was rebuilt in 1997. It appears to have less than 100 miles on it since then. Dave | ||
KcImperial |
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Expert Posts: 2490 Location: Kansas City, KS | Great looking car, Dave. Congrats! It's strange how you keep starting with a hardtop and but then end up with a sedan. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Thanks. I actually do like the look of the aluminum door frame sedans. LOTS of glass. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Got all the way down to the power seat troughs. Whew. I'm feeling really, really fortunate about the condition of the floors. Once I have the floors cleaned up I'll be installing the new carpet. No luck posting pictures. I'll try again later. Edited by macedon 2015-08-02 9:22 AM | ||
d500neil |
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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 | Nice 'going' Dave! I like the More-Door models, mucho! They are a sort of Devil-may-care car, nowadays! How does your car's power seat operate? Thanks to the recent generosity of website member Gregcon, I've acquired and/or have rebuilt a power seat, and would like to Pay-it-Forward, to a worthy person, in Re; those spare parts' availability to a needy restorer. | ||
Beltran |
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Expert Posts: 1730 Location: Michigan | Dave. Make sure the cam is broken in properly. I am tearing apart a 273 V8 out of a 66 cuda because the previous owner said that it was drive home after the rebuild then parked. Well. .the cam was never broke in to the lifters and it ate the cam with less than 100 miles 'since the rebuild'. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Power seat is kinda jumpy. Might just be the switch. Not sure yet. I've got the entire assembly on my bench for cleaning, lube and test. Hopefully all goes well. OK, pics are uploading now. As you can see there is no rust in the power seat troughs. I'm very lucky. So far the only real rust I've found is on the passenger side. Leaky water valve caused some problems. I'll cut out about a 1 inch by 2 inch area near the forward frame bolt. Other than that I'm going with Por-15 and then Herculiner. Edited by macedon 2015-08-02 9:19 AM (trough.JPG) (trough2.JPG) Attachments ---------------- trough.JPG (242KB - 532 downloads) trough2.JPG (245KB - 523 downloads) | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Did a little refresh work on the headlight doors. (rightold.JPG) (leftold.JPG) (drivernew.JPG) (rightnew.JPG) (frontnew.JPG) Attachments ---------------- rightold.JPG (137KB - 511 downloads) leftold.JPG (106KB - 514 downloads) drivernew.JPG (72KB - 518 downloads) rightnew.JPG (55KB - 542 downloads) frontnew.JPG (73KB - 517 downloads) | ||
d500neil |
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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 | I'm curious about which style of power seat control switches your car has in it (you gotta check the switch, internally). The switch will need a cleaning and lub'ing, if it is untouched, original, anyway. One , later, style is more mechanically advanced, internally ...looks the same, externally, as the earlier version. Edited by d500neil 2015-08-18 11:16 PM | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13049 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | What a nice car with lot of potential Dave - the engine does not have any leaks as it seems and the floorboards are another nice surprise | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Doesn't look half bad actually. I'll clean up the contacts and lube the rocker switches. Yet another reason I love old cars... electrical components that I can actually work on. (pwrseatswitch1.JPG) (pwrseatswitch2.JPG) Attachments ---------------- pwrseatswitch1.JPG (112KB - 512 downloads) pwrseatswitch2.JPG (113KB - 501 downloads) | ||
d500neil |
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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 | Not too bad, there! Here's some pics of the First Generation (like your car) and the improved-design Second Generation of the power seat control. You need, carefully, to rub-off the electrical contact-corrosion inside the switch, to improve its operation. Looks like its contact points are in GOOD condition (as opposed to my examples. (PICT3164-C.JPG) (PICT3183.JPG) (PICT3164-A.JPG) (PICT3164-B.JPG) (PICT3172.JPG) Attachments ---------------- PICT3164-C.JPG (106KB - 528 downloads) PICT3183.JPG (53KB - 512 downloads) PICT3164-A.JPG (108KB - 497 downloads) PICT3164-B.JPG (97KB - 522 downloads) PICT3172.JPG (74KB - 528 downloads) | ||
60 Imp |
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Location: North Australia | macedon - 2015-08-19 7:41 PM Doesn't look half bad actually. I'll clean up the contacts and lube the rocker switches. Yet another reason I love old cars... electrical components that I can actually work on. I am hearing you on the electrics! (I am a fitter and Turner). The power switch back panel pics are cool, never seen a circuit board like that. Flattened copper wire, unreal Your car looks to be in very similar condition as my Imperial was when I got it in 2010. Looks like you are doing a great job, keep the pics coming, it's a buzz watching the progress of these cars as they come back to life. And it's a 57 Desoto! When will you drive it ? Steve. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Thanks. I drove it three times in July. Then I pulled the seats and carpet out. I'm almost done with the floors. There wasn't much to do. Couple of small rust issues from a leaky water valve. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Power seat switch serviced and reassembled. Bench tested the power seat mechanism and it worked like a champion. I have a question though... the switch was not installed on the seat when I got the car. So does anyone know... the switch toggle has ridges on one side only. Do they face up or down? (switch.JPG) Attachments ---------------- switch.JPG (36KB - 530 downloads) | ||
1957sotos |
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Regular Posts: 65 | Hi Dave, I have a similar car and my switch has the ridges facing up. Mine also operates jumpy. Also, the red power feed under the carpet gets chafed easily because of the routing. I noticed that your center plastic hood medallion looks new. Is it original? I have a Fireflite sedan and a Firedome 4dr hdtp and both are cracked and separating. Looks like a fine original car you have there. Perry of Pa. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Hey Perry, Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. The hood emblem is new. I got it from a guy named George Laurie who lives in Australia. Not sure if he still makes them. Post pictures of your cars when you get a chance. | ||
57desoto |
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Expert Posts: 1488 Location: New Castle PA | Hi, Perry. Always wanted to meet you, but never seem to be in your part of the state when there's a show. Yes, George Laurie and Emblemagic are the 2 sources for the hood emblem. I have contact information for each if you need it. Your cars look nice (I have several pictures in my collection from various shows you've attended). Maybe see you next year at the NDC show near Baltimore. | ||
1957sotos |
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Regular Posts: 65 | Dave, Sorry, but haven't figured out pictures yet. I am curious where you ordered your carpet from. Most suppliers only carry carpet for 2 doors. I did manage to find mine at Newark Supply. Ed, I thought I would see you at Carlisle this year. I've had the only 57 Desoto there the last 5 years. Perry | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Got the carpet from Factory OEM Parts. Very happy with it. Heel pad is not exactly like original but close. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Checking how things fit and look. Not all together yet. Seat was recovered some time before I got it. Not horrible... it will do until I get the original materials. (fit.JPG) Attachments ---------------- fit.JPG (83KB - 511 downloads) | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Plunking away... making some progress. And a couple of before pictures. Edited by macedon 2017-04-07 3:26 PM (april7a.JPG) (beforea.JPG) (beforeb.JPG) Attachments ---------------- april7a.JPG (200KB - 469 downloads) beforea.JPG (102KB - 455 downloads) beforeb.JPG (130KB - 464 downloads) | ||
bbrasse1 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 537 Location: Upstate NY | Wow! Great job! Your steering wheel is in amazingly good condition. Who did your dash? Keep sending the pictures. You have quite a car. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Rear view mirror back in today (rv.JPG) Attachments ---------------- rv.JPG (126KB - 476 downloads) | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Finally! I got the dash back together. Took much longer than I had hoped. Partly because I'm picky. But now I have a fresh wiring harness and all the lights, gauges, switches, radio, clock, etc have been gone through. Everything works. Absolutely everything. Even the stupid lighters that will never get used. (dashjul17.JPG) (clock.JPG) (dark1.JPG) Attachments ---------------- dashjul17.JPG (182KB - 452 downloads) clock.JPG (137KB - 442 downloads) dark1.JPG (66KB - 430 downloads) | ||
57desoto |
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Expert Posts: 1488 Location: New Castle PA | Very nice! I don't think I've ever seen a pushbutton surround like that on the glovebox door. Was that an accessory of some sort? | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | While I do have a great bit of paperwork on this car there is no mention of this. It is actually pretty slick and functional. You just hook the side of your index finger under the bottom lip and push the button with your thumb. Gives you total control of the door, both pulling and pushing. You can control the pressure just right as you close the door to get the latch to catch nicely. Neat little add. It must have been fairly specific to this application. You can see in the pictures that it uses the original mounting holes. You just have to drill them out through the face of the door to mount. (glovebuttonsurround.JPG) (glovebuttonsurround2.JPG) (glovebuttonsurround3.JPG) (glovebuttonsurround4.JPG) Attachments ---------------- glovebuttonsurround.JPG (25KB - 437 downloads) glovebuttonsurround2.JPG (37KB - 437 downloads) glovebuttonsurround3.JPG (57KB - 439 downloads) glovebuttonsurround4.JPG (61KB - 440 downloads) | ||
ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4042 Location: Connecticut | That glovebox lock assembly is used on 59 Dodge. Not sure about 57-8 Dodge. Ron | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Works like a champ on '57 DeSoto's too | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Many of my DeSotos have had that little hook thing on the knob. My current car has one. Opening the GB door is a PITA without one if there is any resistance in the movement. | ||
billy |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 395 Location: upstate new york | Dave, I have a couple questions....nice pics of the car by the way....The power seat switch....mine came all apart like that also...I think i'm missing a piece inside that keeps it all snug in the switch...do you have a diagram or pictures of the mechanism? Is there a spacer piece that keeps the black plastic box, the circuit board all snug inside the casting??? Also where did you get you carpet from? I need 1 for my 57 New Yorker.... Thanks, billy | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Been putting this off for too long. BTW... this was the good side. The other side had a very leaky wheel cylinder. It was really ugly, but I forgot to take a picture. Not sure how that chunk of shoe came off. Edited by macedon 2017-12-05 2:14 PM (brakeb4.JPG) (brakeafter.JPG) (missing.JPG) Attachments ---------------- brakeb4.JPG (82KB - 438 downloads) brakeafter.JPG (82KB - 434 downloads) missing.JPG (58KB - 423 downloads) | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Restored a set of Texas 57 plates for the sedan. (tx57.JPG) Attachments ---------------- tx57.JPG (110KB - 414 downloads) | ||
ToMopar |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1159 Location: D-70199 Heslach | It look very good with the time correct numberplates | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | Your Desoto is looking great! | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Thanks... making progress, however slight. Plan to drive it till the fall and then get it ready for a re-spray. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Working the rear glass stainless trim. Top piece had a pretty good dent on the edge. It was in a tough spot to work on, but I got a decent result I think. (trimbefore.JPG) (trimafter.JPG) Attachments ---------------- trimbefore.JPG (36KB - 404 downloads) trimafter.JPG (74KB - 416 downloads) | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9670 Location: So. Cal | Nice job. How did you manage to do it? I like to use wood objects to pound on these but it isn't always easy to figure out how to do it well. | ||
bbrasse1 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 537 Location: Upstate NY | I agree! Really nice work. I also would like to know the technique. What did you use? | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Worked from the backside of the trim with the face flush against wood. Worked the spoon north-south and east-west as I struck the back. That got it popped back out pretty nice. Then sand and polish. (tools.JPG) (spoon.JPG) Attachments ---------------- tools.JPG (70KB - 408 downloads) spoon.JPG (77KB - 427 downloads) | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9670 Location: So. Cal | You have great coordination with the camera! I'm not sure if I could have taken that last shot. Thanks for the great explanation. | ||
bbrasse1 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 537 Location: Upstate NY | Yes, thanks for your pictures. I have some stainless to fix. I at least see I need to buy a spoon. I hope mine comes out like yours! | ||
JoeyAlvin58 |
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Veteran Posts: 164 Location: Alvin, Texas | Nice work on the trim! There is some videos on YouTube as well. Check out the car in the back ground. https://youtu.be/Ft41IG2BAG8 I hope the link works. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Excellent video. Of course the 57 is red and white. | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | There... much better. Now have a matched pair of 57 Dagmars. Thanks Danny. I have a really nice 58 driver's side for sale or trade now. I'll list it in the parts section. (matched.JPG) Attachments ---------------- matched.JPG (112KB - 402 downloads) | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | Looks like it was born there! | ||
macedon |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 963 Location: San Antonio, TX | Today is a little bittersweet. Went for a drive this morning, but I knew it was going to be the last one for a while. Got my painter lined up so now I am going to strip her down. As we all know there's a lot of chrome and stainless to come off. Going with original Sahara Tan and a Mandarin Rust color sweep. Edited by macedon 2018-08-03 11:57 AM (bittersweet.JPG) Attachments ---------------- bittersweet.JPG (134KB - 389 downloads) | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9670 Location: So. Cal | Should be fun. Are you going to keep the same color scheme or change it up a little? | ||
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