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my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible
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Viper Guy
Posted 2017-09-26 11:00 PM (#549236 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: Branson, MO
e-Bay seems to always have '57 stock wheel covers for sale. Prices are all over the place though but some I have seen look to be like new.

Your car sure looks good - maybe you will have it in Branson, MO next August for the National DeSoto Club convention. Yes, yes, yes?





Edited by Viper Guy 2017-09-26 11:03 PM
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57desoto
Posted 2017-09-27 5:57 AM (#549243 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Doug, although I have taken the time and painstakingly painted the letters on the spark plug covers, and they can look nice if done well, what I recommend now is just buying a set of decals. They pop right into the letter recess and are straight and sharp-edged -- nicer than any painting I've done. Several sites sell them, and they show up all the time on Ebay.

GREAT work on everything you've done.
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60 Imp
Posted 2017-09-27 6:42 AM (#549244 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: RE: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible


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Location: North Australia
She's looking good Doug.

I went with silicone fluid in my 60 Imperial (rebuilt with all standard parts) and am very happy with the performance. One thing to consider is change to a pedal arm brake light switch as the original master cylinder switches are know to leak the silicone. Perfect time if you are upgrading the electrics. The headlights coming on with the brakes is a ripper!

ps, the threads like this one showing guys rebuilding their cars is my favorite topic. Your car and your workmanship are exceptional, thanks for taking the time to share the pictures. Should this thread be in the members rides forum with the other rebuilds ??

Your workshop also looks awesome!

Steve.

Edited by 60 Imp 2017-09-27 6:49 AM
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57burb
Posted 2017-09-27 10:58 AM (#549263 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: RE: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: DFW, TX
You are doing a beautiful job. That car was a really nice one to start with. It has cleaned up very nicely with mostly elbow grease and basic service parts!

The letters are fairly easy to detail with paint. I would not recommend attempting it with a brush. There is a lot of opportunity for error with all those letters!

Make certain the wire covers are painted with a catalyzed paint. You may need to apply a clear coat over what is there.

Once that paint is cured, mask up everything except the general area of the letters. You don't need to mask each letter individually, but you don't want to get paint down into the screw mounting areas.

Paint the letters the color you want them. After that color has dried, remove the masking tape. Take a lint-free rag with some paint thinner on it, and wipe away the new paint from the wire cover. Do this carefully and you will have sharp, crisp edges around each letter.

It's important that the base be catalyzed, or else you will be wiping it off with thinner too!

This example was done quickly to give someone else an idea of the technique. You can get your edges much sharper with patience. This also works with license plates. Just keep in mind that the color on the raised surfaces needs to be painted first.



(paint001-2.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-09-27 3:53 PM (#549290 - in reply to #549244)
Subject: RE: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
60 Imp - 2017-09-27 3:42 AM

She's looking good Doug.

I went with silicone fluid in my 60 Imperial (rebuilt with all standard parts) and am very happy with the performance. One thing to consider is change to a pedal arm brake light switch as the original master cylinder switches are know to leak the silicone. Perfect time if you are upgrading the electrics.

Your workshop also looks awesome!

Steve.


Thanks Steve. I've been using the silicone brake fluid for years and love it. Only problem is that it always kills those brake light switches so you have to go to a mechanical switch.
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dlyle
Posted 2017-09-27 3:57 PM (#549291 - in reply to #549263)
Subject: RE: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
57burb - 2017-09-27 7:58 AM

You are doing a beautiful job. That car was a really nice one to start with. It has cleaned up very nicely with mostly elbow grease and basic service parts!

The letters are fairly easy to detail with paint. I would not recommend attempting it with a brush. There is a lot of opportunity for error with all those letters!

Make certain the wire covers are painted with a catalyzed paint. You may need to apply a clear coat over what is there.

Once that paint is cured, mask up everything except the general area of the letters. You don't need to mask each letter individually, but you don't want to get paint down into the screw mounting areas.

Paint the letters the color you want them. After that color has dried, remove the masking tape. Take a lint-free rag with some paint thinner on it, and wipe away the new paint from the wire cover. Do this carefully and you will have sharp, crisp edges around each letter.

It's important that the base be catalyzed, or else you will be wiping it off with thinner too!

This example was done quickly to give someone else an idea of the technique. You can get your edges much sharper with patience. This also works with license plates. Just keep in mind that the color on the raised surfaces needs to be painted first.



Your letters look great. I've used that method too and have had great results. I often do it by hand with a brush like on these covers for my Hillman. These were painted and then clear coated.

For my Desoto the valve covers need to come off first so I can bead blast and then paint or powder coat.





(IMG_5585 (2) (1024x768).jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-09-27 4:01 PM (#549292 - in reply to #549243)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
57desoto - 2017-09-27 2:57 AM

Doug, although I have taken the time and painstakingly painted the letters on the spark plug covers, and they can look nice if done well, what I recommend now is just buying a set of decals. They pop right into the letter recess and are straight and sharp-edged -- nicer than any painting I've done. Several sites sell them, and they show up all the time on Ebay.

GREAT work on everything you've done.


Thanks for the tip Ed. I tried finding those stickers for my 392 but never did. I'd much rather do the stickers if I can find them.
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dlyle
Posted 2017-09-27 4:05 PM (#549293 - in reply to #549236)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Viper Guy - 2017-09-26 8:00 PM

e-Bay seems to always have '57 stock wheel covers for sale. Prices are all over the place though but some I have seen look to be like new.

Your car sure looks good - maybe you will have it in Branson, MO next August for the National DeSoto Club convention. Yes, yes, yes?




Ive been searching ebay for covers. No shortage of them on there so hopefully can uncover some good caps.
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dlyle
Posted 2017-10-13 6:15 PM (#550253 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Making a little progress with the wiring. I now have working turn signals on the right side and the rear signal on the left side. No indicator or front left so I'll need to sort that out. All the parking lights work and the dash lights do too.

The parking brake light had been MIA but I found it back behind the kick panel put a bulb in it and it works now. The map light doesn't work so will spend some time on that. I need to work on the courtesy lights too. Both are missing sockets and wiring.

I got the brake lights working too and now the headlights don't come on when using the brakes. I had to fiddle with the wiring and replace the brake light switch. I'm using Dot 5 silicone fluid so it killed the old switch right away. The new switch claims to be silicone compatible so we'll see. It's from Ron Francis part number SW-32. If it fails I'll fab a mechanical switch.

Edited by dlyle 2017-10-13 6:21 PM




(brake switch.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 5:24 PM (#551739 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Still working on the wiring. Have just about everything working. The courtesy lights and the map light were a challenge. The switches to both were corroded so I had to clean the contacts to get them to work. The ground lead to both courtesy lights was MIA so had to swap in another set of lights. No the courtesy and map lights come on when you open the door or when you do the switches for either.

Still need to figure out the front left turn signal and dash indicator light. Will have to get in to the column switch to see what's going on.

This is just a sampling of the extra wire that came out of the car. They had a rear speaker and a 2 volt lead to the power seat that was routed to the trunk for what I assume was trailer wiring.



(IMG_5712.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 5:28 PM (#551740 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Have the rear and front seats out too. While i was fixing the courtesy lights I took the ash trays apart for cleaning. They came out nice after a rust removal bath.



(IMG_5705.jpg)



(IMG_5706.jpg)



(IMG_5715.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 5:53 PM (#551743 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Here is a quick video of the radio now working. It's now am/fm bluetooth handsfree and all that other jazz. I couldn't just do a am repair as there are no stations that play music where I'm at. You can briefly see the clock is now working again too.

I got the ARC record player for the car fixed too but that will go in at a later date.

https://youtu.be/OOSvAYXUItM

Edited by dlyle 2017-11-06 6:08 PM




(IMG_2153.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 6:00 PM (#551744 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Here is a before and after picture of the ash tray.



(IMG_4908 (500x375) (2).jpg)



(IMG_2178.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 6:04 PM (#551746 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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new courtesy lights. Old ones had no lenses.





(IMG_2181.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 6:20 PM (#551747 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Got my generator fixed. It was converted to an alternator by Gener-Nator. Don Allen does exceptional quality work. It has an internal regulator so the eternal one is bypassed. He even put on a tag that reproduced the numbers on the original generator.

http://www.gener-nator.com/



(IMG_2182.JPG)



(IMG_2183.JPG)



(IMG_2184.JPG)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-06 6:28 PM (#551748 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
This is what the generator strap used to look like on my car.



(IMG_4972 (375x500).jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-07 7:18 PM (#551817 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Also got the new battery tray and hold down installed.



(IMG_2185.JPG)



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Lancer Mike
Posted 2017-11-07 9:42 PM (#551823 - in reply to #549243)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: The Centennial State
color me amazed!
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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-09 7:13 PM (#551940 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Anyone out there have a set of air cleaner brackets?
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Highball57
Posted 2017-11-11 1:02 PM (#552049 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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What a Dream Car...congratulations on its acquisition and your progress!

On the subject of Power Windows (my favorite option), the "Ward's 1958 Automotive Yearbook"
states the percentages of installations for 1957:

Imperial - 91.3 %
Chrysler - 16.1 %
DeSoto --- 7.9 %
Dodge --- 2.1 %
Plymouth - 0.9 %

TG
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-11-11 2:20 PM (#552062 - in reply to #551940)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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dlyle - 2017-11-09 7:13 PM

Anyone out there have a set of air cleaner brackets?


Doug: Looks like might have been a one piece, at least on a poly engine. Should be easy enough to make.

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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-14 5:55 PM (#552240 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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On my car it appears to be two brackets.

Front 1822 056
Rear 1822 055

I think the earlier cars had a single bracket part number 1738-341. Might work on mine too.

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57desoto
Posted 2017-11-15 6:29 AM (#552264 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Definitely 2 brackets for the '57 DeSotos that have air cleaner housings with attachment points on the outer edges. Some housings only have one attachment point, so obviously only one bracket. In no case that I'm aware of, however, was there a single, 2-point bracket.
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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-15 10:43 AM (#552273 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
My car does have the two attaching points that you mention Ed.

The parts book shows 1 bracket for cars with before engine number 17796. These take 1738 341.

Engines 17796 and later take the 1822 056 for the front bracket and 1822 055 for the rear bracket.

I'm scheduled to go meet the original owner of the car this weekend. He thinks he may have some parts for the car but I'll have to dig through his garage to find them. I've also asked for any photos he may have of the car.

I've talked with him on the phone a few times but am thrilled to get to meet him in person.

Edited by dlyle 2017-11-15 10:57 AM




(IMG_2189.JPG)



(IMG_2190.jpg)



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56D500boy
Posted 2017-11-15 12:28 PM (#552277 - in reply to #552240)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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dlyle - 2017-11-14 5:55 PM
On my car it appears to be two brackets. Front 1822 056 Rear 1822 055
I think the earlier cars had a single bracket part number 1738-341. Might work on mine too.


Agree with your assessment. They must have figured out that the metal between the two ends of the one piece bracket was an unnecessary cost and that it could be eliminated in favour of the two piece bracket. There is the engine number break point in Note 3 on this page:





(57DesotoAirCleanerBracketPNs.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-15 1:14 PM (#552283 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Thanks for posting....my scanner is flakey so I've given up on it. The single bracket is different and only has one attaching point.

Edited by dlyle 2017-11-15 3:22 PM




(air_cleaner_bracket_single_A (2).jpg)



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56D500boy
Posted 2017-11-15 1:57 PM (#552288 - in reply to #552283)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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dlyle - 2017-11-15 1:14 PM
Thanks for posting....my scanner is flakey so Ive given up on it. The single bracket is different and only has one attaching point.


I didn't scan that page. I did a COPY IMAGE from the 55-58 Mopar Parts pdf that I recommend to 55-58 owners. Then I import into Irfan View and resize it down. Then I upload it.

Back on topic, interesting that Desoto did a bracket down to the head/valve cover interface. Dodge just has a bracket off the wire cover as per the example below. Either way, I hate those air cleaners since they hide the hemi valve cover so much.



Edited by 56D500boy 2017-11-15 1:58 PM
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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-15 3:23 PM (#552299 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Anyone out there have pictures of the 2 correct brackets?
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-11-16 7:16 PM (#552438 - in reply to #552299)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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dlyle - 2017-11-15 3:23 PM
Anyone out there have pictures of the 2 correct brackets?


No but that recent post regarding a 58 Chrylser Poly for sale has a photo that might help



Blown up and lightened a bit, you can see the bracket better:



Edited by 56D500boy 2017-11-16 7:18 PM




(58ChryslerPolyAirCleanerBracket.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-16 7:26 PM (#552442 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Think those are different...that's not a hemi right? We're getting closer though.
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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-16 7:28 PM (#552444 - in reply to #552049)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Highball57 - 2017-11-11 10:02 AM

What a Dream Car...congratulations on its acquisition and your progress!

On the subject of Power Windows (my favorite option), the "Ward's 1958 Automotive Yearbook"
states the percentages of installations for 1957:

Imperial - 91.3 %
Chrysler - 16.1 %
DeSoto --- 7.9 %
Dodge --- 2.1 %
Plymouth - 0.9 %

TG


Wow if you had a Plymouth with power windows you've got a rare one
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ToMopar
Posted 2017-11-17 6:07 AM (#552500 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Hi Doug,

here are some pictures with the bracket
by the way, I am searching for this backet too.





(br01.jpg)



(br02.jpg)



(br03.jpg)



(br04.jpg)



(br05.jpg)



(br06.jpg)



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oldhippie
Posted 2017-11-17 7:57 AM (#552506 - in reply to #552500)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible


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ToMopar - 2017-11-17 6:07 AM

Hi Doug,

here are some pictures with the bracket
by the way, I am searching for this backet too.



(sorry, I was mistaken, don't have it.)

Edited by oldhippie 2017-11-17 4:30 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-11-27 11:49 AM (#553232 - in reply to #552299)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Doug: Photos of the one piece bracket from the 57 Dodge AirCleaner for sale post:



REF: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=67337&...

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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-27 4:52 PM (#553251 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Thanks for the pictures guys. Gives me an idea of what I'm looking for.

Edited by dlyle 2017-11-27 4:55 PM
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dlyle
Posted 2017-11-27 9:19 PM (#553264 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
So I'm trying to gather info on what the correct fabrics look like for the interior. My car has code 642. It's not original so I don't have samples of what it should look like.

I've got samples from SMS and also a photo out of the 1957 Desoto fabric book. The colors look different as does the grain. Does anyone have pictures of what original of a 642 code interior should look like? Would love to see some original photos.

The first picture is what my seats look like now. Funny cause when I do a search I find several cars that are very close to these colors...which I think are wrong. The green is too dark.





Edited by dlyle 2017-11-27 9:25 PM




(00v0v_fZUzUvKDjtZ_1200x900.jpg)



(code 642.jpg)



(SMS samples.jpg)



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dlyle
Posted 2017-12-11 6:29 PM (#554103 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Look what I found cleaning out the glove box. It is from 1961.



(IMG_5810.JPG)



(IMG_5811.JPG)



(IMG_5814.JPG)



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Windsor59
Posted 2017-12-12 12:20 AM (#554134 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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You do a nice serios work. Being great convertible
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dlyle
Posted 2017-12-12 12:22 PM (#554163 - in reply to #554134)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Windsor59 - 2017-12-11 9:20 PM

You do a nice serios work. Being great convertible


Thank you! Cant wait til it's out on the road again.
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dlyle
Posted 2017-12-27 5:22 PM (#555087 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Here are some shots of the original radio and ARC automatic record changer installed. The am radio is now AM/FM Bluetooth.

I've had other AM radios repaired and then they just play talk radio. It was important to me to have the ability to play 50's music. I can play Pandora via wireless connection and it sounds great.


https://youtu.be/OOSvAYXUItM

Edited by dlyle 2017-12-27 5:37 PM




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dlyle
Posted 2017-12-27 5:25 PM (#555088 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
here is a video of it playing.

https://youtu.be/7DHhH4SQCns

https://youtu.be/3IWJPqLNmNE
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dlyle
Posted 2018-01-19 7:41 PM (#556582 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
I finally collected all the pieces to get the exhaust through the rear bumper. After exhaustive searching I came up with all NOS pieces.



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dlyle
Posted 2018-01-19 7:48 PM (#556584 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
I don't want these to suffer from corrosion so I sent them to Jet-Hot and got them coated with their Classic Polish. I've used it before with long term great results.



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dlyle
Posted 2018-01-19 7:52 PM (#556585 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Took the rear bumper off. It's getting more difficult everyday to find a place that does chrome in California. EPA is closing lots of chrome shops. The bumper is now off the car and in the hands of a chrome guy. Hope he does a good job. This is a test run so if they don't work will find another place.



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Lancer Mike
Posted 2018-01-20 11:17 PM (#556645 - in reply to #556585)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



500020002000500100100252525
Location: The Centennial State
Our last bumper re-chrome shop was
bought out by a marijuana grow house.

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bbrasse1
Posted 2018-01-21 8:10 AM (#556663 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 537
50025
Location: Upstate NY
Great job!
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dlyle
Posted 2018-01-22 1:09 PM (#556745 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Had the carb redone including plating all the linkage. It turned out nice and seems to work well.



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dlyle
Posted 2018-01-22 1:12 PM (#556746 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Thanks to a fellow Forward Look member I know have the correct original air cleaner brackets.



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dlyle
Posted 2018-07-16 7:57 PM (#566700 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
I've made slow but steady progress on the car in the last few months. I finally got the exhaust exiting out the bumper the way it came from the factory. It was a bit of a nightmare but its nearly done. Spent the better part of a day fiddling with it. Had to loosen up the complete exhaust to get everything lined up. Finally got the last bolt tight and noticed the right venturi had moved. This means it will have to come apart again to adjust.

Very pleased with how it sounds.


https://youtu.be/pqUdJWmvMM8

Edited by dlyle 2018-07-16 7:59 PM
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dlyle
Posted 2018-07-16 8:19 PM (#566702 - in reply to #534814)
Subject: Re: my "new"' 1957 DeSoto Fireflite convertible



Veteran

Posts: 236
10010025
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
After owning this car for over a year and a half I'm just starting to put some miles on it. Was running fairly well and then it started acting up on me. The car started sputtering so I limped it back home. It was acting like it was out of gas so I put about 3 gallons in it. The car doesn't have a working fuel gauge. Started it up and it was a letter better but the car would really act up if you hit the brakes. Here's what I discovered.

First thing the tank had to come out to fix the fuel sender. I'd had the tank out for a cleaning before and tested the sender by manually moving the arm up and down with a stick. Seemed to work fine but I didn't count on the cork float being sunk. I took the old tank out and replaced it with a tank from Van's Auto. A very nice tank. Looks just like my original tank. Anyway, I took a flashlight out and shined it in the old tank. To my surprise the darn pick-up tube was several inches off the bottom of the tank. It was the original sender and looked just like the NOS sender I'd bought to replace it. Only different was the original was not bent correctly. I drained 5 gallons out of the tank and I think at that level the fuel pump was sucking fumes. I took some time to make sure the bend was correct on the new sender and bolted it back in to the car. Filled it up with 5 gallons and checked the gauge. put 6 more gallons in and checked again so now I know where the needle will be for 5 or 1 gallons.

The after market pump on the car seemed to be spewing oil in my engine compartment so I put a NOS piece in there. Started the car up now I have a steady stream of fuel in the filter glass. Car runs well until you hit the brakes. Clamp off the booster line and it still runs well when hitting the brakes. The booster is shot! Packaged it up today and sent it to Booster Dewey. Also need to pull the choke valve on the exhaust manifold. It's stuck solid.

When I took off the booster I found an original stamping on the firewall. Said Paint OK. Found some markings on the tank too. Let me know if you want to see those.









Edited by dlyle 2018-07-16 8:30 PM




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