Thanks gents. Quick test with some alligator clips confirmed I had them wired backwards. We’re up and running. A few things to sort out before a first test drive. This fully rebuilt hemi probably has 45 mins of run time on it. I had no issues with the initial break-in. I ran it again when it went back in the chassis and before the body went on. Again, no issues. The third time I started it once the body was back on I had a little bit of consistent white smoke (not condensation) out of the back which I found odd. Came back the next morning and it puffed a bit more white smoke and then went away. Should I assume the worst with this intermittent white smoke or maybe the rings aren't fully seated? It runs like a champ. Body on and running by driprail posted Dec 30, 2024 at 8:34 AM
I agree with Brian. I wouldn’t sweat it as long as it is running good. How long has the engine been sitting since rebuilt?
When I started on the first post, I thought-oh no, such an ugly car- my second thought was -I hope he can get that ugly hump out of the roof--I admit. I was WRONG! You have done an excellent job. Its gorgeous
Rebuilt and primed. Sealed up and stored for about 4.5 years. Rotated it every now and then. Reprimed before break in. Sat for another year before it was just ran again.
I always kook forward to opening up your Threads as you do have a way of getting things right...looking good @driprail...Happy Near Year to you and your's.
Full thrash mode over here. Trying to get everything back together because it’s due to the upholstery shop in a few weeks. Hanging doors and cleaning up wiring this weekend.
You absolutely nailed this, from bodywork, to the lean, to final color choice-- it's perfect. Not always easy to trust your vision, but this car is proof that is works out sometimes.
appreciate it. i still doubt my vision 90% of the time so we’ll see how it is when it’s “done”. I’m still expecting a Charlie Chaplin type scene where the wheels and every panel fly off on the first drive
outside a slight stumble off idle and a small fuel leak at the log it was smooth sailing '51 DeSoto first drive by driprail posted Jan 18, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Hood on. Deck lid on. Some inner fenders in. There's still some temporary hardware here and there that needs to be swapped with shiny stuff eventually. It’s officially at glass then off to upholstery. Stay tuned but it might be a while before the next update.
i'm pretty sure i'm not the first to say it evokes an 'olds ' feel up front -very smooth!-can almost see the olds grille that went in all the chevys way back...!
You looking for particular parts? I don't have complete 50/51 parts cars, but I got racks of parts for that era.
I'm looking for the spring loaded escutcheons that sat inside the hole in the garnish molding where the door handle is.
Found these, they're similar, but more ornate. Probably off a Chrysler or Imperial. I can measure and verify that they'd work for you.
The Jalopy Journal
