Projects my first project thread, 52 Desoto

Sweet old hardtop, I love it!

 

awesome, thanks for the info, may run a manual then or just go the powerglide route, i really dig the 53, nice job, very cool car

 

I should add there were only 3000 built


I also love the split windshield

 

Keep up the good work and enjoy the ride.

 

Got it wheeled outside and am gonna power wash the front suspension, frame and everything else that is exposed tomorrow after work

 

cleaned up pretty good

 

Take a good look at the frame around the coil springs. I have seen examples of cracks in this area and they remain hidden until the frame gets cleaned as you have done.

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I did inspect those areas and all looks good

i did manage to separate the trans gearbox from the bell housing and got the clutch off, next i plan to drain the oil from the motor and flip it up side down and pull the pan off and see what im up against as far as getting the pistons out so i can get the converter and bell housing off

 

Got the bell housing off earlier so just the converter is left, got the oil drained out of it and am gonna pull the pan off later today or tomorrow after work

 

Very cool,

Looking forward to more this build.

 

Got the oil pan off earlier and was able to get 4 pistons out, cylinders 7 and 8 are stuck tight, prob going to have to drill them out, still hoping for the best and that I wont have to bore it, crank will prob need to be turned though

 

904 tends to have no room for a starter.

 

Don't know if you've gone through the Hemi Tech Index yet, but your engine has a nominal Comp Ratio of 7.0:1 & the OEM C/Rs are often close to a full point optimistic when measured out. While expensive you should look at buying custom pistons in the 9-10:1 ratio.

 

I dont want to but I think I am just going to cut the rods on the 2 stuck cylinders with a sawzall so i can get the crank out which still has the flywheen and converter attached to it and then ever so gently chisel the pistons out after I drill them full of holes

I have decided to get a new set of higher compression pistons from 73RR

 

Do you think the rods are reusable/rebuildable? If yes you should collapse the pistons rather than cut the rods

 

I think they are but a few people have said I should look into new ones

 

If you're going to have to break the pistons anyway, try to save the rods.

Patience. I know you want to get the crank out but a full set of rods is good to have, unless there are spares or something easy to adapt.

 

it is probably a good idea to try and save them, im just gettin antsy

 

Well I got the crank out finally, ended up having to cut the #7 rod, the piston was all the way at the bottom of the cylinder so I couldnt really get tools in there and didnt want to gouge the cylinder, I may just let the machine shop get the stuck pistons out, they are stuck tight and I dont want to break anything. Do I need to use a puller to get the cam out?

 

Typically they'll come right out, but...I bought a stuck partially disassembled 331 once that turned out the cam was what was stuck, so you never know.

 

Pretty cool project you have going here, hope everything works out with the Hemi, keep at it!

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Any good machine shop recs around north shore boston or NH seacoast and southern maine?

 

I am glad to see that you are keeping the front suspension. That design rides pretty good once you relocate the shocks. My 55 is same basic design and rides awesome with one round cut from the coils and new bushings. It isn't going to handle like a vette but good for a daily driver. I converted mine to discs using mostly what comes in a kit from AAJ brakes. That dual wheel cylinder design isn't good for 60-0 mph stopping. Scary stuff happens.

 

Be sure to read through, ok, at lease scan, the Hemi Tech ....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209762#post1592518&highlight=HEMI+Tech

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awesome thanks

been doing quite a bit of browsing in the hemi tech but I missed that somehow

 

Scott has collected a lot of info, it is almost impossible to read through it all without the nourishment of your favorite adult beverage.

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Perhaps, but you need to be able to remember what you read....

 

got it back inside and next plan is to disassemble front brakes and convert to disc, i have read that I may need a wheel puller to get the front drums off, can anyone confirm? also got the motor completely tore down except for the 2 stuck pistons, will be calling a few different machine shops tomorrow, the progress is probably going to slow down since now I have to start spending $$$$

 

No...tapered rear axle needs the puller, fronts are simple...good luck!

 

this is great news and thanks!