[townsend]

I have a 1950 new yorker coupe with 95,000 miles. Engine runs smooth and quiet but oil pressure falls off when hot and rear oil seal leaks. Is low oil pressure symptom of loose main brgs? If so, what should clearance be and is best way to adjust to shim assuming that bearing and crank surface look good? pressure is 40 at cold fast idle, 20 at cold slow idle, 30 at warm fast idle, 10 at warm slow idle.

[Rusty_OToole]

Your oil pressure readings are pretty good considering. Factory specs call for 45 pounds pressure at 45 MPH according to my 1954 Motor Repair Manual.

There is no shimming or adjusting of bearings. Chrysler pioneered the modern insert bearing in 1934. Your Chrysler has the same type bearings as the typical 2009 car. You just buy new bearings.


If it was my car I would do a compression test and if the compression readings were halfway decent I would not do anything.

By the way I envy you. A 1950 straight eight New Yorker coupe is a rare car and one I admire.

[Monte58]

6.13.09
Rusty;
Thanks for the update.
For 36 C-10 Imperial.

We are keeping distributor stock. Only changing to 12 v from 6v.
Up rating springs and adding vertical shocks in lieu of dampers.
Using Holley Electric fuel pumps(2) and John Deere filters(2) for fuel lines.
Otherwise she has been magna fluxed and rebuilt Engine to Axles
Monte

[rustyshepherd]

Regarding gas mileage on the 323.5 eight, my parents bought a '50 New Yorker new and my dad said it got about 15 MPG on the road and 12 MPG in town.

[hudsoninbury]

I came across this discussion regarding the straight eight. I also have a 1950 New Yorker Coupe whh has an engine rebuild. The car is almost ready to go back on the road but now I am having new rear mounts and more important, a new drag link manufactured. The old link is worn and I cannot find another, so are manufactuing one which hopefully will be even stronger than the original, then I can at last tryout the engine after its rebuild.... but all the discussion here has been very interestng.. My cr has a button on the end of the gear lever and we are not sure what it is for and if it works. Is it an over drive??

[DougD]

hudsoninbury--

If your car has Fluid Drive and the M6 semi-automatic transmission (called Prestomatic in the 1950 models, IIRC), then the button at the end of the gear lever is likely wired to cause the transmission to downshift. The downshift is from 4th to 3rd gear in the Driving Range or from 2nd to 1st gear in the Power Range position of the gear lever.

The same downshift can be obtained by pressing the accelerator pedal to the floor, but the pushbutton downshift is smoother, especially if you slightly increase pressure on the accelerator while downshifting to allow the engine to speed up.

[hudsoninbury]

Originally Posted by DougD

hudsoninbury--

If your car has Fluid Drive and the M6 semi-automatic transmission (called Prestomatic in the 1950 models, IIRC), then the button at the end of the gear lever is likely wired to cause the transmission to downshift. The downshift is from 4th to 3rd gear in the Driving Range or from 2nd to 1st gear in the Power Range position of the gear lever.

The same downshift can be obtained by pressing the accelerator pedal to the floor, but the pushbutton downshift is smoother, especially if you slightly increase pressure on the accelerator while downshifting to allow the engine to speed up.

Hi -thanks for that ..it makes sense .. will check out the wiring

[BaronvonR]

I just rebuilt my 1950 Imperial Deluxe engine and the oil pressure is about 60 cold and when hot runs at 50....hot idle is above 20. Now my engine is a bit unusual as it is one of the ones Chrysler built in 1950 with hydraulic lifters...now they were VERY hard to find...but OH SO QUIET!!!!

I would check your oil pump to see if it needs work and also the oil pressure relief valve spring on the side of the block may be weak...shims help there.

just some suggestions

[c49er]

I too have a late 1950 Imperial "8" with hydraulic lifters. Solid lifters in the Chrysler eights are also very quiet when properly adjusted. Have a couple of those solid tappet 8cyl. chrysler cars too.
Bob