1953 Desoto Firedome

[DavePro62]

Hi

 

We are restoring a 1953 Desoto Firedome Convertible, the car has not been driven for a number of years.

 

We have today got the car started which is the good news, we then selected Drive released the clutch and nothing.

 

We are assured the car was driving about 3 years ago and nothing appears to have been done that would effect the gearbox or clutch.

 

We know it has a "Fluid Drive" gearbox, could it be that this has dried out, I presume there is a method for checking the level, what sort of fluid does it take?

 

Any help would be appreciated not a lot of experts in the UK.

 

Thanks

 

Dave 

[keithb7]

See below : Oil drain port in red. Oil fill port in green 

 

The oil only serves a purpose once the car is moving. The oil pump is driven by the drive shaft spinning. When you physically put it in gear you are manually forcing gears to move. Oil is not aiding here. If it were dry with no oil it would still go into gear. It's just wouldn't auto shift later.

 

I'd check clutch linkage. Gear shift linkage.  Start with that.

 

 

Edited June 3, 2020 by keithb7 (see edit history)

[Bloo]

Doesn't this have a fluid coupling?

Edited June 3, 2020 by Bloo (see edit history)

[keithb7]

My fluid-matic has a fluid coupling and clutch. 1953. Chrysler.

[Brooklyn Beer]

Fill the fluid coupling.  I use Super Tech (walmart) Heavy Duty Tractor Hydraulic and Transmission oil. I remember researching this and asking a ton of questions when I got my 46 Dodge and this was the answer I got.  I am sure there is an ISO number but my jug is pretty crudy to find it anywhere.  I bet if you do a "fluid drive oil" search on here you'll find out more.  If the coupler is dry figure of almost a full 2 gallon.  On the passenger side trans tunnel there is a little removable plate like you have for the brake fluid. Remove the cover.  Now pop off the coil wire and "bump" the motor a little at a time till the plug becomes visible.  Remove the plug WITH A MAGNETIC SOCKET.  You drop it and have fun crawling around removing the dust cover to retrieve it.  Fill it till it's full.  Your car will not move until you do. so.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_Drive

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Brooklyn Beer (see edit history)

[keithb7]

You may want to ensure if you have either a fluid coupling or a torque converter. They are different. 1953 my Chrysler Windsor was available with an actual torque converter.

The 6 cylinder engine offered this rare setup: The engine oil in mine is pumped through to the torque converter, then cycled back and dumped into the engine oil pan. 
 

How can you tell if you have this? There is no torque oil cooler. There no torque oil sump under the torque. There is an inspection plate. You remove it and spin the torque around until you find a drain plug. You drain the torque oil and reinstall the plug. The torque is refilled when the engine, with new oil, is started up again. 

[Martin Pany]

Hi!

I´m a new visitor here an had a question:

The starter in my DeSoto firedome convertible has an malfunktion. I can´t start my car. Can a other visitor tell me wher i can bay a starter? I'm buy my desoto 2015 in Las Vegas und now the catr is in Austria (europe). In our contry the most people say "waht is desoto?".

Please help me an sen me any information! Thank you!

[TerryB]

8 hours ago, Martin Pany said:

Hi!

I´m a new visitor here an had a question:

The starter in my DeSoto firedome convertible has an malfunktion. I can´t start my car. Can a other visitor tell me wher i can bay a starter? I'm buy my desoto 2015 in Las Vegas und now the catr is in Austria (europe). In our contry the most people say "waht is desoto?".

Please help me an sen me any information! Thank you!

Can the starter be rebuilt by a local automotive electrical specialist? There are people here in the United States who rebuild starters and generators.  

[61polara]

Before  you rebuild your starter, check that the starter relay on the fender near the battery is sending power to the solenoid.