Re: Re: IML: question @ my 1951 Imperial

[David Duricy <desotobravo@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- agraybill@xxxxxxx wrote:
> I am only
> 25 so maybe I can't appriciate what the car really
> means. . .

Nonsense. You're a grown man. You can appreciate
whatever you set your mind to. Anyone who tells you
otherwise is not your friend.

> For example. The
> car is a clutch-o-matic. There is a slight problem
> in the tranny. The clutch works but you can push the
> pedal all the way to the floor. I can't find anyone
> who knows a thing about it. 

You've found someone. The transmission in your '51
Imperial is a Fluid-Matic. It's a semi-automatic
transmission with four speeds forward divided into two
ranges.

The clutch is supposed to go to the floor. Pushing the
clutch to the floor then pushing the gearshift lever
away from you and down puts the car in drive. When the
clutch is released, the car is ready to roll. It will
roll if the brake isn't on. 

When the car reaches 20 miles per hour, the driver
lifts his foot off the gas for about a second. The
Fluid-Matic shifts automaticaly to the next gear. The
shift can be heard as a click or a clunk sound.

The clutch isn't needed for braking or coasting. No
need to touch it until Neutral, Reverse or Lo are
needed.

It's an easy way to drive.

> The same with the
> engine. It is a 331 Hemi. I just want to paint the
> heads and clean it up but no one knows enough about
> it to help. 

The 331 Hemi is an engine of legend. Books, articles
and websites have been written in tribute. Here's one
source for early Hemi parts and speed equipment:

http://www.hothemiheads.com/

> And in the condition it is in, I am
> afraid to drive it because I dont want to do any
> damage to it. 

I used to feel that way about my '50 DeSoto. I didn't
work on it for years because I was afraid I'd do more
harm than good. I got over that thanks to the
internet, a good repair manual, and other DeSoto
owners. You can get confident with your Imperial, too.
It will take time and effort, of course.

> When my grandpa had it appraised in
> 2000(the car was 49) it was valued at 10000 dollars,
> but I have no use for a car that is just going to
> sit around. I believe it needs to be driven. So that
> is why I want to do the custom work to it so I can
> have it the way I really want it.  

If the car isn't what you want now, it never _never_
will be. Mods will just take your cash and evaporate
that $10,000 appraisal.

Better to sell it, then buy the car you do want.

After a few years with my DeSoto, I got tired of
having no stereo, no air-conditioning, and no V8. I
put the DeSoto in storage, and bought myself a 1971
Imperial - Multiplex stereo, AutoTemp II and 440 cubic
inches of V8!

The day came when I was ready for the DeSoto again.
The things that used to bug me about the car are fun
now. If I'd modified it, I'd have missed that.

> P.S. The radio runs on tubes and doesn't work, but
> no one seems to know how to fix that either.

You must be talking to the wrong people. Old radio
repair is common. Here is a link to all the radio
repair shops listed at Hemmings.com:

http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/classifieds.servicesearch/type/radios

Your grandpa bought the best then gave it to you. Do
you're best by it, whatever your decision.

Good Luck!
Dave



		
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