1935 DESOTO




Model Designations:

DeSoto Airstream, Series SF, 6 Cylinder

DeSoto Airflow, Series SG, 6 Cylinder


Body Styles & Prices:


DeSoto Airstream, Series SF


2 Door Business Coupe, 2 Passenger,

Base Price: $695; Shipping Weight: 2,840 Pounds; Production Total: 1,760


2 Door Rumble Seat Coupe, 2/4 Passenger,

Base Price: $760; Shipping Weight: 2,925 Pounds; Production Total: 900


2 Door Convertible Coupe, 2/4 Passenger,

Base Price: $835; Shipping Weight: 3,035 Pounds; Production Total: 226


2 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger,

Base Price: $745; Shipping Weight: 2,915 Pounds; Production Total: 1,350


2 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger,

Base Price: $775; Shipping Weight: 2,960 Pounds; Production Total: 2,035


4 Door Sedan, 5 Passenger,

Base Price: $795; Shipping Weight: 2,990 Pounds; Production Total: 5,714


4 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger,

Base Price: $825; Shipping Weight: 3,035 Pounds; Production Total: 8,018



Airstream, Series SF, General Specifications:


Wheelbase: 116"

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8" X 4-1/2"

Engine Displacement: 241.5 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 6.0:1

Taxable Horsepower: 27.34

Horsepower: 93 @ 3,400 RPM

Torque: 180 Ft Lbs @ 1,200 RPM

Carburetor: Ball & Ball 1V Model E6F2

Rear Axle Ratio: 3.89:1

Tire Size: 6.25 X 16", Pressures: 28 Front & Rear




Airstream, Series SF, Tune Up Specifications


Spark Plug Type:

Regular Heads: Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent

Aluminum Heads: Champion J-9 (Long Reach), H-10, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .025;

Point Gap: .020

Distributor Cam Angle: 38 degrees

Ignition Timing: TDC, Mark on Vibration Damper

Firing Order: 153624

Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake .006, Exhaust .008

Cylinder Head Torque: 65-70 Ft Lbs




Airstream, Series SF, Capacities


93 Horsepower Engine

Cooling System: 17 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 15 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 2-1/2 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90



Body Styles & Prices:


Airflow, Series SG, 6 Cylinder:


2 Door Business Coupe, 3 Passenger

Base Price: $1,015; Shipping Weight: 3,390 Pounds; Production Total: 70


2 Door Coupe, 5 Passenger

Base Price: $1,015, Shipping Weight: 3,390; Production Total: 418


4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $1,015; Shipping Weight: 3,390 Pounds: Production Total: 6,269


4 Door Town Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $1,015; Shipping Weight: 3,400 Pounds: Production Total: 40



Airflow, Series SG, General Specifications:


Wheelbase: 115-1/2"

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-3/8" X 4-1/2"

Engine Displacement: 241.5 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 6.5:1

Taxable Horsepower: 27.34

Horsepower: 100 @ 3,400 RPM

Torque: 185 Ft Lbs @ 1,200 RPM

Carburetor: Ball & Ball 1V Model E6F2

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.00:1

Tire Size: 6.50 X 16", Pressures: 28 Front & Rear


Airflow, Series SG, Capacities


100 Horsepower Engine

Cooling System: 17 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 16 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 6 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 3-3/4 Pints ; With Overdrive, 6-1/2 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90, Without Overdrive

Grade of Oil Summer 70, Winter 50, With Overdrive

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 140, Winter 90




Airflow, Series SG, Tune Up Specifications


Spark Plug Type:

Regular Heads: Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent

Aluminum Heads: Champion J-9 (Long Reach), H-10, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .025;

Point Gap: .020

Distributor Cam Angle: 38 degrees

Ignition Timing: 5th Line after TDC, Mark on Vibration Damper

Firing Order: 153624

Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake .006, Exhaust .008

Cylinder Head Torque: 65-70 Ft Lbs



1935 DESOTO



Valve Specifications


Both Engines

Tappet Clearance, Running Hot: Intake .006; Exhaust .008

Clearance for Timing: Intake: .010; Exhaust: .010 Valve Timing:

Intake Opens At Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 2 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Seat Angle: Intake 45 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,

Valve Spring Pressure: 46 Lbs @ 2-1/32 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001-.003;

Exhaust .003-.005




Piston & Ring Data


Both Engines

Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .022;

Top of Skirt, Inch: .002"

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5 to 7

Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .007

Oil Ring: .007

Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:

Compression Ring: .002-.003

Oil Control Ring: .002-.003


Engine Bearing Data


Both Engines

Camshaft End Play: .003-.005

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .001-.003

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.124-2.125 Inches

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005-.0025 inches

Rod End Play: .006-.011 inches

Rod Bolt Tension: 45-50 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.499"-2.500"

Main Bearing Clearance: .001 -.0032inch

Crankshaft End Play: .003-.007 Inch

Main Bolt Tension: 75-80 Lbs. Ft.



Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications


Distributor #1GS-4001-1

Cam Angle: 38 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .020"

Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 3 Degrees @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 1,350 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 2 Degrees @ 7-5/8" Vacuum

Full Advance: 8 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum


Distributor #1GS-4001A-1

Cam Angle: 38 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .020"

Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 3 Degrees @ 400 RPM

Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 1,530 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 2 Degrees @ 7-5/8" Vacuum

Full Advance: 8 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum



Auto-Lite Generator Specifications


Generator #GAR-4608-5 & GAR-4608A-5

Brush Spring Tension:

Main Brush: 50-60 Ounces

Third Brush: 50-60 Ounces

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 6 Volts: 3.51-3.89 Amperes

Low Output Test: 8 Amperes @ 1,100 RPM w/8 Volts

Maximum Output: 22.4 Amperes; 8 Volts



Auto-Lite Regulator Specifications

Regulator Type: Voltage

Part #TC-4301-A

Voltage to Close Relay Points: 6.5-7.25

Amperage to Open Relay Points: .5-2.5 Amperes

Armature Air Gap: .030"

Point Opening: .005"



Starting Motor Specifications

Part #MAX-4002

Brush Spring Tension: 42-53 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.5 Volts @ 5,300 RPM

Lock Test: 880 Amperes, 4.0 Volts @ 25.0 Ft Lbs Torque


Part #MAX-4003

Brush Spring Tension: 42-53 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.5 Volts @ 5,300 RPM

Lock Test: 880 Amperes, 4.0 Volts @ 25.0 Ft Lbs Torque





Carter Carburetor Specifications

Carburetor Model: BB

Part #E6P5

Casting # Stamped on Webbing of Bowl Cover or Attached Tag

Repair Kit # 1308A

Float Level: 5/64"

Idle Screw Setting: 1/2 to 1-1/2 Turns

Metering Rod Gauge: None

Pump Travel: 24/64" (Medium Stroke)



Fuel Pump Data:


Pump Type: P

Maximum Pressure: 3-1/2 PSI



Dash Gauge Manufacturer:


Gasoline: Moto Meter Neco

Temperature: Moto Meter Neco

Oil Pressure: Moto Meter Neco

Ammeter: Auto-Lite



Beginning Engine Numbers:

Series SF: SF-1001

Series SG: SG-1001


Beginning Serial Numbers:

Series SF: 6023501

Series SG: 5082201



Brake Specifications


Lining Material: Molded

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches: Length, 19-13/16", Airstream Series SF

Length, 22-5/32", Airflow Series SG

Width, 2",

Thickness, 3/16"

Pedal Free Play: 5/16"



Wheel Alignment Specifications


Airstream, Series SF

Caster: +2 Degrees

Camber: +3/8 Degrees

Toe In: 3/32"

Kingpin Angle: 10 Degrees


Airflow, Series SG

Caster: +2 Degrees

Camber: +1/2 Degrees

Toe In: 3/32"

Kingpin Angle: 4 Degrees




Rear Axle Data, Both Series


Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .006-.010 inch

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Shims

Axle Shaft End Play: .003-.008 inch



Popular Options


Front Bumper, Rear Bumper, White Wall Tires, Dual Sidemounts on Airstream, Sidemount Covers on Airstream, Fender Skirts, Bumper Guards, Radio, Antenna, Heater, Clock, Cigar Lighter, Seat Covers, Parking Lights, Spotlights, Wheel Trim Rings, Fender Skirts, Carpets, Trumpet Horns, Twin Wipers, Right Side Taillight, Right Side Interior Sun Visor, Metal Spare Tire Cover, Overdrive Transmission.




1935 DeSoto Historical Data


Introduction of the 1935 DeSoto was on January 2, 1935.

Total 1935 DeSoto Production was 34,276.

Copyright 1999, Custom Solutions & Services