1939 DESOTO

Model Designations:

DeSoto, Series S-6, 6 Cylinder

Model Lines:

DeLuxe Line

Long Wheelbase DeLuxe Line

Custom Line

Long Wheelbase Custom Line

Body Styles & Prices:

DeSoto, Series S-6, DeLuxe Line

2 Door Business Coupe, 2 Passenger,

Base Price: $870; Shipping Weight: 3,064 Pounds; Production Total: 5,176

2 Door Auxiliary Seat Coupe, 2/4 Passenger,

Base Price: $925; Shipping Weight: 3,089 Pounds; Production Total: 2,124

2 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger,

Base Price: $930; Shipping Weight: 3,129 Pounds; Production Total: 7,472

4 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger,

Base Price: $970; Shipping Weight: 3,174 Pounds; Production Total: 31,513

DeSoto, Long Wheelbase (136"), Series S-6, DeLuxe Line

4 Door Trunk Sedan, 7 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,195; Shipping Weight: 3,454 Pounds; Production Total: 425

4 Door Limousine, 7 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,285; Shipping Weight: 3,549 Pounds; Production Total: 84

4 Door California Taxi, 7 Passenger

Base Price: $ NA; Shipping Weight: NA; Production Total: 1,250

Chasis; Total Production: 154

DeSoto, Series S-6, Custom Line

2 Door Business Coupe, 2 Passenger

Base Price: $923; Shipping Weight: 3,069 Pounds; Production Total: 498

2 Door Custom Auxiliary Seat Coupe, 2/4 Passenger,

Base Price: $978; Shipping Weight: 3,094 Pounds; Production Total: 287

2 Door Custom Club Coupe, 4 Passenger

Base Price: $1,145; Shipping Weight: 3,164 Pounds; Production Total: 264

2 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger

Base Price: $983; Shipping Weight: 3,134 Pounds; Production Total: 424

4 Door Trunk Sedan, 5 Passenger

Base Price: $1,023; Shipping Weight: 3,179 Pounds; Production Total: 5,993

DeSoto, Long Wheelbase (136"), Series S-6, Custom Line

4 Door Trunk Sedan, 7 Passenger

Base Price: $1,248; Shipping Weight: 3,459 Pounds; Production Total: 30

4 Door Limousine Sedan, 7 Passenger

Base Price: $1,338; Shipping Weight: 3,554 Pounds; Production Total: 5

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General Specifications:

Wheelbase: 119"

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

Engine Displacement: 228.1 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 6.5:1

Taxable Horsepower: 27.34

Horsepower: 93 @ 3,600 RPM; Optional: 100 @ 3,600 RPM

Torque: 172 Ft Lbs @ 1,200 RPM, Optional: 176 Ft Lbs @ 1,200 RPM

Carburetor: Ball & Ball, 1V Model E6N1

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.11:1

Tire Size: 6.00 X 16", Pressures: 28 Front & Rear

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: 2nd Line Before TDC on Vibration Damper

Firing Order: 153624

Tappet Clearance, Hot: Intake .008, Exhaust .010

Cylinder Head Torque: 65-70 Ft Lbs

Capacities

93 & 100 Horsepower Engines

Cooling System: 19 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 18 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 2-1/4 Pints, Without Overdrive

3-1/4 Pints, With Overdrive

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

Summer 70, Winter 50, With Overdrive

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90H, Winter 90H

1939 DESOTO

Valve Specifications

Both Engines

Tappet Clearance, Running Hot: Intake .008; Exhaust .010

Clearance for Timing: Intake: .014; Exhaust: .014

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 8 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 2 degrees After Top Dead Center

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

Valve Spring Pressure: 40 Lbs @ 1-3/4 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001-.003;

Exhaust .001-.003

Piston & Ring Data

Both Engines

Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .022;

Top of Skirt, Inch: .0005"

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-.004

Oil Control Ring: .002-.004

Engine Bearing Data

Both Engines

Camshaft End Play: .002-.006

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 -.002 inch

Crankshaft End Play: .003-.007 Inch

Main Bolt Tension: 75-80 Lbs. Ft.

Beginning Engine Numbers:

Series S-6: S6-1001

Beginning Serial Numbers:

Series S-6: 5634001

Brake Specifications

Lining Material: Molded

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches:

Length, 19-7/16",

Width, 2",

Thickness, 3/16"

Pedal Free Play: 5/16"

Wheel Alignment Specifications

Caster: +1-1/2 Degrees

Camber: +1/4 Degrees

Toe In: 1/16"

Kingpin Angle: 5-3/8 Degrees

Rear Axle Data

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

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shims

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Shims

Axle Shaft End Play: .003-.008 inch

Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications

Distributor #1GS-4102-1

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 @ 1,750 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degrees @ 6" Vacuum

Full Advance: 7 Degrees @ 12" Vacuum

Distributor #1GS-4102C-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 @ 1,750 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degrees @ 6-1/2" Vacuum

Full Advance: 7 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

Auto-Lite Generator Specifications

Generator # GDA-4801A

Brush Spring Tension:

Main Brush: 53 Ounces (Maximum)

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 6 Volts: 1.66-1.84 Amperes

Low Output Test: 8 Amperes, 7.6 Volts @ 1,195 RPM

Maximum Output: 28 Amperes, 8 Volts @ 2,025 RPM

Auto-Lite Regulator Specifications

Regulator Type: Voltage & Current

Part #VRB-4004B

Ground Polarity: Positive

Voltage to Close Relay Points: 6.4 to 7.0 Volts

Amperage to Open Relay Points: .5 to 3.0 Amperes

Maximum Operating Amperage: 27 to 29 Amperes

Maximum Operating Voltage @ 70 Degrees:

Before #8R-000001: 7.65 Volts

#8R-000001 & Later Numbers: 7.45 Volts

Starting Motor Specifications

Part #MAW-4016

Brush Spring Tension: 42-53 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.5 Volts @ 4,900 RPM

Lock Test: 670 Amperes, 4.0 Volts @ 18.0 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)

Carburetor Model: BB

Part #E6N1

Casting # Stamped on Webbing of Bowl Cover or Attached Tag

Repair Kit # 1308A

Float Level: 5/64"

Idle Screw Setting: 1/2 to 1-1/4 Turns

Metering Rod Gauge: None

Pump Travel: 26/64" (Medium Stroke)

Fuel Pump Data:

Pump Type: AT

Maximum Pressure: 4-1/4 PSI

Dash Gauge Manufacturer:

Gasoline: Auto-Lite

Temperature: Auto-Lite

Oil Pressure: Auto-Lite

Ammeter: Auto-Lite

Popular Options

White Wall Tires, Wheel Trim Rings, Side Mirrors, Vent Wings, Bumper Wing Guards, Fender Skirts, Bumper Guards, Radio, Heater, Clock, Cigar Lighter, Seat Covers, External Sun Shade, Spotlights, Fog Lamps, Dual Tone Horns on DeLuxe, Right Hand Sun Visor on DeLuxe, Right Hand Tail Light on DeLuxe, Sliding Sun Roof, Overdrive, License Plate Frames.

1939 DeSoto Historical Data

Introduction of the 1939 DeSoto was in October 1938.

Total 1939 DeSoto Production was 55,699

Copyright 1999, Custom Solutions & Services