1948 DESOTO

Model Designations:

DeSoto, Series S-11, 6 Cylinder

Model Lines:

DeLuxe Series

Custom Series

Long Wheelbase Custom Series

Body Styles & Prices:

DeSoto, Series S-11, DeLuxe Line:

2 Door Business Coupe, 3 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,699; Shipping Weight: 3,285 Pounds; Production Total: *

2 Door Club Coupe, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,815; Shipping Weight: 3,385 Pounds; Production Total: *

2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,788; Shipping Weight: 3,375 Pounds; Production Total: *

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,825; Shipping Weight: 3,435 Pounds; Production Total: *

4 Door California Taxi, 6 Passenger:

Base Price & Shipping Weight Not Available; Production Total: *

* Production figures for 1946, 1947, 1948, & 1949 First Series DeSoto are included in total with the 1949 First Series Data.

DeSoto, Series S-11, Custom Line:

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $1,892; Shipping Weight: 3,439 Pounds; Production Total: *

2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $1,860; Shipping Weight: 3,399 Pounds; Production Total: *

2 Door Club Coupe, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $1,874; Shipping Weight: 3,389 Pounds; Production Total: *

2 Door Convertible Coupe, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,296; Shipping Weight: 3,599 Pounds; Production Total: *

DeSoto, Long Wheelbase (139.5"), Series S-11, Custom Line:

4 Door Sedan, 7 Passenger

Base Price: $2,315; Shipping Weight: 3,819 Pounds; Production Total: *

4 Door Limousine Sedan, 7 Passenger

Base Price: $2,442; Shipping Weight: 3,995 Pounds; Production Total: *

4 Door Suburban, 9 Passenger

Base Price: $2,631; Shipping Weight: 3,974 Pounds; Production Total: *

.

General Specifications:

Wheelbase: 121-1/2"

Engine Type: L-Head, Inline 6 Cylinder

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-7/16" X 4-1/4"

Engine Displacement: 236.6 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 6.60:1

Taxable Horsepower: 28.36

Horsepower: 109 @ 3,600 RPM;

Torque: 192 Ft.Lbs. @ 1,200 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 45 PSI

Carburetors:

Taxicab: Ball & Ball EL1 or EX3R

Fluid Drive or Vacuumatic Transmission: Ball & Ball EV1, or EV2, or E7L4

Standard Transmission: Ball & Ball EX1, or EX2, or EX3.

Rear Axle Ratio: Not Available

Tire Size:

Standard Tire: 6.50 x 15, Inflation Pressure: 28 PSI Front & Rear

Super-Cushion Tire: 7.60 x 15, Inflation Pressure: 24 PSI Front & Rear

Tune Up Specifications:

Spark Plug Type: Auto-Lite A5, Champion J-8, J-11, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .030;

Point Gap: .020

Distributor Cam Angle: 38 degrees

Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4

Ignition Timing: TDC Mark on Vibration Damper

Engine Idle Speed:

Manual Transmission: 475 RPM

Semi-Automatic Transmission: 475 RPM

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

Cylinder Head Torque: 65-70 Ft Lbs

Compressin Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 120 PSI (Minimum)

Valve Specifications:

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

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

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 12 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 6 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 .003-.005

Piston & Ring Data:

Piston Removal: From Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .0305;

Top of Skirt, Inch: .001"

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: .0025-.004 Top Ring; .002-.0035 Second Ring

Oil Control Ring: .001-.0025

Engine Bearing Data:

Camshaft End Play: .002-.006

Camshaft Bearing Clearance: .001-.003

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.124-2.125 Inches

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005-.0015 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: .0005 -.0015 inch

Crankshaft End Play: .003-.007 Inch

Main Bolt Tension: 75-80 Lbs. Ft.

Capacities

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 18 Quarts

With Heater: 19 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts;

Grade of Oil: Above +32F 20;

Above +10F 20W;

Above -10F 10W

Manual Transmission: 2-3/4 Pints, Without Overdrive

Grade of Oil: Summer 90, Winter 90,

Semi-Automatic Transmission: Use 10W Engine Oil

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

Grade of Oil: Summer 90H, Winter 90H

Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications:

Distributor #1GS-4208-1

Rotation: Clockwise

Cam Angle: 39 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .020"

Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 370 RPM

Full Advance: 11 Degrees @ 1,400 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

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

Full Advance: 6 Degrees @ 14" Vacuum

Auto-Lite Generator Specifications

Generator # GDZ-4801A

Generator Output: 35 Amperes @ 2,000 RPM

Brush Spring Tension:

Main Brush: 35-53 Ounces

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 5 or 10 Volts: 1.3 to 1.5 Amperes

Regulator #VRP-4503A

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.5 Volts

Reverse Current to Open Points: 4 to 6 Amperes

Armature Air Gap: .031"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .048"

Generator # GDZ-4801R

Generator Output: 35 Amperes @ 2,000 RPM

Brush Spring Tension:

Main Brush: 35-53 Ounces

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 5 or 10 Volts: 1.3 to 1.5 Amperes

Regulator #VRP-4503A

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.5 Volts

Reverse Current to Open Points: 4 to 6 Amperes

Armature Air Gap: .031"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.3 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .048"

Starting Motor Specifications:

Part #MAW-4025

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 42-53 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.0 Volts @ 4,300 RPM

Torque Test: 335 Amperes, 2.0 Volts @ 6.0 Ft Lbs Torque

Carter Carburetor Specifications:

Carburetor Model: BB

Part #EX1-2

Float Level: 5/64"

Idle Screw Setting: 3/4 to 1-1/4 Turns

Pump Adjustment Using Gauge T109-117: 26

Fuel Pump Data:

Pump Model: BQ

Maximum Pressure: 4-1/2 PSI

Brake Specifications:

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches:

Length,

Front: 23",

Rear: 20-3/8"

Width, 2",

Thickness, 13/64"

Brake Shoe Clearance: .006"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 1-1/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1-1/8"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

Caster: Zero Degrees

Camber: +3/8 Degrees

Toe In: 0 to 1/16"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 22-1/2 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 4-3/4 to 6 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

Dash Gauge Manufacturer:

Gasolline: Auto-Lite

Oil Pressure: Auto-Lite

Temperature: Auto-Lite

Ammeter: Auto-Lite

Beginning Engine Numbers:

Series S-11: S-11-1001 (Continued from 1946)

Beginning Serial Numbers:

Series S-11 DeLuxe: 61790370 Detroit, Michigan

Series S-11 Custom: 5885816 Detroit, Michigan

62001001 Los Angeles, California

Popular Options

Wheel Trim Rings, Side Mirrors, Vent Wings, Fender Skirts, Bumper Guard Rails, Radio, Heater, Clock, Cigar Lighter, Seat Covers, Spotlights, Fog Lamps, License Plate Frames, Fluid Drive, Vacumatic Transmission, White Wall Plastic Wheel Discs, Directional Signals, White Sidewall Tires.

1948 DeSoto Historical Data

Production figures for the 1948 DeSoto are included in total with the 1949 First Series Production Totals.

Copyright 1999, Custom Solutions & Services