1951 DESOTO

1951 DESOTO

Model Designations:

DeSoto, DeLuxe, Series S-15, 6 Cylinder

DeSoto, Custom, Series S-15 6 Cylinder

Body Styles & Prices:

DeSoto, DeLuxe Line:

2 Door Club Coupe, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $2,215; Shipping Weight: 3,475 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $2,227; Shipping Weight: 3,570 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Carry-All, 6 Passenger:

Base Price: $2,457 Shipping Weight: 3,685 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Long Wheelbase Sedan, 8 Passenger

Base Price: $3,001; Shipping Weight: 4,005 Pounds

Production Total: *

* Combined with 1952 Production

DeSoto, Custom Line:

2 Door Club Coupe, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $2,418; Shipping Weight: 3,585 Pounds

Production Total: *

2 Door Convertible Coupe, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,862; Shipping Weight: 3,840 Pounds

Production Total: *

2 Door Sportsman Hardtop Coupe, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,761; Shipping Weight: 3,760 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,438; Shipping Weight: 3,885 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $3,047; Shipping Weight: 3,960 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Long Wheelbase Sedan, 8 Passenger

Base Price: $3,211; Shipping Weight: 4,155 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Door Suburban, 9 Passenger

Base Price: $3,566; Shipping Weight: 4,395 Pounds

Production Total: *

* Combined with 1952 Production

Chassis:

Wheelbase:

All Except Long Wheelbase: 125-1/2"

Long Wheelbase Models: 139-1/2"

Tire Sizes:

All Except Long Wheelbase: 7.60 X 15"

Long Wheelbase Models: 8.20 X 15"

General Engine Specifications:

Engine Type: L-Head, Inline 6 Cylinder

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-7/16" X 4-1/2"

Engine Displacement: 250.6 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 7.00:1

Taxable Horsepower: 28.36

Horsepower: 116 @ 3,600 RPM

Torque: 208 Ft. Lbs. @ 1,600 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

Tune Up Specifications:

Spark Plug Type: Auto-Lite AR8

Spark Plug: Gap .035

Point Gap: .020

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

Ignition Timing: 2 Degrees BTDC Mark on Vibration Damper

Engine Idle Speed:

Manual Transmission: 475 RPM

Semi-Automatic Transmission: 475 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 85 Ft Lbs

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 120 PSI (Minimum)

Valve Specifications:

Tappet Clearance, Running Hot:

Intake .008"

Exhaust .010"

Clearance for Timing: .014"

Valve Seat Angle: 45 degrees

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 12 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 6 degrees After Top Dead Center

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

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001"-.003"

Exhaust .002"-.004"

Piston & Ring Data:

Piston Removal: From Above

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5 to 7

Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .007"

Oil Ring: .007"

Ring Clearance in Grooves:

Compression Ring: .002"-.004"Top Ring; .0015"-.0035" Second Ring

Oil Control Ring: .001"-.0025"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .8591"-.8593"

Engine Bearing Data:

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.124"-2.125"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0015"

Rod End Play: .006"-.011" i

Rod Bolt Tension: 45-50 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.499"-2.500"

Main Bearing Clearance: .0005" -.0015"

Crankshaft End Play: .003"-.007"

Main Bolt Tension: 80-85 Lbs. Ft.

Capacities:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 15 Quarts

With Heater: 16 Quarts

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 2-3/4 Pints,

Semi-Automatic Transmission: 12 Quarts* combined with engine oil

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

* Add 1 Quart for Oil Filter

Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications:

Distributor #1AT-4004

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 @ 450 RPM

Full Advance: 10 Degrees @ 1,425 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degrees @ 6" Vacuum

Full Advance: 9 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum

Auto-Lite Generator Specifications:

Generator # GGW-6001B

Generator Output: 45 Amperes @ 2,125 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 35-53 Ounces

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 5 or 10 Volts: 1.4 to 1.5 Amperes

Regulator #VBE-6001-A

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: 45 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .048"

Starting Motor Specifications:

Part #MCL-6109

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 42-53 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.0 Volts @ 4,900 RPM

Torque Test: 410 Amperes, 2.0 Volts @ 8.0 Ft Lbs Torque

Carter Carburetor Specifications:

Carburetor Model: BB

Part #E9A-1, E9C, E9C1

Float Level: 5/64"

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

Pump Adjustment Using Gauge T109-117: None

Fast Idle Adjustment: .017"

Unloader Adjustment: 5/32"

Brake Specifications:

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches:

Length,

Front: 25-1/8",

Rear: 25-1/8"

Width, 2",

Thickness, 13/64"

Brake Shoe Clearance: .006"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 1-1/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

Caster: - 2 Degrees

Camber: 0 Degrees

Toe In: 0 to 1/16"

Toe-Out on Turns

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 to 22-1/2 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 5 to 6-1/2 Degrees

Beginning Engine Numbers:

Series S15: S15-1001

Beginning Serial Numbers:

Series S15 DeLuxe: 6269001 Detroit, Michigan

60011001 Los Angeles, California

Series S15 Custom: 50155001 Detroit, Michigan

62024001 Los Angeles, California

Popular Options:

Wheel Trim Rings, Side Mirrors, Radio, Heater, Clock, Cigar Lighter, Seat Covers, Spotlights, Fog Lamps, License Plate Frames, Presto-Matic Drive (on DeLuxe Models), White Sidewall Tires.

1951 DeSoto Historical Data:

1951 DeSoto model year introduction was on January 27, 1951.

Total 1951 Desoto Production: 121,794.