1955 DESOTO

Model Designations:

DeSoto Firedome, Series S-22, 8 Cylinder

DeSoto Fireflite, Series S21, 8 Cylinder

Body Styles & Prices:

DeSoto Firedome, 8 Cylinder:

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $2,498; Shipping Weight: 3,870 Pounds

Production Total: 46,388

2 Door Convertible Coupe, 6 Passenger,

Base Price: $2,824; Shipping Weight: 4,010 Pounds

Production Total: 625

2 Door Sportsman Hardtop, 6 Passenger:

Base Price: $2,654 Shipping Weight: 3,805 Pounds

Production Total: 28,944*

2 Door Special Sportsman Hardtop, 6 Passenger:

Base Price: $2,541 Shipping Weight: 3,810 Pounds

Production Total: *

4 Station Wagon, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $3,125; Shipping Weight: 4,175 Pounds

Production Total: 1,803

* Sportsman Hardtop & Special Sportsman Hardtop production figures are combined.

DeSoto Fireflite, 8 Cylinder:

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,727; Shipping Weight: 3,935 Pounds

Production Total: 26,637*

Coronado 4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $3,151; Shipping Weight: N/A Pounds

Production Total: *

2 Door Convertible Coupe, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,929; Shipping Weight: 3,890 Pounds

Production Total: 775

2 Door Sportsman Hardtop, 6 Passenger

Base Price: $2,939; ShippintWeight: 3,940 Pounds

Production Total: 10,313

* Fireflite 4 Door & Coronado 4 Door Production figures are combined.

Chassis:

Wheelbase:

All Models: 126"

Tire Sizes:

All Models: 7.60 X 15"

General Engine Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, Fireflite:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve, V-Type 8 Cylinder

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3.720" X 3.344"

Engine Displacement: 291 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 7.50:1

Taxable Horsepower: 44.28

Horsepower: 200 @ 4,400 RPM

Torque: 274 Ft. Lbs. @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

8 Cylinder Engine, Firedome:

Engine Type: Overhead Valve, V-Type 8 Cylinder

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3.720" X 3.344"

Engine Displacement: 291 Cu. In.

Compression Ratio: 7.50:1

Taxable Horsepower: 44.28

Horsepower: 185 @ 4,400 RPM

Torque: 245 Ft. Lbs. @ 2,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 50 PSI

Tune Up Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, Fireflite:

Ground Polarity: Positive

Voltage: 6 Volts

Spark Plug Type: Auto-Lite 4S-165

Spark Plug: Gap .035

Point Gap: .017

Distributor Cam Angle:

Each Set of Points: 26-28 Degrees

Total Dwell, Both Sets of Points: 32-36 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 4 Degrees BTDC Mark on Vibration Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 475 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 85 Ft Lbs

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 130 PSI (Minimum)

8 Cylinder Engine, Firedome:

Ground Polarity: Positive

Voltage: 6 Volts

Spark Plug Type: Auto-Lite 4S-140

Spark Plug: Gap .035

Point Gap: .017

Distributor Cam Angle: 34 Degrees

Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Ignition Timing: 10 Degrees BTDC Mark on Vibration Damper

Engine Idle Speed: 475 RPM

Cylinder Head Torque: 85 Ft Lbs

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 130 PSI (Minimum)

Valve Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engine, Fireflite:

Running Clearance, Running Hot:

Intake: Zero

Exhaus: Zero

Valve Seat Angle: 45 degrees

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 12 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 14 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure:

Outer Spring: 92 Lbs @ 1.31"

Inner Spring: 42 Lbs @ 1.19"

Valve Lift, Zero Lash:

Intake: .360"

Exhaust: .360"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001"-.003"

Exhaust .002"-.004"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .372"

Exhaust: .372"

8 Cylinder Engine, Firedome:

Running Clearance, Running Hot:

Intake: Zero

Exhaus: Zero

Valve Seat Angle: 45 degrees

Valve Timing:

Intake Opens 4 Degrees After Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 10 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Spring Pressure:

Outer Spring: 92 Lbs @ 1.31"

Inner Spring: 42 Lbs @ 1.19"

Valve Lift, Zero Lash:

Intake: .360"

Exhaust: .360"

Valve Stem Clearance:

Intake .001"-.003"

Exhaust .002"-.004"

Valve Stem Diameter:

Intake: .372"

Exhaust: .372"

Piston, Pin, Ring, Crankshaft, & Bearing Data:

8 Cylinder Engine:

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .002"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 8 to 12

Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .015"

Oil Ring: .015"

Wrist Pin Diameter: .9217"

Rod Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.061"-2.062"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0015"

Rod End Play: .006"-.014"

Rod Bolt Torque: 45-50 Ft. Lbs

Main Bearings:

Shaft Diameter: 2.374"-2.375"

Main Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0015"

Crankshaft End Play: .002"-.007"

Thrust on Center Bearing

Main Bolt Torque: 80-85 Ft. Lbs.

Capacities:

8 Cylinder Engine, Fireflite:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 23 Quarts

With Heater: 24 Quarts

Radiator Pressure Cap: 7 PSI; With Air Conditioning: 14 PSI

Fuel Tank: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 2-3/4 Pints

With Overdrive: 3-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 10 Quarts

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

* Add 1 Quart with filter.

8 Cylinder Engine, Firedome:

Cooling System:

Without Heater: 23 Quarts

With Heater: 24 Quarts

Radiator Pressure Cap: 7 PSI; With Air Conditioning: 14 PSI

Fuel Tank: 20 Gallons

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts*

Manual Transmission: 2-3/4 Pints

With Overdrive: 3-1/2 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 10 Quarts

Rear Axle: 3-1/4 Pints

* Add 1 Quart with filter.

Auto-Lite Distributor Specifications:

8 Cylinder Engines, Fireflite:

Distributor #1AZ-4001D

Rotation: Clockwise

Cam Angle:

Each Set of Points: 26-28 Degrees

Total Dwell, Both Sets of Points: 32-36 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .017"

Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 375 RPM

Full Advance: 17 Degrees @ 2,300 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 5-1/4" Vacuum

Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 17" Vacuum

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 11-1/2 Degrees

8 Cylinder Engines, Firedome:

Distributor #1AZ-4002C

Rotation: Clockwise

Cam Angle:

Each Set of Points: 26-28 Degrees

Total Dwell, Both Sets of Points: 32-36 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .017"

Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 1 Degree @ 425 RPM

Full Advance: 6 Degrees @ 800 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 5-1/2" Vacuum

Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 15" Vacuum

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 11-1/2 Degrees

Auto-Lite Generator Specifications:

Generator #GGW-6016A

Generator Output: 45 Amperes @ 2,125 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 35-53 Ounces

Direction of Rotation: Clockwise

Field Current @ 5 Volts: 1.4 to 1.5 Amperes

Regulator #VBE-6201-A

Cutout Relay:

Voltage to Close Points: 6.5 Volts

Armature Air Gap: .032"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.2 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 45 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .050"

Ground Polarity: Positive

Starting Motor Specifications:

Part # MCL-6304

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: BBD

Part #2176S-SA

Float Level: 7/32"

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

Pump Stroke: 1"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .015"-.019"

Unloader Choke Valve Clearance: 1/4"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Carburetor Model: BBD

Part #2177S-SA

Float Level: 7/32"

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

Pump Stroke: 1"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .015"-.019"

Unloader Choke Valve Clearance: 1/4"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Overdrive Kickdown Switch: 1/64"-3/64"

Carburetor Model: BBD

Part #2178S-SA

Float Level: 7/32"

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

Pump Stroke: 1"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .015"-.019"

Unloader Choke Valve Clearance: 1/4"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Unloader Setting: 1/16"

Carburetor Model: BBD

Part #2070S, 2131S

Float Level:

Flat Top Floats: 9/32"

Curved Top Floats: 7/32"

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

Pump Stroke: 57/64"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .015"-.019"

Unloader Choke Valve Clearance: 1/4"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Dashpot Setting: 1/16"

Carburetor Model: BBD

Part #2067S, 2129S

Float Level:

Flat Top Floats: 9/32"

Curved Top Floats: 7/32"

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

Pump Stroke: 57/64"

Fast Idle Throttle Valve Clearance: .015"-.019"

Unloader Choke Valve Clearance: 1/4"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Carburetor Model: WCFB

Part #2210S

Idle Screw Setting: 1 to 2 Turns

Float Level:

Primary: 1/8"

Secondary: 3/16"

Float Drop:

Primary: 5/8"

Secondary: 11/16"

Fast Idle: .018"

Unloader: 3/16"

Bowl Vapor Vent: 1/16"

Automatic Choke Setting: Index

Rear Axle & Brake Specifications:

Fireflite:

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .006"-.008"

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Washer

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Washer

Axle Shaft End Play: .003"-.008"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 1-1/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Firedome:

Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash: .006"-.008"

Drive Pinion Adjustment: Washer

Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Shims

Axle Shaft End Play: .003"-.008"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 1-1/8"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications:

Caster:

Manual Steering: - 2 Degrees

Power Steering: 0 Degrees

Camber:

Left: + 1/2 Degree

Right: 0 Degrees

Toe In: 0 to 1/16"

Toe-Out on Turns

Outer Wheel: 20 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20-1/2 to 22-1/2 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 5 to 6-1/2 Degrees

Popular Options:

Wheel Trim Rings, Side Mirrors, Radio, Rear Seat Speaker, Heater, Air Conditioning, Electric Clock, Seat Covers, Spotlights, Fog Lamps, License Plate Frames, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Front Seat, Directional Signals, 4 Barrel Power Pack for Firedome, Powerflite Automatic Transmission, Overdrive, White Sidewall Tires, Wire Wheel Covers, Tinted Glass.

1955 DeSoto Historical Data:

Total 1955 Desoto Production: 115,485.

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