For the un-initiated, before “Electronic Ignition” the cylinders were fired by a spinning rotor that used a contact and point setup to fire the spark-plugs in proper sequence. If this gets, corroded, warped or wet, you have misfire and a badly running engine. My first engine problem as a teenager was a warped rotor and a really bad engine knock.
The car was named after DeSoto.
“Of course, you remember who DeSoto was, he discovered a famous body of water. You know the water he discovered,
De-Soda-Water?”
Question:
Who said that quote back in 1929?
Hint… He was a popular game show host in the 50s’ and early 60s’ and for a while DeSoto was his sponsor.
Ah, wascherer, they just don’t make them the way they used to. Now, paper thin metal bodies, $1000 to $2000 computer ignition modules, etc. I used to keep all my cars tuned up and in tip top running condition. Sometimes now I think it is almost cheaper to go get a good running used replacement than try to repair or fix up a modern car.
Just too many now, dahawk, to run the old points and plugs way.
According to the Department of Transportation, in 1960, with a US population of 180 million, there were 87 million licensed drivers and 74 million registered passenger vehicles.
In 2003, with a pop. of 291 mil. and 196 mil. L.D.s, there were 231 million (obviously much more by 2010) registered passenger vehicles on the road. Dad had one, mom had one, all three kids each had one, etc.
Yeah, I STILL miss my 383 Plymouth with a real 4BBL. carb, plugs and points, an engine I could tune up myself, and cheap gas (before that, I had a ‘59 Impala with a 327 and TWIN 4 BBLs). No way, though, could we ever afford to have 231 million 1968 Plymouth Sport Satellites on the highways - not only would our gas stations be dry, but I doubt we could still breathe the air. We HAD to go to computerized engines, basically.
Yukoner over 14 years ago
But are there any serious problems?
wascherer over 14 years ago
Wonder if the shop is approved to fix Desotos
http://www.carpictures.com/media/images/full/05KSN312620944A.jpeg
GROG Premium Member over 14 years ago
I think he’s got the point.
Rakkav over 14 years ago
Neither of those birds have entered the paperless society yet.
Dkram over 14 years ago
Can you even get points for a car like that any more?
\\//_
gjsjr41 over 14 years ago
Hey waschere, that’s when chrome was chrome and not bright plastic like now a days.
Yukoneric over 14 years ago
Kids today don’t get the point.
JP Steve Premium Member over 14 years ago
You forgot the pits!
“Points and plugs pitted, pits and points plugged, plugs and pits pointed.”
Mad Magazine ca 1965
ses1066 over 14 years ago
For the un-initiated, before “Electronic Ignition” the cylinders were fired by a spinning rotor that used a contact and point setup to fire the spark-plugs in proper sequence. If this gets, corroded, warped or wet, you have misfire and a badly running engine. My first engine problem as a teenager was a warped rotor and a really bad engine knock.
artisanx over 14 years ago
The car was named after DeSoto. “Of course, you remember who DeSoto was, he discovered a famous body of water. You know the water he discovered, De-Soda-Water?” Question: Who said that quote back in 1929? Hint… He was a popular game show host in the 50s’ and early 60s’ and for a while DeSoto was his sponsor.
tcambeul over 14 years ago
artisanz: Groucho Marx
dahawk over 14 years ago
Ah, wascherer, they just don’t make them the way they used to. Now, paper thin metal bodies, $1000 to $2000 computer ignition modules, etc. I used to keep all my cars tuned up and in tip top running condition. Sometimes now I think it is almost cheaper to go get a good running used replacement than try to repair or fix up a modern car.
Ushindi over 14 years ago
Just too many now, dahawk, to run the old points and plugs way.
According to the Department of Transportation, in 1960, with a US population of 180 million, there were 87 million licensed drivers and 74 million registered passenger vehicles.
In 2003, with a pop. of 291 mil. and 196 mil. L.D.s, there were 231 million (obviously much more by 2010) registered passenger vehicles on the road. Dad had one, mom had one, all three kids each had one, etc.
Yeah, I STILL miss my 383 Plymouth with a real 4BBL. carb, plugs and points, an engine I could tune up myself, and cheap gas (before that, I had a ‘59 Impala with a 327 and TWIN 4 BBLs). No way, though, could we ever afford to have 231 million 1968 Plymouth Sport Satellites on the highways - not only would our gas stations be dry, but I doubt we could still breathe the air. We HAD to go to computerized engines, basically.