Updates, conversions, tech tips, etc...

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

 If anyone is interested, MOTOR TREND magazine converted a 1952 Kaiser Virginian Deluxe 2-door Traveler (built at Portland) in the late 1950's to test various aftermarket auto accessories.  They installed a period DeSoto Firedome V-8 hemi engine with Chrysler transmission.  An issue of MT chronicled the conversion with pictures and description of the modifications made (cutting and re-shaping firewall, changing transmission hump, etc).   Mayhaps Peterson Publications has more technical info on it buried in an old file somewhere.

[hollenway]

I have that article.....   It was called "The Kaisoto".......  If you send me a stamped, self addressed envelope I can provide copies.   

Dave C. Hollen
Hollenway Kaiser Frazer
217 Hollenway Drive
Glasgow, Pa.  16644

[ben-tex]

There are much better approaches than the MT one. You cqn go with modern engines without a lot of cutting etc. Tom Stradt and I put a Chevy 327 V8 with Chevy 3 spd standard in a 54 K years ago and the only "major" alteration was relocating the battery box to the other side. We wrote this conversion up in The Quarterly (Vol 21 1985 Number 3). Many such conversions have been done. Tom has done several more including automatics etc.

[kndllmtt]

the reason I asked was because I was going to shove a 292 Chevy and a 200r4 into this car and I wanted to know if anyone hit any huge snags.

[HJ-ETEX]

kndllmtt: Chevy thinwall 6's are 3 to 4 inches longer than a 226. There wasn't very much clearance between the fan and radiator of the 51-52 Kaisers to begin with. BUT 54-55 sheet metal is about that much longer so I think it could be done on those cars. The 53 cars with Power Steering had spacers on the radiator yoke and a slightly tweaked panel in front of the radiator so there would be additional clearance for an extra pulley on the front of the engine to run the PS pump. That only accounts for about 1 1/2 inches but a slightly thicker spacer and maybe a thinner radiator might get you the clearance. BTW, if you really have a 292-6 you will notice that the mounting boss on the passenger side is offset as compared to the driver side and the block is taller than 250. The 292 engines had a stroke as long as a 454 V8.   

[kndllmtt]

Yes I was aware that the 292 has the staggered motor mount on one side, I also have a 250/230 that I have in case the 292 didn't clear the hood. I also have a 235 that was given to me out of a '57 Chevy. But I was thinking about running electric fans just so I wouldn't have to worry about overheating in traffic.

[kndllmtt]

Does anyone know of a good place to get a radiator recored, or better yet one the is aproxametly the same size that would be a good replacement?