1954 Kaiser Manhattan Update

[Barnum]

It was on ebay, though I actually didn't buy it through there. Chances are we did bid for it Hope you find one too !!

[kndllmtt]

I'm glad you got that though, I have too many Kaiser projects than I care to admit.

[Barnum]

Here is my latest update...I've put about 500 mi on the car...hoping that a sticky valve would break loose...it didn't ,so bit the bullet and pulled the head...# 6 exhaust was pitted, probably from sitting so long. The car is back together and running on all six Thanks to my brother ,it's a different car. I can't imagine doing this job without a lift.... If all goes well at this point.....I know it will need new seals...and then we hope to drive it to the Port Clinton meet in Oct....about a 450 mi trek. Hope everyone else has had time to enjoy their cars and the summer

[Barnum]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47203801@N08/4893234828/" title="kaiser 003 by Barnum2010, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4893234828_4198f08823.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="kaiser 003" /></a>

[Barnum]

Put about 250 miles on the car and it is running great !! also put new radial tires on it ,what a huge difference in the way it rides. I would of liked to go for wide whites....but for now it was more important that I have good road tires. I kept the bias wides that were on it. The were in good shape...but very old. If anyone has an interest in them let me know

[HJ-ETEX]

Sticky valves... Hal Nauman bought a well known 54 Manhattan. He drove it for several years. But it got where he was unable to start it. He called me in and we tried a couple of fixes, but with out success. The idea was if we could get the car started with a lot of upper lube/Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas, the valves might free up (this has worked on other cars). So we took off the head and 5 valves were seized open. I used some PB Blaster (penetrating oil) on the stems and tapped GENTLY on the stuck valves. I didn't have any success. Finally as a last resort, I used a curved jaw ViseGrips clamped on the valve head to rotate the valves as I sprayed more PB Blaster on the valve stems.  The valves finally loosened up and seated. I was afraid I would damage the valve face but apparently I didn't and as far as I know, the engine still runs.

[Barnum]

 all but one valve was ok.  reground the seat...and replaced it with a new valve. The rest just needed some cleaning. I hope it never sits around as long as it did before I got it.

[Barnum]

About 500 mi on the car now, and it runs great! Next item is the front and rear oil seals. The plan is to have that done in time to make the Port Clinton meet. It is about a 450 mi run from here. Anyone else going to attend ?

[Barnum]

Unfortunately I have to work this weekend...so I won't be able to get to the Kaiser meet in Ohio. One last show at the theatre....Have about 1000mi on the car now....runs really well....have no doubt it would have done the trip.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/47203801@N08/5029262459/

[Fid]

You gotta love those '54s. Great job.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Barbara and I are driving over Sunday morning.  Port Clinton is a bit more than an hour west of us, just off OH 2 (which splits off of I-90 west of Cleveland).

[Barnum]

I hope someone posts pics....was looking forward to the trip