Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: retroguy on June 10, 2020, 07:57:42 AM

Title: '54 Kaiser Manhattan shop manuals
Post by: retroguy on June 10, 2020, 07:57:42 AM
Never had a KF before. Other cars I've had (Olds, Buick, Cadillac) have complete shop manuals available that cover the entire vehicle.  In seaching for a shop manual for my '54 K it seems that I need a '51 shop manual to start, then add a '52-'53 supplement, then a '54 supplement of some kind.  Is this correct?  What do I need to be able to repair all areas of my '54?  retroguy
Title: Re: '54 Kaiser Manhattan shop manuals
Post by: kaiserfrazerlibrary on June 10, 2020, 10:44:30 AM
You need various things including what you listed in your post.  Here's a list of the FACTORY information covering your car
1954 Non-Illustrated (green cover) Kaiser Parts List book
1951 Kaiser and Frazer Shop Manual - covers various items that had not changed since 1951 on the underpinnings, and mechanicals of the car.
1952-53 Kaiser Shop Manual Supplement - covers updates during 1952 and 1953 model years that were still considered current in 1954 models
Supercharger manual - covers the blower unit which was required on 1954 and 1955 Kaiser Manhattans
Hydra-Matic Shop Manual
K53 Transmission Supplement book to cover changes made in the transmissions with K53 on the manufacturer tag
1954-55 Service Bulletins

All the known service bulletins (issued by Kaiser-Willys Sales Corporation)  were put together and are part of KFOCI HANDBOOK on CD and can be printed off as needed.  Version 5.0 is still the current edition of the Handbook.  Check the Table of Contents on the CD for the department and item within the department.

Kaiser Motors never published a formal shop manual or complete supplement.  As things ended up, management had no plans to continue the car after the spring of 1954 and built out the 1954 models with remaining inventories used to make a small number of 1955 model year cars as contractural cars for the dealers & the export order that provided seed money for Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) who used the tooling, etc, to build the Kaiser Carebella from 1957 until 1963 when the body tooling wore to the point where it could no longer be used.
Title: Re: '54 Kaiser Manhattan shop manuals
Post by: retroguy on June 10, 2020, 11:45:34 AM
Thank you very much.  I shall begin my search.
Title: Re: '54 Kaiser Manhattan shop manuals
Post by: mbflemingkf on June 10, 2020, 02:42:23 PM
Retroguy, I have all the manuals listed and other literature for the 54 Kaiser but its all in storage until our new house gets completed in mid-July.

If you're still looking in a month or so please reach out.  I'll be looking to liquidate all my shop and parts manuals (for all years) which are in great condition.

Regards,
Mike Fleming
mbfleming@aol.com
Title: Re: '54 Kaiser Manhattan shop manuals
Post by: rrdcorvair on June 10, 2020, 11:37:25 PM
As of tonight there is a nice 1951 Kaiser shop manual with a 52/53 supplement for sale on ebay for about $80 and has free shipping.
Title: Re: '54 Kaiser Manhattan shop manuals
Post by: retroguy on June 15, 2020, 09:19:09 AM
Thank you all for your feedback