Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => Kaiser Forum => Topic started by: jreeder41 on March 26, 2009, 06:23:00 AM

Title: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on March 26, 2009, 06:23:00 AM
Here are some recent pics of our shop project car. We just got the frame back from sandblasting. The next step is to remove all the suspension and repair some floor jack damage. I will try to continue updating this as we go along.
Before!

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/Kaiser001.jpg)

Frame.

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser001.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on March 26, 2009, 04:07:31 PM
Engine block. The color is 1953 Nash Harvard Maroon.

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser005.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Logan on March 26, 2009, 05:32:50 PM
Looks good--keep up the good work!
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Weaz on March 26, 2009, 07:06:00 PM
Must be the Jeeper in me, but all I could think about when I saw the pic of the bare frame was, where could you put the transfer case, needs bigger tires, how to lift it three inches, and how do you swap in a live front axle.  :D

Looking good!
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: 84RabbitGTI on March 26, 2009, 09:29:40 PM
So far, so good.  I assume you know this but I'll mention it anyway.  If you are going for an accurate restoration, then the motor on the 51's is actually dark green.  Of course you can do what ever it is you like, I'm just mentioning this so others won't get confused.  Keep up the good work!
Les Mommsen
#6356
Marysville, WA
Early production
1951 Kaiser Deluxe 4dr sedan
Made in Long Beach, CA
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: mbflemingkf on March 26, 2009, 10:04:31 PM
These photos are exciting to see.  Keep them coming and keep up the good work.  Enjoy the ride...Mike
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on March 27, 2009, 10:33:33 AM
Yeah we are going to do a mild custom.  The frame will painted the same maroon color and all the suspension parts will be black with the steering arms and some brackets done in gray. The outer body will be two-tone with the main color being the maroon with a black roof. I hopefully have some pics of the frame painted on Monday. I did remove all the suspension front and rear and steering components yesterday.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on March 31, 2009, 05:58:19 AM
Some more pics.

Frame in primer, hopefully in paint today.

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser011.jpg)

Hood rust repair.

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser007.jpg)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser010.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Fid on March 31, 2009, 08:29:05 AM
It's looking good already. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on March 31, 2009, 10:16:25 AM
Thanks Fid.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Weaz on March 31, 2009, 07:15:24 PM
Way to fix your Kaiser's "gum disease."  :D
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Fabian 51K on April 03, 2009, 11:03:58 AM
You know now that you have showed us pictures of your Kaiser hood repair you are going to have to enlighten us on the details of how you did it. What gauge steed did you use? how much did you cut out? Looks like you MIG and spot welded? I know there are many hoods out there that can probably be repaired in the same manner. My 51 Kaiser was almost as bad as your when I started working on it, but I did not pull off the body. That will be done on Dad's 54 Kaiser the next victim.

Fabian
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Fid on April 03, 2009, 12:32:08 PM
I agree with Fabian. This is a common malady with '51 Kaiser hoods, likely the later ones too.  A good write up on how to fix one would benefit many people.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 03, 2009, 01:16:29 PM
Yes I was thinking that would happen. I did not do the repair myself, my fabricator did. I will see if on Monday he could post how he did it. I know when we discussed the repair he used 18 gauge, mig welder, shrinker & stretcher and our sheet metal brake. I people are interested, I could see if would do up a couple pieces. They would not be cheap, but they will be nice. Wait until I post pics of the trunk lid and painted frame later today! ;D
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 03, 2009, 06:01:31 PM
As promised! Freshly painted frame.

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser017.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 08, 2009, 07:22:19 AM
We are starting the disc brake conversion today. I will post some pics once we get some mock-up done. Hopefully on Saturday we will be installing all the suspension and engine! ;D
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 09, 2009, 11:04:01 AM
Engine is installed!!

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser019.jpg)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser018.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Logan on April 09, 2009, 04:07:03 PM
Very pretty, thanks for the pictures.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Fid on April 09, 2009, 07:45:05 PM
Very impressive -  you've got a lot of work ahead of you but  you'll really have something when you're done. THanks for the progress reports, they are appreciated.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: mbflemingkf on April 09, 2009, 08:32:21 PM
I really like the paint on the exhaust manifold and the water pump.  What did you use on these?  Thanks for the posts.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 10, 2009, 09:27:49 AM
The paint is Eastwood's manifold paint. It is meant to look like a cast gray. We use a brush on, but they do make it in an aerosol can also. Thanks for the compliments. I'm at the shop to install the rear end today, so I will post some more pics this afternoon. If anyone is coming to spring or fall Carlisle we will have the frame there.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Weaz on April 24, 2009, 09:27:03 AM
Hey, jreeder41.

Did we ever get a definitive answer on wether or not the F-100 hood springs were the answer for replacing weak springs in Kaisers?

Let us know...

Can't wait for the next update on this project.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 26, 2009, 02:17:49 PM
Weaz, we replaced the one on the pass sideright before we left for Carlisle last year. I think had we replaced both sides it would work. The pass side wanted to stay up, but I think the drivers was too weak.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 26, 2009, 02:28:14 PM
Back from Carlisle


(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser022.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Weaz on April 26, 2009, 07:48:54 PM
That's pretty hot.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: Logan on April 26, 2009, 09:38:51 PM
You are really cruising through this restoration!  It's taking me weeks and weeks just to do my brakes!  Oh well, full time grad school, 1/2 time work, family, etc.  You know how it goes.  That looks great, buy the way.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 27, 2009, 06:53:35 AM
Thank you guys. It has gone quickly, but remember we have everything we need in our shop to do this which makes it much easier. Before we had the shop this would have taken me months.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: ben-tex on April 27, 2009, 09:03:32 AM
Do you plan to do or have you done the disc brake conversion? Some pics would be nice!
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on April 27, 2009, 04:02:04 PM
I have all the parts I need, just ran out of time before Carlisle. I plan to spend hopefully the next couple Saturdays making the brackets. You can see in the pic the rotors I think.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on May 03, 2009, 01:55:12 PM
I sent in my application for membership and registered for the national convention. I will be bringing the frame up thurs morning. I can't wait to see so many K/F's in one spot!
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: lacyf on May 06, 2009, 10:29:04 PM
I have this idea of useing chevy disc brakes in front and drum in the rear..my thoughts are to use the existing master cyl...will the disc brakes work with out a power unit????thanx
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on May 07, 2009, 05:40:00 AM
That will work, but it is only a single well cylinder. You don't need power and you don't need a dual master cylinder but they are both good ideas if possible. You probably should put a proportioning valve in the system. Is your car auto or standard? Ours being standard has the clutch pivot running through the master cylinder. I think we are going to install a trans swap kit and run a turbo 350. Then we will have space for a power booster and dual master.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: lacyf on May 07, 2009, 12:44:36 PM
Thanks for the info,I think there is a power booster in my future,,,,,,,,,,,,sounds like a much safer approach...
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on June 17, 2009, 03:51:45 PM
Finally got some shop time to work on the Kaiser again. We have the disc brakes all fabbed up. Unfortunately they will not fit under stock wheels and to make them fit would mean starting from scratch on parts and design. I will post some pics tomorrow of the progress. 
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on January 19, 2010, 01:40:40 PM
It's been a while but we have some time in the shop to start up again on the project. I will post some pics as we go.


(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/jonpreeder/51kaiser022.jpg)
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: dpledger on January 20, 2010, 12:00:02 AM
I just finished a similar hood lip repair on my '53-had rusted badly on both the inner and outer parts. What I did appears to have been the same as shown above-used 18 ga on both upper and lower (inner and outer)  sections, and used a stitch welder. I cut and shaped the pieces myself-took some time and required just a couple of cuts and welds to get the exact shape. Made patterns from the original and then duplicated in metal. I have no formal sheet metal bending equipment, but have some dollies I made from wood with the right shapes. Some hours of fussing for sure, but cost me practically nothing for materials, since I've been buying 18 ga in 4x8 foot sheets (four or five to date.) My time is in principle free.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on January 20, 2010, 06:35:50 AM
That is the best way to learn. Too many people go out and spend a fortune on tools and have no concept of what to do with them.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: kaiserfrazerlibrary on January 20, 2010, 10:34:42 PM
Looks nice...frame should be black, engine block and cylinder head castings a shade of green rather than red, but color choice is actually up to the individual.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on January 21, 2010, 06:38:41 AM
Yeah, we are building a mild custom out of this one.
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jmxkf1 on January 21, 2010, 02:45:31 PM
Is that the original rear axle?  What kind of rear springs did you use?    thanks and beautiful job!    Jim
Title: Re: 51 Kaiser restoration
Post by: jreeder41 on January 28, 2010, 04:52:24 PM
Yes that is the og axle and springs. We removed the wrapping that was on them, broke the leafs down to single pieces and blasted them. We then primed and painted each leaf separately. Thanks for the compliment.