Messages

1

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: DISTRIBUTOR

« on: February 24, 2025, 09:54:13 PM »

The cap, points, rotor, condenser and vacuum advance do not interchange between the units, however, you can swap out the whole distributor and either will work just fine.  I had a Delco unit in my '52 HJ Vagabond for years.  Everything else was Autolite but when I acquired and rebuilt the engine it was missing the distributor. I had a Delco unit and installed and it worked fine.  I eventually found an NOS Autolite unit and installed that only to keep the car authentic but functionally, they both worked just fine.  My Allstate had a Delco unit in it when I got it.  It worked fine despite the rest of electrics were Autolite and the parts list indicated it should have Autolite.  I eventually found an Autolite unit for the Allstate as well and again just installed it to keep the car authentic but both units worked just fine in it.  The timing and dwell angle is different between the two but just set it to the spec for that unit and they work fine.

2

Kaiser Forum / Re: New Here & New Owner

« on: January 12, 2025, 09:54:03 PM »

This Graham-Paige Frazer was rotting away at French Lake Auto Parts for a couple of years.  I tried to pull a few things off of it but most of it was just too far gone.  It's the only GP Frazer I've happened across in all my years of scouring that midwest for KF (GP) products.  Unfortunately, it was crushed a few months ago.
Kudos to you for saving a rare one.  Plenty of help here as you go through your restoration process

3

Parts For Sale & Wanted / Re: needed HJ disributor mounting bracket/clamp

« on: December 15, 2024, 10:51:00 PM »

I checked my stock. I don't have one.  I think I sold it last year.

4

Parts For Sale & Wanted / Re: needed HJ disributor mounting bracket

« on: December 14, 2024, 11:33:59 PM »

What do you mean by "mounting bracket?"   The part that bolts to the engine which is used to adjust the timing?  Do you need one for Delco or Autolite.  I may have one for Delco.

5

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: Henry j and Allstate heaters

« on: December 10, 2024, 10:13:06 PM »

It's hard to say what they might be worth.  It depends on a number of factors: Do the cores leak? Do the fan motors run?  How rusty are they?  General condition.  I can only offer that having bought and sold a couple of them over the past several years, there's not a big demand. Of course that can change at anytime depending on who's looking.  Do you have pictures to post?  That would help quite a bit.

6

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: 1953 Allstate from estate auction Photos

« on: November 23, 2024, 08:31:00 PM »

I have to agree with Joe Frazer.  If you get the car running and roadworthy, it will be a hit wherever you show it. My Allstate has non-original upholstery in but no one knows or cares when I show it. They just look at it with amazement knowing that Sears once sold cars and there are few examples that survive.  Yours is one that did - be glad and enjoy the fact that it did!

7

Henry J & Allstate Forum / Re: 1953 Allstate from estate auction Photos

« on: November 02, 2024, 01:13:40 PM »

I saw the car listed at the auction.  Thanks for the update and pics!  Based on the pics, which shows the data tag for confirmation, this car was originally a six cylinder car with overdrive - very rare for an Allstate.  Strange that the engine was replaced with four cylinder as usually it's the other way around, the four cylinders engines are replaced with a six cylinder.  Look like a good car for someone to get running/roadworthy and enjoy!  It has Henry J hubcaps on it as the true Allstate hubcaps/wheel covers are next to impossible to find.  It does have the two blank backup light covers - those are very hard if not impossible to find so that's a big plus.  Seems like a good deal for the money.  Here's what the Allstate hubcaps look like; No "K" on them, just a smooth spot.

8

Kaiser Forum / Re: Overdrive issues

« on: October 18, 2024, 12:52:17 PM »

I don't know of a way to test the governor switch without taking it out.  One thing I do to test them when they are out is put them in a drill and hold the governor with a vise.  Put an ohm/continuity tester between the terminal and the "case" of the switch.  Power the drill and the ohm meter should drop to 0 ohms when it's up and spinning.  Actually, you can test if it's shorted while it's in the car - do the same thing, ohm meter from terminal to ground - if it measures 0 ohms from terminal to case it is shorted and will cause the relay to fire constantly  hence keeping the OD engaged at all times. 

9

Kaiser Forum / Re: Overdrive issues

« on: October 17, 2024, 01:42:31 PM »

I had a similar problem.  Does the OD seem to be engaged as you start out from a stop?  If so, the relay is likely sticking.  If the relay sticks, the solenoid will stay engaged and as a result you will not be able to shift into reverse. When I had this problem it was intermittent and replacing the relay fixed it. It's also possible that the wire to the governor switch is worn bare and touching ground somewhere. If this is the case, the relay will remain energized as long as the ignition switch is on.  Take a good look at the wire where it connects to the governor switch and see if it is worn bare.  If so, some electrical tape around it will help.

10

General Discussion / Re: Last Kaiser Search

« on: August 30, 2024, 02:24:34 PM »

StevenRai, tell us all about the KF products you own or have owned.  Your post looks like someone who's only on here to promote their business website.  I've reported it to the moderator so unless you let us know which KF cars you're familiar with it will be removed.  In the meantime, until we can be certain he's a legitimate KF fan, please no one patronize his business.

11

Willys Forum / Re: ignition specifications for 161 engine

« on: August 12, 2024, 04:18:35 PM »

If you look in the shop manual, it specifies the point gap at .020 for Autolite distributors and .022 for Delco distributor equipped. My experience  has been that the Delco systems work much better with the points gapped a .020 

12

General Discussion / Re: kaiser 1951 deluxe handbrake cable.

« on: July 31, 2024, 01:44:13 PM »

What specifically do you need to know about it?  There are two different types - one for the car equipped with Hydramatic and one for those with standard transmission. 

13

Willys Forum / Re: Willys Aero wheel lug bolts

« on: July 22, 2024, 12:42:06 PM »

OK.  On my Continental kit I used DOR 611-072  or  NAPA 6411535 
Perhaps one of them is the same? 
Here's the NAPA listing
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NOE6411535

14

Willys Forum / Re: Willys Aero wheel lug bolts

« on: July 21, 2024, 02:27:40 PM »

Are they bolts, same as those used in Kaiser / Frazer / Henry J?    If so, I have some - let me know.

15

Parts For Sale & Wanted / Re: 1951 1952 Kaiser Manhattan fuel gauge wanted

« on: July 17, 2024, 03:32:23 PM »

I have to concur with JoeFrazer that problems such as you describe are almost always the sending unit.  I had that happen in my Allstate - you'd fill it with gas and the gauge would read empty.  Drive for awhile and the gauge would go to half full.  Keep driving and it goes empty very quickly. Replaced the sending unit and that fixed it.  Had similar problems with my other cars.  It was always the sender, never the gauge itself.  But of course, with anything 70 years old, it could be the gauge but check the sending unit first.  Best of luck and keep us informed.