Messages

1

Judging & Factory Correct Discussions / Re: JUDGING STANDARDS

« on: July 01, 2019, 07:29:54 PM »

Actually most people who bring their cars to be judged don't have much knowledge of what the judges are looking for. Perhaps invite or even REQUIRE people with cars to be judged to sit in with the regular judges instructional meeting?
My years of judging instructed me on what to look for in a car.
I remember more than 1 occasion when when a person showed up with a car on a trailer and said, "Hurry up and judge it. I have to be somewhere."

2

General Discussion / Re: KF Engine Swap

« on: May 01, 2015, 09:56:23 PM »

FleetMaster, now that I look at your list of owned cars, I would think you would know and trust Dana 44 rearends since your Studebakers and the Hudson have them.

3

General Discussion / Re: Value difference between regular Frazer sedan and a Manhattan

« on: May 01, 2015, 09:53:03 PM »

Manhattan! That was a name that worked! It had class! Compare to what they name car models today.
Well, Frazer Manhattans had better upholstery, more trim and tutone paint available. But 47-48 was a seller's market and a lot of the Frazer sold were Manhattans because they were more profit for the company and dealers. So yes, there is a bump in value over a regular Frazer but not much of one.
But things were changing by 1949. All the companies had introduced their postwar cars. Unless you hated GM, you probably considered a 135hp Olds 98 instead of a Manhattan. Right now 1949-50 Manhattans are harder to find as compared to regular Frazers.  Because of the difficulty in finding them I would think the later Frazer Manhattans would have a bigger bump in price over a regular Frazer. 

4

Kaiser Forum / Re: Car Value vs. engine swap

« on: May 01, 2015, 09:31:42 PM »

You know, you didn't mention whether your Manhattan still had the SC set up. Many don't because they could be more trouble that 2nd and 3rd owners wanted to pay to fix.
You can swap a SB Chevy into a 51-55 Kaiser without cutting. Our Club President has scanned in the account on a different forum thread.
I will point out that using a standard transmission may require searching swap meets for a particular bell housing. An automatic actually might be better for general driving. A straight TH350 or a 200R4 may be to your liking.

5

General Discussion / Re: KF Engine Swap

« on: May 01, 2015, 09:00:03 PM »

The rear end used in 51-55 Kaisers is a Dana 44. This was used in many applications with many manufacturers in later years. For instance it was a performance option for Camaros and Firebirds in the early 1980s.
The drawback is there are only a limited number of ratios that were used by Kaiser and 2 of them, 3.50 and 4.09 were not that common even when new.
In regards to brakes, I think the important consideration is how to install a power booster. The common way is to find a Bendix HydraVac unit.