adding a 54 supecharger to a 53

[stroker70]

I have an opportunity to buy a supercharger off a 54 model. I would be installing it on my 53. Can anybody tell me what parts are needed to make the change and is there any differences in the engine itself?  besides the obvious parts ( compressor, bracket, belt and tensioner, carb box and carb, air cleaner, crank pulley, fuel pump, what else should I be looking for in the two boxes of parts that they have? Any sheet metal obstacles to hurdle?  Feel free to discourage me if you are so inclined. What should I expect to pay for a fairly complete set up, and lets say the Supercharger will need a rebuild before use.

thanks

Chris

[joefrazer]

You will need to figure out a way to mount the air cleaner assembly...the 54-5 cars had a section of the right inner fender reconfigured to allow room for the air cleaner. If you have access to a 54-5 K, take a look at how it was done. It can be fairly easily replicated. You'll also need to add an air inlet to the air cleaner. On the 54-5 cars, an inlet was added above the right air vent intake.

Engine modifications included heavier mains to take the load of the supercharger. They also added valve rotators to help reduce burned valves.

Rebuilding a supercharger usually runs about $750...there are a couple of firms that will do it for you. Fortunately, the VS57 unit was used on moire than just a Kaiser so parts parts are available.

Oh, and one more small item...the studs used to mount the carb and box are longer than the 53 units. I found exact replacements at my local hardware store. NAPA probably carries them too.

[stroker70]

I doubt if the air filter is with the parts available so I would likely make something up using a conical type K&N
I was hoping I could get an Idea of what to offer price wise for it, at least a ball park high and low value if all the critical stuff is there.

[HJ-ETEX]

Basically, the mounting & associated parts are more important than the actual SC unit because they are more unique.

[ben-tex]

Stroker the "air box" is a vital part of the SC.

[R-Sargent]

Im thinking to do the same thing to my 51 k 2dr , i am installing the 53-54 style intake since they were lower for clearance issues but it also looks like to me that some modifications will be needed to the radiator support so the front pulley clears on the supercharger. I have seen the air cleaners mounted on the other side above the generator.

[joefrazer]

Regarding the rad and the associated mounting...
1. The fan has a spacer that moves it forward about an inch and a half. This to allow the s/c belt to fit.
2. This means that the rad needs to move forward. In the 54's they just added sheet metal brackets to allow for this.
3. The fan is 1/2" smaller in diameter...17" versus 17 1/2 ". With the fan closer to the rad, the bigger fan hits the upper hose.
4. The upper rad brace that runs from fender to fender has a piece cut out to allow the s/c belt and pulley to fit.
5. The right inner splash pan has a hole cut for an inlet to the air cleaner.

On the engine...
1. The intake manifold differs because the mount studs for the s/c airbox need to be longer.
2. The fuel pump is unique to the s/c equipped cars.
3. The right inner fender was modified to allow for the lower profile air cleaner.
4. There are 2 brackets that hold the air cleaner in place. One doubles as the clamp to hold the intake air hose to the air cleaner.
5. The distributor is different. On the 51-3 cars its a 1110224 unit and the s/c cars used a 1110237. The dwell is different between the two.
6. The water tube for the heater that comes out of the water pump differs on the s/c cars. It has a longer rise to clear the s/c bracket that's mounted on the head.
7. It's only cosmetic, but the cylinder head is different on the s/c cars.
8. The accelerator linkage that crosses the head differs on an s/c car.
9. All 54-5 s/c cars have electric wipers because there was no way to make up a dual diaphram pump and still have the vacuum assist that the s/c uses.
10. The head bolts used to attach the s/c bracket to the car are longer than the rest.
11. You will want to add exhaust valve rotators to lessen the chances for burned valves.

I'm sure there's more!!

[HJ-ETEX]

Specials could have Super Chargers? All Manhattans had electric wipers and the 51 equivalent, the DeLuxe, had electric wipers after an early run of vacuum motors. But you have a point. Since the SC changes the the pressure in the intake from vacuum to pressure. it would render the vacuum wipers inoperative. And possibly rupture some rubber parts.

[Jim B PEI]

Okay...therein lies a question. I take it 54-55 Manhattans couldn't have a vacuum rear window wiper then, so the rare optional accessory was always electric? I have seen the option on one of Dave Hollens' 54 Manhattans. So, from what year WAS the rear wiper available as an option, and were some of them vacuum at one time?

[joefrazer]

The rear wiper kits used a vacuum motor...I have one of the kits. I suspect that anyone wanting to use a vacuum accessory would have to tap into another source...perhaps with a fitting on the intake. I have seen that on one or two cars.

[Jim B PEI]

Okay then, if I had an extra wiper motor, I could install a rear window wiper on my 49 K and plumb it into the same source? I also have one of those little dash fans ditto. I wouldn't imagine using more than one appliance at a time, although I have mastered the "driving uphill in a monsoon" technique

[stroker70]

With all the little changes associated with a Supercharged car, I think I will keep it stock. It would take a doner car to get it right it seems.  Thanks for all the information.

[Kaiser Ranchero]

Stroker, I have a 54 in need of a supercharger. If it is for sale I'd be interested.

[hollenway]

Regarding the rear wiper on the tan 54 I have - it is, as Jim Lape says, run by a vacuum
motor that is under the rear parcel shelf.  There is a rubber hose that runs to there and
then to a dash switch and then to the intake manifold.   The wiper works...... although it's
so slow it would virtually be useless.   Perhaps when the car was new it had sufficient vacuum
to make it work correctly - but these days it's little more than a conversation piece.  This car
also has a full vinyl top, which if it was done by a previous owner, they did one heck of a
nice job.  This car also has a chromed steering housing, shift selector housing and has a
full brown vinyl pleated interior.  The trim tag calls for a standard interior though.... so
it was most likely done by someone who owned the car over the years.  I bought the car
in eastern Pa. and it previously had been registered to a lady by the name of Virginia Clark.
When I called her she told me her late husband had bought the car in Oklahoma.   Lowell
sent a tape of some old midwest meets and I swear I saw this Kaiser in some of the footage. 
These meets were late 60's to early 70's...... so it is possible the car did indeed make the
filming of the tape.

I always enjoy tracking down the history of the cars..... and some of the K/F's I own I have
the original sales papers and even the loan contracts.   It's always interesting to me to see
that people were in debt for cars back then too !!!!!   

[Jim B PEI]

Hmmm....kit for the rear window wiper....you wouldn't happen to have the installation instructions, would you? I would love to receive a copy of such a beast, especially by email.

Now, next question. What year K/F first had this option?