Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Henry J & Allstate Forum => Topic started by: Fid on July 01, 2020, 12:25:46 PM
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It's been awhile but since April I have improved the Allstate by leaps and bounds. No idea there was so much work to do on a vehicle the seller informed me was a "turn key" car.
I'm happy to report that after much hard work the Allstate now runs and drives as well as any of my other Js.
Here's what I've done since April:
New Piston rings
New valve seats
Rebuilt overdrive transmission
New throw out bearing
New wire harness (since Bob McBride has passed, I had to make my own - I have a lot more respect for him now that I have done one!)
New voltage regulator
Resurfaced flywheel
All new body to frame mounting pads (what a difference this made!)
Repaired seat adjuster
Carburetor rebuilt
I finally got the paperwork done to get a title and license so now I can drive it and it's doing great.
Now to be fair, none of these tasks would affect whether or not the key could be turned...
Regardless, I took it out for a quick photo op this morning.
With everything else done now, I can focus on the "fun stuff" like new knobs, a radio (just purchased an Allstate radio) and other such accessories.
I am confident I can make this Allstate great again!
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It looks like a brand new one now. We are happy that it runs like a new one also. Enjoy!
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Great job ! Hope you enjoy it !
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I picked up this Allstate radio on ebay. I've seen several different Allstate radios and I don't know if one is preferred over the other but I replaced 2 components in this one and it plays absolutely great! I was also amazed by how clean it is inside and the speaker is pristine. Usually the speakers in these are trashed.
I'll be putting it in the car soon.
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Addendum - much to my disappointment, this type of Allstate radio would not mount well in an Allstate car. There is not enough clearance behind the dash and it would stick out way too far and you'd hit your knee on it.
Too bad as this one I have is in great shape and plays great. I'll just keep it for my Allstate paraphernalia collection.
I do have a very nice Henry J radio I may just have to install that one for now.
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Signal lights installed today. This will make me feel somewhat safer when I drive it!
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I know exactly how you feel after driving mine partially complete without signals OR rear view mirrors.
Your project is coming along quite nicely!
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I should also point out that this website was a godsend in helping me with the wiring. The NOS Allstate 814 signal light kit I got had no instructions or diagrams with it.
This site was my saving grace. I'm posting it because I'm sure others will benefit from it too
https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/turn_signal.htm
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I found a place in St. Paul that was willing to try to convert some HJ wheel covers to Allstate wheel covers. It wasn't cheap and I had to provide them with a donor they could try it on first. No problem as I have a couple dozen of them. Anyway they did four of them for me and they look great! Not only did they remove the 'K' and replace it with a blank but they straightened and polished them too. They look so nice I hate to put them on the car now. There's only two issues and neither is really worth a mention but the blank is flat whereas on the originals they were slightly domed and if you look at them with light hitting them right you can faintly detect the grain in the stainless they used for the blank but you really have to look for it. I am very happy with the finished product but it likely would not be profitable to have some more done. If anyone is interested and having some done contact AAA Metal Finishing in St. Paul, MN. They're on the web at http://www.aaametalfinishing.com/
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That is a great solution to getting a set of these impossible to find Allstate wheel covers. I am sure that if you told them you want a little curve in the centers they could easily do it. Congratulations on a fine idea and I'll bet they look great on your Allstate.
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That is one great looking Allstate! I love your dedication to the details - really makes it special.
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Nice Allstate Lowell, cant say I know what that part is but it looks like a parking brake splitter for something. As for Wheel covers I've been looking for 1 for a long time. They have shown up now and then typically 3 and there like me looking for one more. When that fiberglass car people kept thinking was some prototype Darrin was out there, he had four of them! But would not let them go, I have given up for the most part since then.