Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => Kaiser Forum => Topic started by: Bobm90 on October 26, 2015, 07:42:36 PM

Title: engine date
Post by: Bobm90 on October 26, 2015, 07:42:36 PM

I know that the engine in my 54 Manhattan Isn't correct, and I would like to know the year it was produced to buy the correct parts for it. Does anyone know where to find a listing of engine serial numbers for Kaiser , the numbers on the side plate are 2178536 and also on the plate is 61662K , the engine was manufactured in Ohio any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: Fid on October 26, 2015, 07:52:13 PM

The Motors Manual lists engine number ranges. The highest number it lists is for 1953 they started with 2130001 for those with Hydramatic. I have the 1955 edition and it does not list the starting numbers for 1954 and '55 Kaisers. One that begins with 217 is likely '53 or later so yours may be correct.

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: Bobm90 on October 26, 2015, 09:23:26 PM

Thanks FID, it has no supercharger and from what I have read it should, looks like it never did, only a single  groove on vibration damper, 1 belt. I am wondering if any Mahattans were equipped with "special" engines.

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: Fid on October 26, 2015, 09:54:26 PM

Does it say "226" on the side? I believe only  the '54/'55s did but someone should clarify that for me.
 

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: Bobm90 on October 27, 2015, 06:56:32 PM

OK it took me a day but I have a poor photo of the side plate, hard to read but it does say 226, the entire plate is discolored hope you can read the photo.

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: joefrazer on October 27, 2015, 07:37:24 PM

1954 and 55 engines would have used the "226" engine plate. 1951 thru 1953, as well as 1954 early Special engines would have used a "Supersonic" plate. If there is no evidence of a supercharger on your engine, it could have come from a 1954 late Special as they used the 226 plate but were not equipped with a supercharger.

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: cplne on October 30, 2015, 01:47:14 PM

Thanks Joe

My 53 that I'm trying to resurrect has a 226 in her.  Must of been changed at some point in time

Title: Re: engine date
Post by: rialto on October 30, 2015, 07:19:39 PM

51-53 and 54 Early Special engines were painted metallic green and had Kaiser Supersonic cast into the cylinder head as well as Supersonic on the side plate. 54-55 Supercharged engines were painted red and had Kaiser 226 cast into the head as well as the 226 side plate. I don't know what color the Late Special engines were.