Messages

1

Kaiser Forum / Re: Courtesy Lights

« on: April 03, 2018, 07:48:55 PM »

If this is two-door, only the under-dash lights operate with the door. It's relatively simple to also ground the pillar lights to the door switches so they activate too.

2

Parts For Sale & Wanted / Re: 54 K inner trunk brace

« on: June 30, 2013, 01:54:47 PM »

Rather than rebuild the existing lid, a lid from any 1953-55 Kaiser will fit the body and mount on the same hinges - and has the same handle.  The 1951-52V- 52 lid is essentially the same piece of metal but used external hinges so it's drilled for them.  The 1951 and 1952 Virginian had a large handle & license plate holder on the lid too so it wouldn't be a great choice.

3

Kaiser Forum / Re: Starter hangs in flywheel

« on: November 12, 2011, 02:54:49 AM »

The later Hydra-matic starters had a "locking" Bendix.  The unit stays engaged with the flywheel until it turns fast enough to break the lock.  The intent was, in the event of a hard start, keeping the Bendix engaged prevented any flywheel damage.

Take the starter apart and clean and lubricate the Bendix so ti clears the flywheel faster.

4

Kaiser Forum / Re: Wire wheel center cap

« on: November 11, 2011, 12:19:59 PM »

Motor Wheel made wire wheels for heavy cars (like a Chrysler New Yorker, Imperial) and lighter cars with different spoke designs (like Dodge).  Those wheels on eBay are for a heavy car.  The light wires have spokes that are longer and closer to the edge of the rim.

A reasonable substitute for the plain center cap are Chevrolet Vega caps but they don't fit really well.  Doe anyone know of a source for those pressed caps that fit the Motor Wheel wheels?

5

Kaiser Forum / Re: Pillar light function

« on: November 11, 2011, 12:10:01 PM »

The pillar lights are not operated by the door switches on a 2-door Manhattan - just the under dash lights are activated.  I created a "Y" adapter (out of pieces from an old harness) to provide grounding for the pillar lights in addition to the under dash lights so all light up when the doors are opened.  That plug is behind the left kick panel.

6

Parts For Sale & Wanted / Re: Wheel Cylinders

« on: November 11, 2011, 11:56:37 AM »

New reproductions of both front and rear wheel cylinders are available from Willow Run KF Parts for the slabsiders, Henry J, Darrin and 1951-55 Kaisers.  These are complete with the wheel cylinder kits installed:  http://kfparts.com/

7

Kaiser Forum / Re: antenna location - again & manifold question

« on: May 23, 2009, 01:42:28 PM »

Antenna installation:  The factory put them on the right fender and dealer installs put them on the left fender.  Don't know why the difference.  All factory photos and all pictures of cars on the K-F assembly line have them on the right fender.

8

Kaiser Forum / Re: Bleeding Brakes

« on: May 23, 2009, 01:33:19 PM »

Motive Products sells a very nice USA-made power bleeder (for the one-time cost of Capn Frazer's dinner!) that fits the master used on the 1951-55 Kaiser (and 1949-51 Ford).  The unit holds up to two quarts of fluid and can provide up to 20 psi of pressure (too much for a K-F!).  This way you can move at your own pace and work on your own.

9

General Discussion / Re: Supercharger info needed

« on: May 23, 2009, 01:22:35 PM »

The McCulloch supercharger was standard equipment on the 1954 and 1955 Manhattans models only.  Horsepower was bumped up from 118 to 140 with the s/c.  McCulloch (the later "Paxton" also came from Robert Paxton McCulloch's name) sold supercharger add-on kits for a variety of cars while Ford, Studebaker and Kaiser installed them from the factory.  It was a popular and inexpensive way of boosting horsepower and performance.  Go to http://vs57.com/ to learn more about these superchargers.

10

General Discussion / Re: Kaiser vinyl and paint

« on: May 23, 2009, 01:12:12 PM »

Bouncle vinyl was used on on the seats and headliner on 1954 & 1955 Kaisers.  SMS Auto Fabrics ( http://www.smsautofabrics.com/ ) reproduces the vinyl is different weights (softer for seats or heavier weight for headliner) and in the correct colors.

Paint colors can be matched but EPA regulation on VOCs has changed the types of paints available.  Original paint chips usually include the mix codes and a good auto paint can match the original color.