Messages

1

Kaiser Forum / Re: Hardened valve seats.

« on: February 13, 2020, 10:41:23 AM »

Thanks everyone.  Some great information.  I tore the engine down.  It does not have hardened valve seats.  I'm going to have them installed.  I towed a camper across the US with this car. It had valve recession. Now planning a trip to Maine, so I think hardened valve seats are a good idea.  Now I have another question; exhaust valve rotators?  They are available for this engine.  I have never heard anything about them at any of the meets.  Any other suggestions for putting this engine together, will be appreciated. 
Thanks,  Dan

2

Kaiser Forum / Hardened valve seats.

« on: February 11, 2020, 10:06:53 AM »

48 Kaiser Special did they come with hardened valve seats. If not should I have them installed as part of a rebuild.

3

Kaiser Forum / Re: Brakes locking up in reverse

« on: April 19, 2015, 07:55:52 PM »

Check your brake fluid you probably have wheel cylinder leaking.

4

Kaiser Forum / Re: how fast does your car go ,,,,,at an easy rpm...

« on: April 13, 2015, 08:11:00 PM »

We have a 1948 Kaiser Special with overdrive, with a 4:10 rear end.  We towed a teardrop trailer from Ann Arbor, MI thru the UP on US 2.  Our tires were one size bigger than originally equipped.  We ended up in the Olympic Pennisula in the state of Washington.  Then a more southern route thru Colorado, back home.  7400 miles total.  According to our GPS the speedometer was 5 miles an hour under the actual speed we were traveling.  We ran across the scales at 5210 lbs.  Our average mileage for the entire trip was 16.3 miles per gallon.  We had no problems with the car.  We went across three mountain ranges and our highest altitude was 10,800 feet.  We climbed in 2nd gear at 23 mph. in a 7 percent grade for over 20 miles.  We were climbing one mountain range and we were passed by a school bus!!  The addition of overdrive on this car, made a heck of a difference.  My understanding is, that 48' Specials didn't come from the factory with overdrive.  When it's just the two of us and no trailer we get about 21 mpg.  However our speedometer is about 8% off.

5

Kaiser Forum / 1969 Jeepster

« on: April 10, 2015, 01:54:45 PM »

I have a 1969 Jeepster It has been sitting for 20 years. We are getting ready to put our house up for sale after 36 years. I was looking it over deciding what to do with it. When I noticed a tag on the firewall that said manufactured by Kaiser Jeep corp. The V.I.N. is 8705F1757745 My question, is this thing worth anything for parts or should I scrap it. It has V6 standard trans. 4x4 I drove it in where it's parked but the body is very rusted. I would welcome any input or offers. danshanfleck@hotmail.com

6

General Discussion / Re: Trip across US

« on: August 30, 2013, 10:51:59 AM »

Our trip is less than a week away.  I have replaced the brakes, wheel cylinders, idler arm, king pins, points, condenser, plugs and all the fluids.  I downloaded and printed the Napa Interchange, bought the blue service manual and the parts manual.  I bought a transmission with an overdrive solenoid at the National Convention.  So hopefully we are ready to go!  I thank everyone for all the great suggestions.  As we head west from MI across US 2 to Seattle, and then head done thru Colorado, we love to see your K/F cars.  You can email us at danshanfleck@hotmail.com and you can follow our blog at teardropkaiser.wordpress.com
Dan Fleck

7

General Discussion / Re: Trip across US

« on: May 29, 2013, 08:19:51 AM »

Thanks for all the responses and great suggestions.  Can anyone help us out with our route on US 2 across the northern US?
Has anyone driven across the Rockies, this route?  Should we expect snow in September?  Is there anything along this route we shouldn't miss? Know of good camping sites? Hope to meet some of you at the National, in Shipshawana, IN the first week in August.  I'll have car and trailer there.
thanks, Dan

8

General Discussion / Re: Trip across US

« on: May 02, 2013, 10:01:16 AM »

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.  I do not have the NAPA Interchange or a service manual, but will now be on the look out for them.  I do plan to take a roster.  I also plan to go thru the brakes and change all the fluids before we go.  I have new starter,generator, fuel pump, and water pump, plus a carb overhaul kit. However I am undecided as to whether I should install these parts before I go, or leave them on my work bench to be shipped to me if needed?  I already keep all light bulbs, points & condenser, coil and fan belt in the car. (Thanks to Curt Bonser). 
A few more questions have come to mind.  I am wondering about lead additive? Should I run it?  I have been using it.  When the overdrive is off, will these cars compression brake down a mountain?   I don't mind going 30 mph up the mountain, but I don't want to go 85 mph down the mountain!  Should I change the float level in the carb prior to going over the mountain?  Has anyone ever had a drive shaft center support brg fail?  Mine makes no noise and rolls good, but I'm suspect.
Thanks again.

9

General Discussion / Trip across US

« on: April 25, 2013, 12:12:23 PM »

My Wife and I are planning a trip in our 1948 Kaiser Special, from Ann Arbor, MI to Seattle,WA, to Denver,CO and back to Michigan.  We are leaving the 1st week in Sept. and plan on being gone 6-8 weeks.  Our  trip will begin from Manchester, MI (just outside Ann Arbor, MI) to the Upper Peninsula of MI where I will pick up US Route 2 and travel across the Northern United States.  We will be pulling a 1947 Tourer Teardrop camper.  It weighs 720 lbs. empty.  I estimate our load at approximately 1000 lbs.
We purchased the car 10 years ago from Curt Bonser in Manhattan, KS.  It had 85000 miles on it at that time.  Curt purchased it from Lawrence Nekola, of Cedar Rapids, IA, April of 1998, with 76000 miles on it.  The car now has 94000 miles on the odometer.  Though it is a Kaiser Special, it has overdrive.  As close as I can tell, the engine was redone and the overdrive installed in the 1980's.  It also has an electric fuel pump.  The car runs and drives well.  I am 59 and I have worked as a mechanic for over 40 years, 25 of which I owned my own shop.
Every Kaiser Meet I've attended, I have been amazed at the wealth of knowledge the members share.  I welcome any advice any of you have for me.  Such as a tool list, spare parts I should bring, spare parts I should leave on my tool bench, (to be shipped to me if needed), pre-trip maintenance, suggestions about going over the Rockies, the route from Seattle to Denver, etc.
I am considering installing an alternator on the car to chg a 12 volt battery, so we can power the trailer with an inverter in case we have to camp somewhere without electricity.  I welcome all ideas and suggestions about the car or trip.   Thanks