Messages

1

Judging & Factory Correct Discussions / Re: To judge our cars or not.

« on: March 02, 2019, 01:40:02 AM »

Judging requires standards, otherwise it quickly devolves into popularity contests or undocumented or undocumentable opinions.  And yes some folks take a sense of pride in “knowing” more than others, sometimes voicing opinions tactlessly.

 But there is a place for the standards, and for restoring cars. that standard is factory issue (or should be).  That is where I found value in this club, the kind instruction on mechanical and aesthetic particulars really helped when I got mine and was curious.  And I want to know what is correct.  Sometimes and for various reasons, economic, part availability or scarcity, reliability, personal preference I will knowingly depart.  And again, there is value in knowing from what I am departing.  So thanks to those who have been in the trenches with this information and willingness to share. 

I go to few shows where there is judging, doesn’t matter to me, but it does bring some cars out that would otherwise remain in garage.  And on that subject, there is a lot of interest in original (or long used but unrestored) cars evidencing their patina (like I do).  Perhaps merely a grouping or recognition of this class of car will engender some interest.

2

General Discussion / Re: 1954 Manhattans

« on: August 07, 2017, 09:46:23 PM »

Well, here's mine.  I'd say it is reliable, drive it every couple of months and is great for cruising with friends or grandkids.  Really does turn heads

3

Kaiser Forum / Re: Exhaust leak into the cooling system on a 225 Kaiser 6 Cylinder??

« on: February 17, 2016, 11:39:14 PM »

I may be too late into this particular discussion but as a protocol, I agree with the revised torque sequence, almost all head gaskets will seat better working inside out.  A few recommendations:
-Clean all surfaces
-Run straightedge on head (have machine shop grind straight if warped) yippee incrementally higher compression.
-use new bolts if possible
-chase all threads and blow clear
-coat bolt threads, shaft and head mating surfaces with anti seize lubricant
-perform the torque sequence in stages, first torquing to 20# then 30# finally pulling to final spec'd torque using smooth pulling motion avoiding jerks.

Looks like you have done more disassembly so lapping the valves would be a great prophylactic procedure and pretty simple at this point, I haven't bought valve grinding compound in a few years and have a now antique hand cranked oscillating grinding tool. Pretty simple and you can inspect valves and seats for cracks or blow by.
     

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General Discussion / Re: Monthly President's Message

« on: December 13, 2015, 10:10:55 PM »

I hav been a member about a year. The club, especially the CD provided with technical information has been very helpful.  I have seen some concern that the club is waning.  Shoot, I'm in my 60's and am just joining!  But when I bought my 54 Manhattan it was (in part) to replace the 51 Willys wagon I sold to my son-in law. He's in his 40's.  He also owns a Crosley which had been his grandfather's.  Joint meets, especially among enthusiasts of "orphan" makes seems a great idea to me.  I also have a Studebaker, and have owned Peugeots and Alfas.  Hats off to Joe for being the club ombudsman that he is.  He seems to be online constantly and always seems to encourage.  I for one think joint meets with a less parochial spirit would be good for the club and the old car hobby overall.  My car is not a pristine example, in fact I am fond of the patina of survival.  So on a showfield mine would not point out well, but my grandkids pile in it and enjoy the ride, I pick up friends and cruise to out of town eateries down quaint 2 lane roads.  Tours would be good stuff too.  As to newsletters, I wonder the value of the printing and postage.  Online communication about meets, items for sale and member updates would be just as effective.  A quarterly color missive with technical info or showcasing either survivors or quality restorations would be of interest.

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General Discussion / Re: Kaiser Gets Big Attention at Studebaker Meet

« on: September 21, 2015, 08:02:25 PM »

Drove my 54 Manhattan to car show weekend before last,  loaded with grandsons then to work last Monday taking a young associate to meeting in it. Drove my model at to see a 98 year old gentleman who drove it around church yard about 15 years ago.  Then today drove my 24 Stude Spl Six to work today. Get em out!   Young folks are amazed, no point of reference, and bring tears to older folks eyes.

6

General Discussion / Re: RUDY PHILLIPS CRUSHES KAISERS

« on: September 07, 2015, 11:00:42 PM »

Reading this thread with a bit of ennui.  I purchased a 54 Manhattan last winter for the sheer uniqueness of it.  And in driving it around it has garnered quite a bit of attention, comment and thumbs up.  One of the younger engineers in my firm thought it the coolest thing he had ever seen, and he has seen my Alfa's and E type Jag.  It is just that unique in appearance, period!  It is not a show stopper but clean and decent from 20'.  And I now have everything functioning (rebuilt horn ring and finished installation of electric fuel pump today) with exception of the period aftermarket A/C.  A sagging market is a mixed bag.  I may have overpaid for mine but I bought it to enjoy not as a speculative investment.  Read just last night of a 1939 Alfa 6C 2500 sport bought for $300 in 1970 and it sold at auction for 2.1M.  I bought a Model t in 1968 for $400 hard grass cutting money.  The Alfa was the better speculation. But my T was not owned by Mussolini and I did not spend $750k on the restoration.  In fact just finished restoring that T last year after 46 years apart, and my grandkids love riding in it.  And the custom or resto-mod craze has its benefits too.  Popularity and the Internet made restoration of my 1933 Plymouth a lot easier a few years back.  It was my Greatgranddads car new. 

Brings be to a question on my Kaiser's history.  In looking at the Hub garage pictures of Darin 502, I think I see my car at Rudy's, just depends on time of picture. The first picture is at Rudy's, the other of my car now in TN.  I note the green painted wire wheels with Mopar hubcaps, the yellow KF Foglights, and most telling (I believe) the same yellow (1979 Missouri) inspection sticker in the lower left of the windshield.  The owner from whom I purchased the car had replaced the dry rotted tires with the current thin whites.  I have some Coker's to go on it soon. Anybody out there able to weigh in on this speculation?  Enjoyed my Labor Day playing w/ the Kaiser.

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Kaiser Forum / Re: Newby Owner

« on: March 12, 2015, 12:49:48 AM »

About 10 years ago my wife and I drove from Nashville to Calais Maine to pick up a 24 Studebaker special 6, about this time of year, outrunning snowstorms on the way back.  Did a local trailer rental deadheading up as it was cheaper than the one way rental.  Luckily for me I had business reasons to return to Maine and was able to turn in mileage (which at the time equalled airfare). The client laughed when I turned in mileage for a 3200 mile trip, knowing I had located the car on a previous business trip.  Just cost me a few nights hotel.  This year I only had to drive 15 miles from home to get my new 54 Manhattan, on a sunny Christmas Day.  Best to you.

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General Discussion / Got a good wife

« on: January 12, 2015, 10:45:22 PM »

10 years ago my wife looked at me in early December and said "are you going to get that car or do I have to get you a Christmas present."  She then accompanied me to Maine to fetch my original 24 Studebaker special 6 once the snow melted.  Fast forward to this year, lucky she is red headed and likes green.  This year I drove across town to get this 54 manhattan and drove it home on Christmas Day, proceeding to give friends and grandkids rides.  Just joined club and thanks to Jim Lape I have answers to most all my current questions.  Learned this one on my own yesterday after the heater core took a dump on my garage floor,  drilled small hole thru inner fender to access pesky screw on bottom of heart core casing, better n trying to remove in entirety.  Should be back up this weekend.