Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: A custom made Kaiser-Frazer

« on: November 15, 2019, 07:06:43 PM »

Sure wish I could find this article/narrative. I have perused the undiscovered classics website.and can't find it. Any chance of someone providing a URL to the narrative itself.

2

Kaiser Forum / Re: How do I get my wheels with radial tires onto the rear wheel drums ??

« on: October 04, 2019, 09:37:17 PM »

Success!!
After considering all of the excellent suggestions, I decided to go with using my floor jack to lift the driver's side frame-rail.
I used this challenge as a reason to justify purchasing a cross-beam attachment for my floor jack (only $40 at Harbor Freight, after using a 20% off coupon).
The beam permitted spreading out the stress  on the frame (the lifting plates are rubber-faced and individually height adjustable).
I really recommend this cross beam to anyone looking to buy one. Thank you, once again, to everyone who offered suggestions.

3

Kaiser Forum / Re: A 5 inch round hole in my firewall

« on: October 04, 2019, 06:23:55 PM »

Thanks Joe,  There is a firewall flange in the engine compartment.
I haven't actually purchased the black neoprene jacketed flex hose yet, so I didn't realize it will be large enough to attach to the outside of the flange.
I thought that the flex hose was supposed to pass "through" the flanged hole, because that is how I found the old  factory original flex hose ... which was little more than a copper-wire "slinky" that I found hanging down into the passenger compartment and tangled around the brake pedal. 

It hadn't occurred to me that the hose was intended to mount to the "outside" of the flange... I thought it was supposed to pass "through the flange... I now know I was mistaken.

4

Kaiser Forum / Re: A 5 inch round hole in my firewall

« on: October 04, 2019, 07:30:53 AM »

Thanks Joe,
I understand the "under-the-hood" part.
I have even found a source for a black neoprene flexible tubing that I consider an acceptable substitute for the factory-original black "tar paper" version.
But what I can't figure out is the part "inside the passenger compartment". 
That flex tubing didn't just "hang there" above the driver's foot, did it?
Wasn't it "attached to something" inside the vehicle?

5

Kaiser Forum / Re: A 5 inch round hole in my firewall

« on: October 03, 2019, 01:58:25 PM »

It took me a while to figure out how to get a photo off of my phone and into my computer.
Here is a view from the inside of the passenger compartment.
Please ignore the steel screen mesh, it is something that I put on the "under-the-hood side" to keep small animals out of the car.

6

Kaiser Forum / Re: How do I get my wheels with radial tires onto the rear wheel drums ??

« on: October 03, 2019, 01:44:18 PM »

Thanks everyone, for some really good suggestions and cautions. I will let you know how things go.  As for the question asked by superk226, the wheel that I removed had a very old bias ply tire that was much narrower in the sidewall area. I no longer have it, because I dropped that wheel off earlier today at Discount Tire ,and I neglected to notice the tire size. I can tell you that it was an Atlas tire, which used to be sold (exclusively, I think) by Standard Oil back in the late '40s and early '50s when my dad worked at a Standard Oil filling station. So that tire was really old.

7

Kaiser Forum / How do I get my wheels with radial tires onto the rear wheel drums ??

« on: October 02, 2019, 12:53:15 PM »

I am not concerned about judging. I just want to be able to safely drive my '54 Kaiser Manhattan, and preferably economically.

The tires I have been buying (one at a time, because I'm not drivable yet) are Sentry Touring 205/70 R15 96T SL BSW (black side walls) which are amazingly affordable at $50 each (plus tax & tire mounting) at Discount Tire Co. They look great on the front wheels, but I am now "wrestling", with the rear wheels. I have the stainless trim off of the rear wheel well, which improves clearance "a little". I have raised the differential about as high as my low-profile floor jack can extend, and I still can't get the width of the sidewall to pass between the center protrusion (spindle) of the rear axle hub and the fender itself. I am considering removing the cotter pin and the hex nut on the spindle, which just might give me just a tad more "wiggle room" to get the sidewall past the spindle head, but I'm not sure that even that would help ... (and I suspect there is a "better way").
Any suggestions, anyone??? Should I just admit defeat and call Triple A

8

Kaiser Forum / A 5 inch round hole in my firewall

« on: September 30, 2019, 06:21:35 PM »

There's a 5 inch round hole in the fire wall of my '54 Manhattan, high up under the dash and above, and to the left of, the driver's left foot.
I have remnants of the 5" wire-supported black flexible air vent tubing, still attached under the front of the front fender, so I know "where the air is coming from",
 but inside the passenger compartment, there is "only the hole", so where is this vent tubing "supposed to terminate"?? I think something is missing.

9

Kaiser Forum / Re: 1949 Kaiser Rebuilt Motor

« on: September 29, 2019, 01:08:46 PM »

Thank you, Fid for correcting me. 
But Joe, there is still "hope" for you finding a suitable gas tank.

Desert Valley Auto Parts currently has a '49 Kaiser Vagabond and a '49 Frazer Manhattan, both of which are being parted out. 
So, if you are interested, send them a parts inquiry from the following web address:   
https://www.dvap.com/request-a-part/

10

Kaiser Forum / Re: 1949 Kaiser Rebuilt Motor

« on: September 29, 2019, 09:50:36 AM »

Hi Joe, Glad toy "returned to your project" (and this forum) Good luck getting her..it back on the road again. I don't have a gas tank, but I am pretty sure you can find one at Desert Valley Auto Parts (dvap.com). I don't know if a tank from just any "senior" Kaiser will do, but I  suspect that K-F used the same tank on all 47-55 models (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

11

Kaiser Forum / Re: Repro aluminum door sills (tread plates) for '51-'55 body style Kaisers ??

« on: September 27, 2019, 07:48:27 PM »

Thanks fellas... I will give Rudy a try.

12

General Discussion / Re: Rusted bottom of center post at bottom hinge of back door ('54 Manhattan)

« on: September 27, 2019, 07:47:07 PM »

It finally dawned upon me that what I really need is for someone parting out  a 51-55 Kaiser 4 door to saws-all  a chunk of the  base of the B-pillars (above the bottom hinge for the back doors). These chunks of door frame should be mostly rust-free and suitable for welding. I have found a couple of ads from people who are parting out late model Kaisers, and have texted them to see if they have what I need. If anyone in this forum is parting out a 4 door and has what I need, please let me know. Thanks!

13

Kaiser Forum / Repro aluminum door sills (tread plates) for '51-'55 body style Kaisers ??

« on: September 27, 2019, 07:49:56 AM »

Are reproduction tread plates available anywhere?  Or good used ones? 
I need the front door plates (left and right) for a 4 door ('54 Manhattan)
I couldn't find this topic addressed elsewhere.

14

Kaiser Forum / Re: Body mounts (and where exactly is our "club store" ??

« on: September 27, 2019, 07:45:38 AM »

Thank you, Joe.

15

General Discussion / Rusted bottom of center post at bottom hinge of back door ('54 Manhattan)

« on: September 26, 2019, 08:11:45 PM »

Does anyone know where I can find support pieces for this weakened part of my B-pillars??