Fid...More ALLSTATE please

[Fid]

I received the new headlight switch knob and shift lever knob from Rudy today.  Already got them installed. 

I know there was some discussion regarding the difficulty involved when installing the shift lever knob on, not only the Henry J, but on the other post 1950 Kaisers with manual transmissions that have press-on shift lever knobs.
On a previous thread, which I Jaked up to look at, in addition to my suggesting lubing the shaft with Go-jo, Joe Frazer recommended putting the knob in hot water to soften it.  I tried both of those methods and got it about 3/4 of the way on and it would not go any farther no matter how hard I pounded with the rubber mallet.  I then went in and grabbed my hand held blow dryer and heated it all around evenly for quite awhile.  Then I was able to drive it the rest of the way on with the rubber mallet.  Even after this, it still took some pretty aggressive whacks to drive it all the way on.  Rest assured, it won't come off!

That leads me to how to remove the original one.  I just cut into it with a hacksaw till I felt it hit metal then stopped. I then used a side cutters and a hacksaw to gently remove the remains.

The headlight switch knob was a piece of cake as always.  The previous owner had purchased a choke knob from Rudy and I installed that back in March so now I have nice looking knobs in the car.  Good fortune was also with me this week when I found very nice overdrive cable with a dang near perfect knob on it on ebay.  I don't have the ambition to replace that today but when I do, it will be a big improvement over the knicked up one that's in it now.

Progress is being made!

[mark leigh]

Thank you for posting these pics !

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Remember that Allstate engines are NOT products of Continental Engines.  Allstate and Henry J engines were made by Willys-Overland with K-F requested changes (including the cylinder head marking of "Allstate" that required separate cylinder head castings at the foundry Willys used for cast iron part manufacture.

[Terry T]

Remember that Allstate engines are NOT products of Continental Engines.  Allstate and Henry J engines were made by Willys-Overland with K-F requested changes (including the cylinder head marking of "Allstate" that required separate cylinder head castings at the foundry Willys used for cast iron part manufacture.

don't forget about the DARRIN!

[Fid]

Got some more things working on the Allstate. Intalled an Allstate radio, got the lighter working and the light inside the lighter working.  Rebuilt front wheel cylinders and adjusted brake shoes so it stops good now... at least  as good as Henry J (Allstate) brakes ever work...
Here's some pics I took today of the Allstate and my Blue J

[MarkH]

Very nice indeed!

[Fid]

Repaired the cracks and painted the steering wheel over the weekend.  Used the Ford Wimbeldon White and it turned out very nice.  Thanks to all for the suggestion on that color.

[Corsairdeluxe]

Did you paint in place or pull?

[Fid]

Did you paint in place or pull?

I definitely pulled it.  Had to in order to fill the cracks - used Epoxy PC-7 and it works great.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I thought so. The last time I did this I pulled it and ran a dowel through the center. supported the dowel on both ends and slowly rotated the wheel as I sprayed.Worked very well, smooth  and no runs.You do good work. When you take it to a National,bring the title!

[Cortes121]

Fid,

Random question, but my shift knob lever is in 2 pieces (the knob and the cap) is the replacement you bought in 2 pieces? If so, how do you secure the cap? Can I glue it or is that not a good idea? Just putting the cap on it sits somewhat loose and falls off with use of the shift lever.

Thank you,

- Anthony

[Fid]

but my shift knob lever is in 2 pieces (the knob and the cap)

If your shift knob is in two pieces, it is not original.  A lot of them had been replaced already by the 1970s.  The Henry J knob looks like this (see attachment) and there's only one part number for it.  It's simply pressed on and it will stay in place once it is.

[Cortes121]

Ah thanks for the close up photo. Yea my knob is different, but I guess that’s to be expected since it’s on the big Kaiser (2 door sedan) I thought from your earlier photo they were the same between the two. I think my car’s steering wheel, shift knob and radio dial knobs are all replacements - they are in too nice a shape to be original for sure. I remember hearing about the club having a run at manufacturing those parts long ago...

[Fid]

Took these pics yesterday. 

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

Fid ,
Looking Good. Does HJ Radio Sound as Good as the Other Kaiser-Frazer Radios  ?