KF Engine Swap

[joefrazer]

I've had a few folks write and ask about the KF to Chevrolet engine swap information I mentioned in another thread. So it's not lost, I thought I'd start a new thread with the information.

This was taken from a 1985 edition of our club Quarterly.

The templates on pages one and two when reproduced on 8 1/2 x 11 paper are actual size.

[FleetMaster]

Has anything been similarly done upgrading the rear axle with the V8 conversion?  In particular could the factory rear end handle the V8 power?  Were brakes upgraded as well?  Just trying to add inforamtion to my working tool box of information.

Scott K

[joefrazer]

The hydramatic rear axle is capable of handling a V8. A friend installed a 402BB in his 52 and used the stock axle and brakes.

[hj-etx]

The rear end used in 51-55 Kaisers is a Dana 44. This was used in many applications with many manufacturers in later years. For instance it was a performance option for Camaros and Firebirds in the early 1980s.
The drawback is there are only a limited number of ratios that were used by Kaiser and 2 of them, 3.50 and 4.09 were not that common even when new.
In regards to brakes, I think the important consideration is how to install a power booster. The common way is to find a Bendix HydraVac unit.

[hj-etx]

FleetMaster, now that I look at your list of owned cars, I would think you would know and trust Dana 44 rearends since your Studebakers and the Hudson have them.

[FleetMaster]

Dana 44's with the later fine splines at the differential carrier agreed to be bullet proof and well trusted.  First years still very good but the coarse splines will RARELY fail.  The 48 Frazer is where I am wondering how well the rear end can handle torque.  I have access to an Olds 303 from 1951 with hydramatic  6 volt very sound operating condition.  Depending on what I find as the Frazer is fully evaluated I would consider this engine transplant if the rest of the car would stay intact.  Factfindng only, prefer original by far,

[joefrazer]

The early series cars (47-50) have a narrower engine bay than the 51-up cars so you'll probably end up relocating the battery but aside from that, the engine will fit. A member from southern Ohio had a 303 in a 49 Virginian and I remember as a kid how he liked to show off the fact that the car no longer had the KF six in it by roaring past everyone on the highway. He had it mated to a standard transmission and did not change the rear end.

[boatingbill]

KaiserBill on his website (Kaiserbill.com) had a pictorial of restoring a '51 Club Coupe which is still there. Part of the restoration
showed him cutting the frame at the firewall and welding a '68 Chev Nova frame to it giving a modern front end and engine. I can't
find the part of how he did that in his restoration photos, but the pictures of the V8 are still in the pictorial. Maybe the Club
could get him to re-post the procedure. I just wonder where to get a Chev Nova sub frame from the late 60's ?

[r1lark]

Joe, was there other pages included in the engine swap article? If so, can you post them also?

[HJ-ETEX]

FleetMaster: KF cars prior to 1951 used Dana 30 rearends. I can't say with certainty what a 51 Frazer has since they were reworked at the factory from unsold 50 Frazers. But since some 51 Frazers are reported to have HydraMatics, it seems the Factory was willing to do some in depth modifications.

[HJ-ETEX]

I have not seen Kaiser Bill's frame splicing but I have 2 comments about such proposals.
1) 51-55 Kaiser frames are not as solid as you may think. In 1947, KF had problems getting steel and I think the big crush was special steel such as would be used in the frame. Get under a pre-51 car and a 51-55 car and compare the frames. The 51-55 frames are less substantial, but lighter and used less steel. Jack up a 51-55 car in the wrong place and you will dent the frame rails. This project isn't just remove the front clip and shove the stub frame underneath either. There may be more bracing required than you think.
2) You really haven't measured the track (width) of a 68- 74 Nova stub frame (67-69 Camaro) have you? I have seen a 50 Ford, a 54 Kaiser, and a 50 Kaiser with the GM stub frame. The wheels, even with a generous negative offset poke out the wheel openings. 
If you really want a modern suspension, you should consider using the whole chassis from a 1977-87 GM B body car. At least 2 members have done this and the results look quite nice.

[Corsairdeluxe]

This is a stub specifically designed for the Henry J being welded to the frame. It uses Mustang ll components. With no tie rods to worry with, you can drop in most anything you can afford.

[boatingbill]

HJ-ETEX, you are correct about the 51-55 frame being a "C" shape and a weaker design. I believe kaiserbill boxed the frame
to with stand the added power of the V8.