1953 Kaiser

Model Designations:

Kaiser Dragon, Series K530, 6 Cylinder

Kaiser DeLuxe, Series K531, 6 Cylinder

Kaiser Manhattan, Series K532, 6 Cylinder

Kaiser Carolina, Series K538, 6 Cylinder

Kaiser Dragon, Series K530 , Body Styles

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5301

Base Price: $2,925; Shipping Weight: 3,320 Pounds;

Production Total: 1,277

Kaiser DeLuxe, Series K531 , Body Styles

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5311

Base Price: $2,513; Shipping Weight: 3,200 Pounds;

Production Total: 5,069

2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5314

Base Price: $2,459; Shipping Weight: 3,150 Pounds;

Production Total: 1,227

4 Door Utility Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5315

Base Price: $2,619; Shipping Weight: 3,315 Pounds;

Production Total: 946

Kaiser Manhattan, Series K532 , Body Styles

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5321

Base Price: $2,650; Shipping Weight: 3,265 Pounds;

Production Total: 18,603

4 Door Utility Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5325

Base Price: $2,755; Shipping Weight: 3,375 Pounds;

Production Total: 0

2 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5324

Base Price: $2,597; Shipping Weight: 3,235 Pounds;

Production Total: 2,342

Kaiser Carolina, Series K538 , Body Styles

4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5381

Base Price: $2,373; Shipping Weight: 3,185 Pounds;

Production Total: 1,136

2 Door Club Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5214

Base Price: $2,313; Shipping Weight: 3,135 Pounds;

Production Total: 308

1953 KAISER

General Specifications

Wheelbase: 118-1/2 Inches

Engine Type: Inline 6 Cylinder, L-Head

Bore & Stroke: 3-5/16" X 4-3/8"

Engine Displacement: 226 Cu. In.

Compresssion Ratio: 7.3 to 1

Taxable Horsepower: 26.3

Horsepower: 118 @ 3,650 RPM

Torque: 200 Ft. Lbs. @ 1,800 RPM

Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI

Rear Axle Ratio:

Standard Transmission: 3.91:1 or 4.55:1

Overdrive: 3.54:1

Hydra-Matic: 4.09:1 or 4.27:1

Carburetor: Carter WGD, 2 Barrel, Models 781S .

Tire Size: 6.70 x 15 inches, Except Dragon which was 7.10 x 15 inches.

Tune Up Specifications

Spark Plug Type: Auto Lite A7, or Equivalent

Spark Plug: Gap .032;

Point Gap: Delco-Remy Distributor: .022"

Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4

Ignition Timing: 4 Degrees Before "0" Mark on Vibration Damper

Cylinder Head Torque: 30-35 Ft Lbs

Engine Idle Speed:

Standard Transmission: 500 RPM

Automatic Transmission: 450 RPM in Drive

Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed: 120 PSI Minimum

Valve Specifications

Tappet Clearance, Cold: Intake: .014"

Exhaust: .014"

Clearance for Timing: Intake: .014"

Exhaust: .014"

Valve Timing: Intake 10 Degrees Before Top Dead Center

Exhaust Closes 10 degrees After Top Dead Center

Valve Seat Angle: Intake 30 degrees; Exhaust 45 degrees,

Valve Spring Pressure: 45 Lbs @ 1-21/32 inches (New Springs)

Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .0008"-.0026"

Exhaust .0032"-.005"

Piston & Ring Data

Pistons Removed from Above

Piston Clearance (Minimum):

Top Land Inch .0255"

Top of Skirt, Inch: .001"

Fitting Pistons with Spring Scale:

Shim Thickness: .0015"

Pounds Pull on Scale: 5-10

Width of Ring End Gap (Minimum):

Compression Ring: .008"

Oil Ring: .008"

Clearance Between Ring & Grooves:

Compression Ring:

Top Ring: .0015"-.004"; Lower Ring: .0015"-.0035"

Oil Control Ring: .001"-.0025"

Engine Bearing Data

Rod Journal Diameter: 2.0619"-2.0627"

Rod Bearing Clearance: .0005"-.0023"

Rod End Play: .006"-.010" inches

Rod Bolt Tension: 40-45 Lbs. Ft.

Main Bearing Journal Diameter: 2.3744"-2.3752"

Main Bearing Clearance: .0015" -.002"

Crankshaft End Play: .004"-.006"

Main Bolt Tension: 85-95 Lbs. Ft.

Capacities

Cooling System: 13-1/2 Quarts Without Heater, 14-1/2 Quarts With Heater

Fuel Tank: 17 Gallons;

Engine Oil Refill: 5 Quarts;

Manual Transmission:

Without Overdrive: 2-1/2 Pints

With Overdrive: 4 Pints

Automatic Transmission: 11 Quarts

Rear Axle: 3 Pints

Delco-Remy Generator & Regulator Specifications:

Generator #1102782

Generator Output: 35 Amperes @ 2,400 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 28 Ounces

Field Current @ 6 Volts: 1.75-1.90 Amperes

Regulator #1118392

Voltage to Close Points: 6.4 Volts

Reverse Current to Open Points: 0-3 Amperes

Armature Air Gap: .020"

Voltage Regulator Setting: 7.4 Volts

Current Regulator Setting: 35 Amperes

Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"

Delco-Remy Starting Motor Specifications:

Standard Transmission:

Part #1107087

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 24-28 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.0 Volts @ 5,000 RPM

Torque Test: 525 Amperes; 3.37 Volts; 12 Ft Lbs of Torque

Hydra-Matic Transmission:

Part #1107088

Rotation: Clockwise

Brush Spring Tension: 24-28 Ounces

No Load Test: 65 Amperes, 5.67 Volts @ 5,000 RPM

Torque Test: 525 Amperes; 3.37 Volts; 12 Ft Lbs of Torque

Delco-Remy Distributor Specifications:

Part #1110224

Rotation: Counter-Clockwise

Cam Angle: 31-37 Degrees

Breaker Point Opening: .022"

Condenser Capacity: .18-.23 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-21 Ounces

Centrifugal Advance Data:

Advance Starts: 3/4 Degrees @ 300 RPM

Full Advance: 10 Degrees @ 1,600 RPM

Vacuum Advance Data:

Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 9-11

Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 14-18

Maximum Vacuum Advance: 5 Degrees

Carter WGD Carburetor Adjustments:

Carburetor #999S & 2052S

Float Level: 9/32"

Idle Screw Setting Turns Open: 1/2 to 1

Pump Adjustment Using Gauge T109-117S: 46 or 1/2" (Short Stroke)

Metering Rod Gauge #T109-163

Fast Idle Adnustment: .018"

Unloader Adjustment: 9/64"

Automatic Choke Setting:

#999S: 1 Rich

#205S: 2 Rich

Beginning Engine Numbers:

All Series: 2059001

2130001 With Hydra-Matic

Beginning Serial Numbers:

All Series: K530-001001

K531-001001

K532-001001

K538-001001

Brake Specifications

Lining Dimensions/Wheel in Inches: 22-1/4"

Width: Wheel, 2"

Thickness: 13/64"

Brake Shoe Clearance: .010"

Wheel Cylinder Bore:

Front: 1-1/8"

Rear: 1"

Master Cylinder Bore: 1"

Wheel Alignment Specifications

Caster: Zero Degrees

Camber: +3/8 Degrees

Toe In; 1/16" - 1/8"

Toe-Out on Turns:

Outer Wheel: 17-1/2 Degrees

Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees

Kingpin Angle: 4-3/4 to 5-1/2 Degrees

Popular Options

Radio & Antenna, Rear Seat Speaker, Air Conditioned Comfort Heater, Spotlights, Fog Lights, Turn Signals, Oil Bath Air Cleaner, Rear Cigar Lighter, Chrome Wheel Covers, Wire Wheels, DeLuxe Bumper Guards, Dual Action Fuel Pump, Wheel Discs, Electric Clock, Exhaust Extension, Dual Horns, Folding rear Seat, Dragon Vinyl Upholstery, Door Trim Moldings, Bambu Vinyl Top, Bamby Upholstery, Arm Rest, Right Interior Sun Visor, Tilt-Type Rear View Mirror, Electric Clock, Plastic Steering Wheel, Electric Windshield Wipers, Tinted Glass, Vacuum Booster Fuel Pump, Replaceable Element Oil Filter, Spare Tire, Overdrive, Hydra-Matic Transmission, Optional Rear Axle Ratios.

1953 Kaiser Historical Data

Model Year introduction for the 1953 Kaiser was on October 31, 1952.

Total 1953 Kaiser Production totaled 32,272.

Promotional Model Cars Produced:

Metal: 4 Door Sedan

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