1954 Kaiser
Model Designations:
Kaiser Special, Series K545, 6 Cylinder
Kaiser Supercharged Manhattan, Series K542, 6 Cylinder
Kaiser Darrin, Series 161, 6 Cylinder
Kaiser Special, Series K545 , Body Styles
First Series (1953 Type):
4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5451
Base Price: $2,192; Shipping Weight: 3,315 Pounds;
Production Total: *
2 Door Club Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5454
Base Price: $2,141; Shipping Weight: 3,275 Pounds;
Production Total: *
Total First Series Production: 3,500
Second Series (1954 Type):
4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5451
Base Price: $2,192; Shipping Weight: 3,305 Pounds;
Production Total: 749
2 Door Club Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5454
Base Price: $2,141; Shipping Weight: 3,265 Pounds;
Production Total: 180
Kaiser Supercharged Manhattan, Series K542 , Body Styles
4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5421
Base Price: $2,454; Shipping Weight: 3,375 Pounds;
Production Total: 4,107
2 Door Club Coupe, 6 Passenger, Body #: K5424
Base Price: $2,404; Shipping Weight: 3,335 Pounds;
Production Total: 218
Kaiser Darrin, Series 161 , Body Styles
2 Door Sport Convertible, 2 Passenger, Body #: 161
Base Price: $3,655; Shipping Weight: 2,175 Pounds;
Production Total: 435
1954 KAISER
Kaiser Sedan Models, 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:
Special: 118 @ 3,650 RPM
Manhattan: 140 @ 3,900 RPM
Torque:
Special: 200 Ft. Lbs. @ 1,800 RPM
Manhattan: 215 Ft. Lbs @ 2,400 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 999S .
Tire Size: 6.70 x 15 inches
Kaiser Darrin, General Specifications
Wheelbase: 100 Inches
Engine Type: Inline 6 Cylinder, F-Head
Bore & Stroke: 3-1/8" X 3-1/2"
Engine Displacement: 161 Cu. In.
Compresssion Ratio: 7.3 to 1
Horsepower: 90 @ 4,200 RPM
Carburetor: Carter YF .
Tire Size: 5.90 x 15 inches
Information Below Applies to All Kaiser Models Except Darrin for which No Additional Information is Available:
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: 51 Lbs @ 1-11/16 inches (New Springs)
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001"-.003"
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: 12-1/2 Quarts Without Heater, 13-1/2 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: 2-1/2 Pints
Delco-Remy Generator & Regulator Specifications:
Generator #1102782
Generator Output: 40 Amperes @ 2,400 RPM
Brush Spring Tension: 28 Ounces
Field Current @ 6 Volts: 1.75-1.90 Amperes
Regulator #1118842
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: 40 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:
Series K545: K545-001001
Series K542: K542-001001
Beginning Serial Numbers:
Series K545: K545-0010001
Series K542: K542-0010001
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, Door Trim Moldings, Air Conditioning, Leather Upholstery, Arm Rest, 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.
1954 Kaiser Historical Data
Model Year introduction for the 1954 Kaiser Darrin was on January 6, 1954.
Model Year introduction for the remainder of the 1954 Kaiser Line was on February 3, 1954.
Total 1954 Kaiser Production totaled 5,818.
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