Strelnik,
I just happened to stumble on your post. It's probably 5 years since I last posted here...

I had a 1953 Manhattan about 30 years ago, sold it because of storage and low oil pressure issues.

Does your Kaiser have a Hydramatic transmission? If so, there are a few GM v8 engines that would bolt up to the bell housing.

Kaiser wanted to have a V8 with automatic in those years but they could not afford both..so they settled for the forklift motor and the Hydramatic.

Performance of the 226 is nothing to write home about, but a 389 poncho would turn your Kaiser into a bit of a Q-ship.

And I agree about your take on the KF club forums. It was much the same 30 years ago before the internet when they published monthly newsletters. Friendly people they were, but they seemed to be of a pretty aged demographic with not much new blood.

Sure wish I still had that car though....