Healey Sports Cars

mods & upgrades for Healey (Nash, Austin, or Jensen) cars, including engine swaps

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mightymidget
John-David Knight
Low country of South Carolina
(10 posts)

Registered:
01/31/2009 02:53PM

Main British Car:
1958 Austin Healey Sprite Ford 302 cu in

New member checking in
Posted by: mightymidget
Date: February 01, 2009 07:25PM

I just purchased a 1958 Bugeye, the following modifications have already been done by previous owners years ago
Ford 302 carburated
C-4 Automatic transmission
Ford 9" rear end, I was told 411 gear
4 lug crager wheels
Vehicle is need of completly review, elimnation of rust, and to investigate modification and try to improve on them if needed during the rebuild. I purchased this car in a very risky way, but I am very satisfied and will begin body work soon.

All work was done professional I was told by someone in Texas


mightymidget
John-David Knight
Low country of South Carolina
(10 posts)

Registered:
01/31/2009 02:53PM

Main British Car:
1958 Austin Healey Sprite Ford 302 cu in

Re: New member checking in
Posted by: mightymidget
Date: February 01, 2009 07:36PM

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6126/bemotor010ch9.th.jpg

this is photo of the 302 as it sits now, I plan on updating to serpintine belt system and use the newer alternator on passenger side, the wires and lines are a real mess now. give me about 18 months. fixing this car up for my wife. She wants red ouside with white interior....not my choice but it is better than the pink we painted the Dodge Challenger convertible years back

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2328/beside004ky7.th.jpg

this photo shows wheel clearances, notice rear fender has been enlarged and rolled, need a beautifcation process there also. front fenders has been worked very little from tire bounce

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3109/befirewall005lu9.th.jpg

See how wide the tunnel has been increased, all the interior will be removed. At that time I will post new photos.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2009 08:09PM by mightymidget.


Bill Young
Bill Young
Kansas City, MO
(1337 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:23AM

Main British Car:
'73 MG Midget V6 , '59 MGA I6 2.8 GM, 4.0 Jeep

authors avatar
Re: New member checking in
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: February 02, 2009 08:26AM

Looks interesting, will be looking forward to seeing your progress. Glad to have another modified Spridget in the group.


BMC
Brian Mc Cullough
Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA
(383 posts)

Registered:
10/30/2007 02:27AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi

authors avatar
Re: New member checking in
Posted by: BMC
Date: February 02, 2009 01:10PM

Very nice.. I am quiet interested in this sudden surge of Bugeyes amongst Healeys.

-BMC.


mightymidget
John-David Knight
Low country of South Carolina
(10 posts)

Registered:
01/31/2009 02:53PM

Main British Car:
1958 Austin Healey Sprite Ford 302 cu in

Re: New member checking in
Posted by: mightymidget
Date: February 02, 2009 11:45PM

Got the car on Jackstands today, looks like I will know metal working pretty well before this is all over. also if this conversion was professionaly done I hope they stopped with this one. Looks like it was done in a barn. Some of it is good but other areas are really slack.


mightymidget
John-David Knight
Low country of South Carolina
(10 posts)

Registered:
01/31/2009 02:53PM

Main British Car:
1958 Austin Healey Sprite Ford 302 cu in

Re: New member checking in
Posted by: mightymidget
Date: February 07, 2009 11:45AM

I already have found a few things that have me wondering
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5817/rearendcablefq6.th.jpg
Looks like a old style drag set up, also the rear end is not a Ford 9" but appears to be 57-64 olds/pontiac

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8762/passengersiderearendtv1.th.jpg



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2009 12:02PM by mightymidget.


getagripgreg
Greg Stasko

(33 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2008 12:08AM

Main British Car:


Re: New member checking in
Posted by: getagripgreg
Date: February 08, 2009 10:53PM

"Very nice.. I am quiet interested in this sudden surge of Bugeyes amongst Healeys. "

Hey, everyone's doin' it! :P

Congrats on the fun project. Mine's coming along nicely too. Not nearly as well done originally as yours though.

Cheers,
Greg



mightymidget
John-David Knight
Low country of South Carolina
(10 posts)

Registered:
01/31/2009 02:53PM

Main British Car:
1958 Austin Healey Sprite Ford 302 cu in

Re: New member checking in
Posted by: mightymidget
Date: December 15, 2013 05:46PM

Just an update for everone that has been waiting for progress reports...........and waiting.
The car is still in the garage 4 years later in the same condition... it makes a great storage shelf.

Don't ever give up the dream. Keep your cars even if they sit and collect dust.
As long as you are not letting them rust, ..........you can still have the dream.

I have built this car on paper and in my head, and it is always the same. but give me credit I have purchased a Ford rear end and fiberglass factory top and sheet metal.

Merry Christmas


88v8
Ivor Duarte
Gloucestershire UK
(1041 posts)

Registered:
02/11/2010 04:29AM

Main British Car:
1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8

Re: New member checking in
Posted by: 88v8
Date: December 16, 2013 04:49AM

Thanks for posting. Yes, it takes a lot to complete a project. If it stops, can be hard it get it moving again. One has to be there pretty well every day even if it's just for an hour or two, and not let 'life get in the way' as the excuse goes lol.

If the car is drivable as is, perhaps put it back on the road and remind yourself how enjoyable it is to drive. Then think, do you really need to change it? Really really??? What's better, a running car that's less then ideal, or a dream that may soak up hundreds of hours and never see the road...

I'd like to do all sorts of things with my Landrover V8 and my TR6, but most of all I like to drive them, it's what cars are for.
Just a thought.

Ivor


mightymidget
John-David Knight
Low country of South Carolina
(10 posts)

Registered:
01/31/2009 02:53PM

Main British Car:
1958 Austin Healey Sprite Ford 302 cu in

Re: New member checking in
Posted by: mightymidget
Date: December 17, 2013 02:46AM

the tinkering is the part I enjoy the most, presently it doesn't matter since even if was done I wouldn't have the time to wash or drive it. I am never home.


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