Healey Sports Cars

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

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mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 01, 2010 04:59PM

Went to pull the motor out of the car to clean it up and do some maintenance to the Brake system, having the hardest time figuring out the brake servo. I think I'm just going to replace it with the single vacuum line replacement you can get almost anywhere.

they're not the clearest, but here's a couple of pics!
Healey Restore 1.jpg

Healey Restore 3.jpg
it's kinda cramped in there! we have to lift the motor to replace the sparkplugs.
I don't ever remember the plugs being replaced.

Healey Restore 4.jpg
the engine is actually ready to be lifted out. it's just chillin in there, sittin on the motormounts and one bolt holdin onto the tranny so it doesn't lean forward.
Turned out the Engine hoist I bought wasn't long enough. and the guys helping didn't want to slide it forward on a jack. they didn't think it was safe. So we began to dismantle the body. I'm honestly not upset, Now I have help with the project.... at least for a while anyway.


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(489 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: February 01, 2010 05:48PM

Lots of progress there. What work do you plan for the future?


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 01, 2010 07:04PM

There's a lot of Corrosion under that pretty paint, so mostly cosmetic and the brake system needs work.

Mostly, taking care of about 15 yrs of routine maintenance. its been sitting for about that long.


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 05, 2010 12:23PM

So we got busy one night and pulled the front end off,
Healey Restore 7.jpg
Healey Restore 8.jpg

It was a little trickier than expected, but we got it.
Healey Restore 9.jpg

turns out our original plan of just pulling all three peices off at one were only hindered by two rivets on the dash and the adhesive that was put between the shroud and dash/firewall section. Totally coulda pulled it off together.

this will make it easier for paint prep anyway.


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 05, 2010 12:49PM

next day off i started clean the garage to make up for the last mess we made. so I pulled the car out into the drive way and got a little ambitious.

Don't let anyone tell you that "You can't do that on your own" cuz i did. And thats right, i'm damn proud of it too.
This porject is goin in the right direction and keep getting more and more excited about it. Most people strart takin things apart and finding more things that they have to do and i'm just thinkin this car is gonna better and better when i get thru with it. here's some pics of the pull and the destruction left behind, wasn't that bad, but it is a mess.

well, all the rest of the pics i have are over 600kb's, I guess daylight adds kb's?

anyway i'll see if i can do something about that.


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 08, 2010 06:39PM

Healey Restore 10.jpg
Healey Restore 11.jpg
Healey Restore 12.jpg
Healey Restore 13.jpg

i think i need to put up a sign....

"no diving headfirst!"


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 08, 2010 06:45PM

Healey Restore 14.jpg

Not a bad starting platform.

All the brakes and brake lines are comin out. thinkin about puttin the mustang II front end on it.

definately have to do something for the front end i put a hole in the crossmember with the jack... yay!

lookin for a 5spd toploader tranny too. it has a 4 speed but i want that cruisin gear. can't stand only gettin 90mph out of 4th gear



mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: November 09, 2011 08:42AM

So.... it's been too long. Between Work and Moving, my baby has been sitting for too long. So.. slowly, step by step, she'll get done.
Finally got the motor rebuilt and decided to weld/repair the cross member and recondition the front suspension. All the interior/dash is removed. Once i finish the suspension and crossmember repair the drive train will go in!

Pictures to come ASAP!


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: Moderator
Date: November 09, 2011 10:18AM

It's good to hear you're still enthused. Keep plugging away and you'll get there! We're looking forward to seeing more photos.


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: December 06, 2012 09:21AM

Here's whats goin in! the 289 got rebuilt, replaced the timing "chain" with a gear set. I was apprehensiveness at first, but glad i followed through with it.
Optimized-IMAG0047.jpg


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: December 06, 2012 09:25AM

We did finally get her started, got the steering linkages replaced, i put the dash mostly back together, still workin on that custom exhaust, then on to the brake system and clutch. She should be road worthy by spring. Any Ideas for comfy, adjustable seats that can be reached without loosing an arm or leg? lol


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: December 21, 2012 01:21PM

I'm having some major issues getting the motor to run smoothly... I've replaced the plugs, plug wires, rotor and cap...

here's what its doin.... initial start up is runs like a champ, after a few seconds it starts missing on one or maybe two cylinders.

I got comfortable enough to look into the carb while its running (never mind the backfiring and what looks like exhaust coming from the carb) and found that fuel was seeping into the primary venturi.... little confused by this, but it makes sense to the dropping of cylinders. raw fuel doesn't burn well when poured into the intake manifold..... So i did a lil research on line, (Google is my friend), and found that i probably need to rebuild my carb, again... or replace it. I may replace it just for aesthetic reasons, but it would be nice to hear it purr. Plus, i want to get more important things replaced and ran before I worry about that. On to the rebuild of the carburetor...

Just wanted to keep everyone filled in on any progress.

I'll have more after Christmas, so... stay tuned! (pun intended, lol)

Merry Xmas all!


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 12, 2013 01:21PM

Ok, So just a lil recap. on what was done. The motor was pulled, stripped, and ran through.

Found out the cylinders were bored 30 over.

Rebuilt the carb, replaced most of the distributor, new plugs + wires. She runs like a Raped Ape!!

Pulled the motor back out this weekend to paint the engine bay. figured a use as close to the color of the outside as I could find. I think it looks good, for the most part. The fire wall is still not complete, but the motor isn't required to be out for that. I Have a few ideas about that, but havent nailed it down yet.

The interior has been completely stripped out, the dash has been redone, most prolly won't like it, but I think its sharp. ( i thought I had pics of this, but they will be up very soon)

So... I have pics of the before and after of the engine bay..
Engine Bay Before.jpg
Engine Bay after.jpg


rficalora
Rob Ficalora
Willis, TX
(2764 posts)

Registered:
10/24/2007 02:46PM

Main British Car:
'76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: rficalora
Date: February 13, 2013 12:08AM

Looking good Chris!


mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: February 14, 2013 10:16AM

Thanks! Def Cleaner lookin... just need somethin for the firewall now.



mtnrek@yahoo.com
Chris Buckaloo
Jacksonville, fl
(67 posts)

Registered:
02/06/2009 12:33PM

Main British Car:
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7 Ford 289 Smallblock V8

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: mtnrek@yahoo.com
Date: March 18, 2014 03:35PM

its been a while.... i picked up some heat shield and a nice piece of diamond plate aluminum. I'm gonna put that in for the fire wall behind the motor. picked up some jensen healey seats off ebay for a decent price, need refurbishing, but they're adjustable. once i put carpet in i'll have the seats to put in as well. I'll post some pics of the completed dash and firewall once the firewall is completed.

its been a slow goin project, but i'm still chuggin...


ttys....


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(489 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: Unexpectedly Starting the Recondition!!
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: March 22, 2014 08:31AM

If you're putting in a false firewall it's a really good time to sandwich some insulation in there. A ton of heat seeps through the firewall from the engine compartment to the interior. You can see what I did on my Healey here: [forum.britishv8.org] Also take the time to seal up all the holes around cables, etc. Take a drop light and put it in the engine compartment, then go under the dash and see where the light shines through and plug those spots. If light can get through, so can hot air.


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