Healey Sports Cars

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

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ccsct203
Clay Smith

(17 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2012 11:26PM

Main British Car:
rebuilt front end
Posted by: ccsct203
Date: December 26, 2012 01:07PM

My 61 V8 sprite is going to need a front end rebuild
I ordered a complete rebuild kit from VB
the tube shock conversion from Moss
A "big brake kit"
a 7/8" sway bar
poly bushings
a new steering rack
tie rod ends

I'm having springs made to compensate the the extra 300 lbs

anything i missed?

Can I install the sway bar on the car without welding seeing it has none now?


I have all the tools all I need is a shop manual...right?

Thanks


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(490 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

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

authors avatar
Re: rebuilt front end
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: December 26, 2012 03:36PM

A factory style sway bar will have a triangular mounting bracket to attach to the front of the A-arm. Later Spridgets had holes drilled to mount the brackets along with additional reinforcement. You can just drill the holes in your A-arms and back up the bolts with a metal plate under the securing nuts or if you like to spend money, buy some new A-arms with pre-drilled holes. Here's a helpful discussion: [www.british-cars.org]


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(490 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

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

authors avatar
Re: rebuilt front end
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: December 27, 2012 01:00PM

Another thought about your A-Arms. The kingpins are held in place at the lower end by screw-in fulcrum pins that go into threads in the A-arm. Before deciding to reuse your present A-arms or buy some new ones drilled and reinforced for the sway bar, check out the condition of the threads as they can wear if the suspension isn't regularly greased. If the threads are buggered, you might as well spring for the new A-arms.
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