1955 BN2 Austin Healey 100 Questions

[d_valentino]

Starting on my new project car.

It's a 1955 BN2 that I'm going to convert to a 100M and I'm going to use this post to ask you guys (The Experts) questions that come up that I can't answer myself. I am a Sprite guy by heart (As you can see by the link- https://www.spritespot.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=59-Austin-Healey-Sprite&page=1 )I restored this car myself and the goal is to do the BN2 to this level. I'm going to do small things that I can work on now at my house until I can really drive into it. First question is the Smith's heater, does anyone know where I can get the core redone? Second question, where is a good place to have the transmission rebuilt. Thanks

 

[mjobrien]

Looks like a great project!

I have seen some cores cross ebay and might want to call https://www.healeysurgeons.com/


Great folks and good healey insights....

Michael.

 

[GregW]

Hi D,
I've seen your Sprite in person a couple times. That BN2 is in good hands. :thumbsup:

 

[d_valentino]

Thanks Guys, I'll see what Healey Surgeons can do.
How about gauge restoration? I found the gauges for the Sprite NOS, so I haven't done that before.

 

[retroRob]

https://www.nisonger.com/
highly recomend !

 

[d_valentino]

https://www.nisonger.com/
highly recomend !

Do you know roughly what they charge?

 

[retroRob]

My buddy Jack Merryman in Hanover Pa. send a lot of his costumer's gages there. Always do excellent work. Jack's had nothing but praise, so they must be reasonable for the quality of work they do. I know prices very depending on a cleaning /calibration vs. a complete rebuild.

 

[d_valentino]

Well I guess I'll let you know. I will send them out this week and see what they say.

 

[d_valentino]

Does anyone know where to get the VIN plate restored a place that can take a new plate and emboss the numbers on it?

 

[Healeysince59]

Clarke Spares

https://www.clarkespares.com/carparts.html

Marv J

 

[d_valentino]

Clarke Spares

https://www.clarkespares.com/carparts.html

Marv J

Thanks Marv, I see they do the engine plate and I've e-mailed them to see if they can stamp the VIN plate. I let you know what they say.

 

[AH100M]

Just a note on rebuilding the heater core. If you are looking for perfection and/or intend to actually use the heater (!) you do realize that the flow of coolant to the core can be shut off, don't you? If you're never going to need it the money might be better spent on something else! I've owned my 100M for 30 years and have never felt the need for extra heat in the interior, if you know what I mean.

Bill Schmidt

 

[d_valentino]

I have two of them and just wanted to have the fins fixed, some of them are crushed. Living in Southern California, yes there is no need for the heater, I just like to have everything work.

 

[d_valentino]

I've made a little progess, I'm in the process of rebuilding the gearbox and about to start reassembling it. I did get the heater done, what do you think?

 

[Keoke]

OH that looks nice now you can also keep warm in the winter time here in Southern California.---Keoke-

 

[d_valentino]

Well the British Trust says it came on my car, so I guess I'll put it on. I don't even have the heater in my Sprite hooked up, it's just for looks also.

 

[Keoke]

Well the British Trust says it came on my car, so I guess I'll put it on. I don't even have the heater in my Sprite hooked up, it's just for looks also.

This fella must be one of em hot blooded Italians I guess or he just drive ina summertime.---Keoke--

 

[GregW]

That BN2 is in good hands. :thumbsup:

I'll say it again.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I'm being persnickety here--and I'll probably get slammed for saying this--but you can't really 'convert' a standard BN2 to a 100M. From the 2008 Austin-Healey Resource Book:

"... the only cars properly called '100M' were those that were modified to 100M specification at the Donald Healey Motor Company (DHMCo) in Warwick 1955-1956, then sold new as the 100M model."

There were probably 1159 100Ms built, and 640 are 'certified' due to having been built and delivered with a louvered bonnet.

This still gets debated sometimes, but most have agreed that a standard BN1 or BN2 modified to the LeMans specs is most properly called "100 with LeMans modifications" or simply "100LeMans."

It's your car, call it what you want but it won't be a 100M.

 

[healeynut]

thems heaters parts is purdy