New to the world of Healeys

[mikejones]

Hi all,

I am new to the world of Healey's, but always wanted one !

After much research and looking i finaly found a BJ8 to restore.

I guess i will be asking many questions, but any info on which way or how to resore will be welcomed.

Mike

 

[PC]

Welcome to the party Mike!

You're in the right place. There are lots of knowledgeable, friendly folks here that are happy to help.


PC.

 

[Henri]

Mike...I too will chime in with a hello...good luck with your "project"...keep us posted as you go along... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[JamesWilson]

Welcome.

You'll find that having a good manual or two and the popular "restoration guides" worth having. Ones I've found useful are:

Austin-Healey 100/100-6/3000 Restoration Guide (Authentic Restoration Guides) by Anderson & Moment:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...nce&s=books

Original Austin-Healey 100, 100-Six & 3000: The Restorers Guide by Clausager & Debois

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0760312257/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1/002-5917613-0854456


And Manuals:

Austin-Healey Workshop Manual: Austin-Healey 100/6 & 3000: Part No AKD1179H

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...nce&s=books

Austin Healey 100/6 and 3000 (56 - 68) Classic Reprint from Haynes UK site, though it doesn't seem to appear on their US one, for some reason.

https://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store...9&langId=-1

And all these appear from time to time as used books on e-bay and www.abebooks.com - a network of used book stores.

Additionally, you may find joining the Healey e-mail list a very useful source of information too. This is a group of Healey enthusiasts that exchange information. You may ask a question and the list members generally provide an answer or comment. Joining it allows you access and there's a lot of useful information to be gained from simply following other people's exchanges. The list has an extensive archive too that may be searched.

For joining information:

https://www.team.net/sol/britishlists.html

In addition, some individual Healey owners have their own websites. Two I've found interesting or useful are:

Jim Werners:
https://hometown.aol.com/BGAHC/

Larry Varley's:
https://www.acmefluid.com.au/larry/

And the American club websites have a lot of information available too:
https://www.healey.org/index.shtml
https://www.healeyclub.org/

The UK Club may be more appropriate:
https://www.austin-healey-club.com/

for they have a local Midlands branch that's probably the nearest to you:
https://www.austinhealeyclub.co.uk/

Hope some of this is useful for you.

James.

 

[mikejones]

Thanks to all.

James, I have ordered the top 2 last week (i thought i might need them) and have managed to get an original workshop manual (eBay).

I have also applied to Gaydon for a heritage cert.

Some pretty good links there (had found some but not all) will take some time brousing through them.

Also if anyone has a 3000 for sale that needs restoration a friend who has seen mine now wants one!

 

[catfood]

Mike,

Welcome!

Where abouts in Warks are you. I'm solihull based so we may not be far apart.

This forum should be able to answer any questions you have. I've not seen any question that has not had at least one constructive reply.

Have fun with the new toy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif

 

[mikejones]

Hi Steve,

I'm in Bedworth, so just down the road !

Mike

 

[mikejones]

Quick update for you all.

Healey arrived 5 weeks ago (on Sept 25th) and i am glad/sad to say there is not much left of her.

She is completely stripped ready for blasting and then mounting onto the new chassis, with new floors, sills and many other new panels to be welded on.

I have still to strip the engine, box and over drive.
The rear axle and front suspension are on the bench and starting to be stripped ready for rebuild.

 

[mikejones]

Well things are starting to look better now.

After having to buy a new frame and many new inner body panels the Healey is back from the shop as a fully welded tub, and painted in Healey blue.
The rear axle and front suspension is also now fitted so vertually a rolling chassis, just no steering at the moment.

Question is what do i have to do to the engine to make it run on unleaded ?

 

[tahoe healey]

Nothing. I use mid-grade just 'cause it makes me feel like I'm doing something.

 

[Keoke]

Hi Mike very nice job there you did. The valve seats and valves can be upgraded to run on unleaded fuel. However, unless the car is going to be driven hard at speed for prolong periods of time the additional upgrade generally is not required.Just keep the octane rating up as high as possible now that true 5 Star is no longer available. If the head is Knackered when you pull it off doing the upgrade will leave a lot of peace of mind and is not too pricy either.--Cheers Keoke

 

[Skip & Lynne]

Put some unleaded in the tank and run it.

 

[chuck1006]

Welcome Mike,
Looks like you have a great start. You have found the best site for advice. Keep us posted with your progress.
Regards,
Chuck

 

[mikejones]

Just found out that the shop that did the welding work on my BJ8 has used the chassis rebuild pictures on there website as a slide show to show what was done for prospective customers.

As you will see there was not alot of anything left so new frame and a lot of panels needed to be welded in the right places.
But the result is basicly a new Healey.

Takes a while to load even on broadband.

https://www.cotswoldclassics.co.uk/services.asp

 

[mikejones]

To save posting a load of times i have some how managed to create a web page covering the progress so far of my Healey BJ8 restoration project.

I will update it as things get done but our first child is due in 4 weeks (end of March) so don't expect too much progress.

So if anyone's interested here's the link.

https://www.fltsales.co.uk/forklifts/healey_restoration.htm

Also on a side note i just wondered how old the yongest big healey owner is on here? I'm 31 and guess i maybe one of the youngest but not the youngest.

 

[Patton]

[ QUOTE ]
I will update it as things get done but our first child is due in 4 weeks (end of March) so don't expect too much progress.

Also on a side note i just wondered how old the youngest big healey owner is on here? I'm 31 and guess i maybe one of the youngest but not the youngest.

[/ QUOTE ]

Congrats on the kid, we have our second due in July (which will prevent me from going to Carolina Conclave). The doctor told us on Friday that we are having our second daughter. I am rushing to get my car done before she gets here (update in another email).

You have me by a few years, I'm 36. There are a few of us "youngsters" at the local club meetings each month /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Patton

 

[BlackHealey]

I have both of you beat. I am 29 years old! Anybody younger than me.
Mike, your car is looking great. Keep up the good work.
My wife is expecting our first in August. I am glad that I finished my Healey prior to the pregnancy. It was an excuse to escape to the garage, to let her sleep in peace on the weekends during morning sickness!

 

[Keoke]

MY goodness gracious there ain't nothin but a bunch of babies on this here Forum.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

 

[BlackHealey]

We are simply the next generation who will keep the drive alive when you old timers are too tired to use the clutch in your Healey's! Besides, if young people didn't get involved in this hobby, you would not have anyone to teach the finer things in life!

 

[Henri]

[ QUOTE ]
I have both of you beat. I am 29 years old! Anybody younger than me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry beat you...I'm only 4...oh sorry...that's how old my children say I act...it still counts...doesn't it...