Viability of a parts/donor car

[drooartz]

I find myself ready to really get going on my Bugyeye, and also (as always) browsing the local classifieds. This car came up:

https://cars.ksl.com/listing/7886570

I'm contemplating going to look at it. My Bugeye has no engine currently, and the donor 1275 block I have will need a full build ($$$). Looking at this car, it purports to have a rebuilt 1275, shows an aluminum radiator, and should have front disc brakes as well. Should be a 1/4 elliptical car so the rear axle and rear suspension could also be salvaged.

It could be a fast track to getting my Bugeye on the road, or could be an expensive dead end. Would love some thoughts or experiences on the possibilities.

 

[NutmegCT]

It's local for you, so when you check it out, also pore over the paperwork for the rebuild. Over the years, I've learned that "engine rebuild" can have many meanings.

On a related tack, if the engine was recently "rebuilt", why would the loss of reverse cause the owner to sell?

Best of luck!
Tom M.

 

[drooartz]

I had a chance to go look at the car on Sunday. The story from the seller is that the car is out of California and when he bought it had a tired engine. He then found a car locally here where the owner had done the engine and had the transmission rebuilt but the car was ratty. That engine and trans are what is in this car.

I did hear the engine run, but due to transmission issues did not drive it. Engine sounded good and fired right up, but I didn’t do a compression check. If I get serious I will go back and do so. The engine is in a proper Healey green which at least indicates that the fellow that had it rebuilt knew something, but there is no information on what the rebuild entailed. Aluminum radiator and an alternator as well.

Car could certainly be a CA car. A few holes in the boot floor and maybe one in the passenger footwell, but otherwise only fairly normal surface rust. Factory hardtop as well, and it is a disc brake car.

So I’m still considering. I’d want to really check the engine a bit closer.

As to the why selling, seller has a number of projects (Datsun 1600, Chevelle, Bronco) and this may be one too far for him. He swapped in this engine and transmission (and didn't do the rebuild) so I can see not wanting to keep putting in the effort.

 

[NutmegCT]

" ... no information on what the rebuild entailed."

No rebuild records at all?

Keeping in mind the old saw "trust but verify" - I'd still consider it too.

Tom M.

 

[drooartz]

No records. The seller isn't the one that rebuilt it, and he didn't get records from the guy that did.

The fact that the engine is painted Healey green (and not Ford blue or black) does at least somewhat indicate that the builder knew something about the engines. As does the aluminum radiator. That said, rebuild can be anything from a meticulous blueprinted masterpiece to a coat of paint.

I'm going to ponder for a little while, and if I decide to proceed I'll head down (hopefully with a friend) and try and at least do a compression test on the engine to see what we have.

 

[NutmegCT]

a friend? Maybe Keith Mott?

 

[drooartz]

a friend? Maybe Keith Mott?

Could be, though he's a fair ways north of me. I have another friend in SLC that has long experience as a Sprite racer, may try and have him look it over with me if I can arrange things.