Which V8 into 3000 and where to get it done in UK?

S

saggychassis

Freshman Member

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• Dec 12, 2008

• #1

Hello all, Newbie to this forum.

Does anyone know of anyone in the UK specialised in fitting V8's into Healey 3000's?

Also what is the easiest/preferred V8 to install? Ford 289?

Thanks in advance of any replies.

 

C

Cutlass

Jedi Warrior

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• Dec 12, 2008

• #2

The real question is why?

 

R

RonMacPherson

Guest

Guest

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• Dec 12, 2008

• #3

www.Britishv8.org

 

vette

Darth Vader

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• Dec 12, 2008

• #4

Yeh, I concur with Cutlass. Why??? The Healey six pulls like a bandit, cruises like a jem, and sounds as sweet as miss apple pie. And still handles pretty darn good. If you put that V8 in, you will cut away most of what is Healey. Tork enough to tear up what chasis and springs you've got. And be fiddlin with just about every part and system in the car to make it fit or work right. If you really want to build your self a car anew. Why not build a street rod, ( i love them too ), or a Cobra kit. Don't tear up an iconic classic which is exceedingly rare, like an AUSTIN HEALEY 3000!
anyway, I do hope you enjoy any motor sporting that you want to.
But in this case, WHY?

 

A

AJAX50

Senior Member

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• Dec 13, 2008

• #5

Stick with the straight 6. If you want more go 200 bhp is doable without spending a fortune over a normal rebuild, 300 bhp is doable with spending a fortune, look at the DMD australia.co.au website. If you really want to change the engine for a more modern unit, what about a BMW or my favourite a Mercedes 320 24v.

saggychassis said:

Hello all, Newbie to this forum.

Does anyone know of anyone in the UK specialised in fitting V8's into Healey 3000's?

Also what is the easiest/preferred V8 to install? Ford 289?

Thanks in advance of any replies.

Click to expand...

 

JamesWilson

Yoda

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• Dec 13, 2008

• #6

I suspect the most popular conversion here in the UK would be the Rover V8 due to its availability.

The magazine "Retro Cars" had an article on two Nasty Boys (one barely managed 350 HP now, really!) in the October, 2004 issue and they had information on people that did the work commercially, though I cannot recall those names now...

 

OP

S

saggychassis

Freshman Member

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• Dec 13, 2008

• #7

Hello and thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

I sort of agree with the reasoning behind the 'why' and that's also why I would avoid any sort of replica. (of anything - Healey, Jags, Ferrari 355)

What prompted the question really was a car which was already without it's engine and gearbox so I figured it wouldn't be so bad to put something different into it.

Anyway I've only recently started looking at this although I've admired them for years.
Also, being sensible about it, never really had the plenty of spare cash before or the extra garage for a 'sunny weekender' but now I have.

I recall reading somewhere on the web that the 289 was a popular swap in the states whereas the enlarged '6' was prone to block problems - but as I say I'm new to this hence why I'm canvassing all your views as a starting point.

Thanks again for taking the time to pass on the benefit of your experiences and opinions.
regards, Saggy

 

red57

Jedi Knight

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• Dec 13, 2008

• #8

First comment - it's your car, do what you want with it. As you may have noticed, a lot of folks out there think it's wrong to do engine swaps. Be aware that you will have some negative reactions from the purists. An alternative is to find one that has already been modified, then you can have an excuse for having what you want.

Last year I bought a '53 BN1 project that had a Ford 289 installed in 1968. It will be a couple of years before I get it done (severe chassis/frame rot). In the little bit of research I have done, I found the 289 is a good choice because it's about 2" narrower than Chev small blocks. The BOP/Rover is a good choice because it's a bit lighter, however the 289 is still lighter than the stock 6. Your handling will not suffer because you will get closer to 50/50 weight distribution with a lighter motor. I would also suggest keeping the horsepower modest, 250 hp is plenty in my opinion which is easilly done with a 289 and still have a long-life motor. You try for 250 in a Healey 6 and you have a short-life motor for a lot of money....

Keep researching and do what works for you.

Dave Phillips

 

C

Cutlass

Jedi Warrior

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• Dec 13, 2008

• #9

My question is what are you going to do with all that extra horsepower? And if you get it, where is that horsepower made? At 4500 rpm? Unless you are racing the car, when are you going to wind it up that far? These cars have very questionable safety features compared to modern cars. If you're really taking advantage of those extra ponies, are you pushing the safety envelope too far? Probably. I'd pick your engine to compliment the actual driving conditions you expect.

 

PAUL161

Great Pumpkin

Silver

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• Dec 14, 2008

• #10

Re: Which V8 into 3000 and where to get it done in

I am one of those purists they talk about, but, if it's your car and that pleases you, go for it! The only suggestion I'd make is <span style="font-weight: bold">not to chop it up</span> so it couldn't be put back in original condition by someone who prefers that later and<span style="font-weight: bold"> keep ALL the</span> <span style="font-weight: bold">original parts!</span> All said and done, a stock 289 with no internal modifications, will tear the tires off of a Healey. It's a sweet, smooth running engine in stock configuration. But, balanced and blueprinted, it's a screamer. Fords are a little more expensive to rebuild, but I prefer them over Chevy's. If you do this, I'd increase the braking power of the car. JMHO

 

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior

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• Dec 14, 2008

• #11

saggychassis said:

Does anyone know of anyone in the UK specialised in fitting V8's into Healey 3000's?

Click to expand...

Saggy,

Did you get your question answered here or in the Modified Healeys Yahoo forum ?

If not, feel free to contact me directly either here or at my Email at the bottom of the Modified Healeys web page.

I know several modified Healey owners in the UK and can probably point you in the right direction.

Tim - 302 SBF and AOD.

 

andybj8

Jedi Hopeful

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• Dec 14, 2008

• #12

Saggy
The expert in the uk is Pete Farmer, he had about 6 nasty boys v8's at the Austin Healey 50th celebrations,:
https://www.petefarmer.com/Index.htm
not my thing and no financial interest
Andy

 

JamesWilson

Yoda

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• Dec 15, 2008

• #13

Went back and looked again at the magazine and Pete Farmer's the one that did the conversions.

 

healeyneil

Jedi Hopeful

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• Dec 15, 2008

• #14

There used to be quite a few big Healeys with jaguar straght six engines fitted....

 

OP

S

saggychassis

Freshman Member

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• Dec 16, 2008

• #15

Hi again all,
Particular thanks to Bob Brown, ddinwdc, Dennis Fesmire and Tim Moran.

Pete Farmer and I are now in contact! He's offered to give me the benefit of his advice before I do anything.

Thanks for the forum advice and also the recommend to keep eveything so that it could be reverted at a later date. The easy route of course is one already 'swapped'. No venom from the purists!
Meantime my target has gazumped but not too worried as really need to learn a lot more about these cars first as I'm just starting at the beginning on this. So any further advice as to the benefits or shortcomings of different models would also be very welcome. I was looking at '62 Mk1 for sunny weekends and odd week on continent type of use.
Thanks,
Saggy

 

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior

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• Dec 24, 2008

• #16

Saggy,

I have been trying to get hold of Pete for a couple of weeks. I guess that I don't have a working Email address for him. Even the email address on his web site doesn't seem to get to him (or he is ignoring me).

Next time you are in contact with him, please tell him that I want to chat with him. I know that he has my Email.

If you have a working Email address for Pete, could you send it to me in a private message.

Thanks,

Tim

 

OP

S

saggychassis

Freshman Member

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• Dec 24, 2008

• #17

Hello Tim,

Pete Farmer is out of the country at the moment and understand he's not back until the middle of January (he didn't give me an exact date) but when he contacts me I'll ask him to mail you ok.

Meantime I think I got my query answered to an extent thank you but views scratched the surface really. As I'm now back at the blank drawing board stage, any advice as to the most suitable Healey, in respect of chassis and running gear, for a V8... I would guess I'll be settling on an output of about 265 BHP
I've previously done a conversion and a restoration (on seperate cars - not Healeys) - if there's is one thing I've learn't it's that I need to take a lot more time so as to be absolutley sure that all the choices are right before starting. I want to avoid the "it's ok but I would've done XYZ differently" Be interested to know what others considered as important issues, what particular problems were experienced (heat?)and what solutions were. What's preferred gearbox (5sp or 4 plus overdive) and final drive?
thanks and Merry Christmas to all,
Saggy

 

R

Richard Dickinson

Jedi Trainee

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• Dec 24, 2008

• #18

A number of years ago there was an article in the AH Club of America magazine featuring a Healey with an engine out of one of the Nissan Z cars. Seems like this might be something to consider if you have a car without an engine. Would be about the same size and maybe a little lighter. Would have to have all the stuff that goes with it, fuel injection, black boxes, etc. Don't know common these are in UK.

 

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior

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• Dec 24, 2008

• #19

Hey Saggy,

Charles Matthews told me several months ago that Pete was going sometime, but I didn't know just when.

By the way... do you know Charles ?

That'll be fine to ask him to contact me when he gets back.

I'm beginning a 3-4 month series of mods to greatly improve engine cooling, suspension, steering, adding A/C and a hardtop.

Let's take this discussion about V8 Healeys out of this forum and I'll see if I can give you some ideas about your project.

You can email me at timm(at)healey.org

In the meantime, Have a Merry Christmas tomorrow.

Where on the Island are you ?

Tim

 

OP

S

saggychassis

Freshman Member

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• Jan 7, 2009

• #20

Tim,
Happy New Year!
I've emailed as per your suggestion but doubt you received them (perhaps gone into a junk mail folder)or I've got your address wrong. Try a test to mine... firstlight20@hotmail.com

I don't know Charles (or anyone yet!) but I've seen somewhere on another forum reference to a Charles Mathews with a 7 litre - would that be the same ?

I'm away for a few days from to-morrow but as soon as I've spoken to PF on his return later this month I'll ask him to contact you.
Regards, Saggy