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'67 BJ8 to high

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Bobbydsport

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Gentleman at the risk of blasphemy has anyone lowered there '67 BJ8. I understand the reason they sit so high & the dangers of wiping out the transverse muffler across the rear as well as the normal location muffler, but that not withstanding I just don't like the way mine sits. I'm old school & have used lowering blocks, cut coils, etc. on a lot of past cars & am just wondering if any method has been tried on a BJ8. I welcome any input. Thanks,


Bobbyd
 
Bobbydsport said:
Gentleman at the risk of blasphemy has anyone lowered there '67 BJ8. I understand the reason they sit so high & the dangers of wiping out the transverse muffler across the rear as well as the normal location muffler, but that not withstanding I just don't like the way mine sits. I'm old school & have used lowering blocks, cut coils, etc. on a lot of past cars & am just wondering if any method has been tried on a BJ8. I welcome any input. Thanks,


Bobbyd
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When I restored my BJ8 I purchased leaf-springs from Jule Enterprises that lowered my car to a level height. I also purchased new 60 spoke wire wheels and tires from Hendrix and the tires were about an inch taller and that gave me more ground clearance. I'm happy with the outcome.
 

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Bobbydsport said:
Thanks Patrick that's a beautiful Healey & It's sitting much better than mine.

Bobbyd
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Thanks Bobby. I can furnish tire details if you want? The leaf springs from Jule were about $300. Shipping was not an issue since they came back with my car.
 
Patrick,
I purchased springs from Jule after hearing you discuss the outcome of your installation and the pictures of your car you had on the forum; I too am pleased with the way my BJ8 phase 11 sits level. I would be interested in your tire choice as I will be shopping for tires in the near future. My car is equipped with 60 spoke wheels and I would like to gain some clearance. Your recommendations concerning your tires would be appreciated !!

Thanks, John
 
My 67 Healey, made in the same batch as Patricks, is still all original. It doesnt really squat or sit up high. I just have to be careful when crossing railroad tracks or major dips at much speed. I sure would not want it sitting any lower.
 
fordtrucks4ever said:
My 67 Healey, made in the same batch as Patricks, is still all original. It doesnt really squat or sit up high. I just have to be careful when crossing railroad tracks or major dips at much speed. I sure would not want it sitting any lower.
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I Hope he is still UP--JULE !!!----:highly_amused:
 
Patrick,

I appreciate the efforts you had to extend to lower your BJ8P2 to sit where I had great difficulty raising my BJ8P1 to. If the springs were mounted blow the frame, the use of blocks and the like would make this task relatively easy. However, having the springs and rear axel mounted above the frame makes the task a less then straight forward.

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My reason for raising the height of my Healey was not just for looks. Since the P1 and P2 share the same exhaust system, including resonator across the bottom of the boot, clearance and lost exhaust components were things I tried to diminish with the added height.

Bobby, I appreciate your desire to reduce the height of your P2 as did but I also would query Martin on the other spring mods he has suggested in the past.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 

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Off subject but is the matte black paint stock? I also have a phase 1 but it did not have the paint. Is it also painted black below the rocker panel? I don't like the look of all the bolts painted body color on my Healey.
I replaced the leaf springs a number of years ago and it seems to have raised the rear enough that there is seldom a tail drag but still has the wheel almost centered in the wheel well. There is 5 inches of ground clearance.
TH
 
Hi Tahoe,

In 1985, when first deciding to recreate my Healey, I decided to paint everything inside the body panels Ford engine compartment Black (a low reflecting semi-gloss). Since my car has black upholstery, rugs, and panels, having this color under the white outer panels eliminated the issue of new headlights appearing every time a black panel or rug section move or shrank to allow the underneath white to show through. Additionally, I liked the way this paint contrasted with the metallic engine paint but didn't seem to make obvious any oil drippings. I also painted the drums and inner fenders the same black and like the way the chrome wires are set up by this.

All the best,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
bluegrass john said:
Patrick,
I purchased springs from Jule after hearing you discuss the outcome of your installation and the pictures of your car you had on the forum; I too am pleased with the way my BJ8 phase 11 sits level. I would be interested in your tire choice as I will be shopping for tires in the near future. My car is equipped with 60 spoke wheels and I would like to gain some clearance. Your recommendations concerning your tires would be appreciated !!

Thanks, John
Click to expand...
I had an answer almost completely typed out and one wrong key was hit and it disappeared so I'm starting over(aahhh).
Tires are Vredestein 185 HR15 91H. Allen Hendrix took care of the mounting, balancing, etc. I went with the 60 spoke wheels at Allen's recommendation(I don't do gymkhanas), and don't want to spend a lot of time cleaning/shinning the chrome plus I like the way the 60's sit inside the wheel wells and especially the front tires...I can't see the tops of the tires and I really like that. They do fill up the wheel wells nicely!!

You have to make sure that you have the correct clearance at the rear fenders doglegs. I believe it was 27" from the edge of the dog leg to the front of the rear edge but Allen will help you with that,. A lot of Healey's have had their doglegs replaced and some of the older aftermarket doglegs just don't fit like the original ones did. Allen also installed racing tubes and tagged each wheel noting where it is to be installed. My Healey really goes down the road very smooth and a very solid feel to the steering wheel. The Jule frame and tires/wheels plus rear brake drums balancing I'm sure contributed to the smooth ride.
I also installed new wheel hubs front and back.
 
bluegrass john said:
Patrick,
I purchased springs from Jule after hearing you discuss the outcome of your installation and the pictures of your car you had on the forum; I too am pleased with the way my BJ8 phase 11 sits level. I would be interested in your tire choice as I will be shopping for tires in the near future. My car is equipped with 60 spoke wheels and I would like to gain some clearance. Your recommendations concerning your tires would be appreciated !!

Thanks, John
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John, I just posted recommendations answering another post. I believe the Vredesteins I used are still available. Please check with Allen and let us know.
 
tahoe healey said:
Off subject but is the matte black paint stock? I also have a phase 1 but it did not have the paint. Is it also painted black below the rocker panel? I don't like the look of all the bolts painted body color on my Healey.
I replaced the leaf springs a number of years ago and it seems to have raised the rear enough that there is seldom a tail drag but still has the wheel almost centered in the wheel well. There is 5 inches of ground clearance.
TH
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I also painted the lip on the rear of my Healey where the shroud and trunk floor join and the lower edge of the rocker panels that hangs down. The edge on a Jule frame is taller and it would distract from the cars side appearance if not painted(IMHO).
 
Patrick,

Thanks for your informative reply; I have seen the Vredestein 185 x 15 on several BJ 8 cars but the wheels were the wider 72 spoke and I was glad to hear that they fit well on your 60 spoke wheels as that is what my car is equipped with. Allen said the crucial measurement you described in your post was a minimum of 26 3/4 inches. I checked with Coker tire several weeks ago and these tires are still available !! I will be purchasing new tires as mine are over 12 YEARS OLD.........trying to hold off until this winter!! Thanks again for all the info I was looking for. Just an added note the new springs i have from JULE have been a great addition to my car and have a ride height that looks good on the phase 11.

John
 
bluegrass john said:
Patrick,

Thanks for your informative reply; I have seen the Vredestein 185 x 15 on several BJ 8 cars but the wheels were the wider 72 spoke and I was glad to hear that they fit well on your 60 spoke wheels as that is what my car is equipped with. Allen said the crucial measurement you described in your post was a minimum of 26 3/4 inches. I checked with Coker tire several weeks ago and these tires are still available !! I will be purchasing new tires as mine are over 12 YEARS OLD.........trying to hold off until this winter!! Thanks again for all the info I was looking for. Just an added note the new springs i have from JULE have been a great addition to my car and have a ride height that looks good on the phase 11.

John
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Are you going to the SE Classic in September?
 
Not that far from Louisville but unfortunately not able to attend due to other commitments; I do know that is a beautiful area of the country and a great place to visit!!

John
 
based upon the favorable comments above i ordered a set of jule rear springs this afternoon for my 63 bj7. he sends the springs and then you pay....seemingly very unusual this day and time!!
 
will do!
 
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