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robert_ellison
Jedi Trainee
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Having just gotten my BJ-7 running I forgot how "ground hugging" it is. The tailpipe hits more often than I would like. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve the clearance?
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BJ-7- how to improve ground clearance
- Thread starter robert_ellison
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BabaKahawa
Jedi Knight
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During the process of getting your BJ7 going, did you work on.... or install new suspension?
Or are you running the existing system?
Or are you running the existing system?
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New rear springs is about it. Don't know of anyone using airbags!
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A good idea Harry. However, have you priced out Hearing Aids or even more costly...Cochlear Implants? Side pipes are not worth hearing loss....been there, done that (I wear an Implant(left ear) and a Hearing Aid (right ear). Protect your hearing at all cost or you can be cut off from the world.hama61 said:
Put the sound out the back where it belongs.
Patrick
Randy Forbes
Yoda
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My wife sees a lot of that, having an AUD.Patrick67BJ8 said:
OP
robert_ellison
Jedi Trainee
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Would adding an additional spring adversely affect drivability?
Also, consider ride height in front. If the back end goes up the front might need to, in order to match it.
Suggestions/ input appreciated.
Also, consider ride height in front. If the back end goes up the front might need to, in order to match it.
Suggestions/ input appreciated.
twas_brillig
Jedi Knight
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Robert/Anyone Else Out There: I just measured clearances on our 1962 Mk II BJ7 (roll up windows) and would appreciate hearing if they're normal/representative or ???
Left Front: top of tyre (185/70 Vredestein Sprint Classic; tape measure straight up): 24 1/2"; to top of wheel arch (measuring with tape going straight up from pavement to knock-on and then bending in to the fender lip): 28 1/4"; clearance above tyre: 3 3/4"
Left Rear: 25 7/8" to fender lip; clearance above tyre 1 3/8"
Right Front: 24 1/2" for tyre; 27 3/4" to fender lip; clearance 3 1/4"
Right Rear: 25 1/2" to fender lip; clearance 1"
Clearance from concrete to bottom of muffler: 3 1/4"
Looks like the left side body is about 1/2" higher than right...
The car (to my eye) sits a bit butt down/nose up; I'd appreciate it if others could do similar checks as I believe everything is original, but that expensive stainless steel muffler sure sits low.
Thanks,
Doug
Left Front: top of tyre (185/70 Vredestein Sprint Classic; tape measure straight up): 24 1/2"; to top of wheel arch (measuring with tape going straight up from pavement to knock-on and then bending in to the fender lip): 28 1/4"; clearance above tyre: 3 3/4"
Left Rear: 25 7/8" to fender lip; clearance above tyre 1 3/8"
Right Front: 24 1/2" for tyre; 27 3/4" to fender lip; clearance 3 1/4"
Right Rear: 25 1/2" to fender lip; clearance 1"
Clearance from concrete to bottom of muffler: 3 1/4"
Looks like the left side body is about 1/2" higher than right...
The car (to my eye) sits a bit butt down/nose up; I'd appreciate it if others could do similar checks as I believe everything is original, but that expensive stainless steel muffler sure sits low.
Thanks,
Doug
tahoe healey
Yoda
Offline
Rears should be about 27 inches.
Yes, you can improve the ground clearance. I did. My BT7 tricarb came to me complete with welded-in frame sag and bad exhaust hangers, and had about 2 1/2" of clearance at the low point (rear end of muffler.
For starters, I got new springs all around. The vendor warned that the front coils were not exact replicas, and the front end now sits a bit high. I'd recommend trying to find the correct front springs.
The resulting ground clearance was improved, but not near enough, so I concentrated on two areas:
1) Wheels and tires. The usual 165-15 tires are about an inch smaller in diameter that the original 5.90-15s. That's a half inch of clearance, which is quite significant on a Healey! Many folks go with 185-15 tires. But I ended up with new 16 x 5 Daytons. 165-16s weren't available, but I found some 165-400s on ebay. They do go on the 16" rims, but they are TIGHT!
2) Exhaust mounting. Against much well-meant advice, I have eliminated the conventional hangers. The key is the muffler, which I mounted up tight to the outriggers, using some high-temp padding between. This still allows for the heat shield (very important!) I then had to re-mount (rotate) the left rear shock/damper (using an adaptor plate) to get it out of the way of the higher exhaust pipe position. Ordinary parts-store flex pipe connects the headers to the front of the muffler.
The result is about 4 1/2" of clearance and a huge improvement my driving enjoyment.
For starters, I got new springs all around. The vendor warned that the front coils were not exact replicas, and the front end now sits a bit high. I'd recommend trying to find the correct front springs.
The resulting ground clearance was improved, but not near enough, so I concentrated on two areas:
1) Wheels and tires. The usual 165-15 tires are about an inch smaller in diameter that the original 5.90-15s. That's a half inch of clearance, which is quite significant on a Healey! Many folks go with 185-15 tires. But I ended up with new 16 x 5 Daytons. 165-16s weren't available, but I found some 165-400s on ebay. They do go on the 16" rims, but they are TIGHT!
2) Exhaust mounting. Against much well-meant advice, I have eliminated the conventional hangers. The key is the muffler, which I mounted up tight to the outriggers, using some high-temp padding between. This still allows for the heat shield (very important!) I then had to re-mount (rotate) the left rear shock/damper (using an adaptor plate) to get it out of the way of the higher exhaust pipe position. Ordinary parts-store flex pipe connects the headers to the front of the muffler.
The result is about 4 1/2" of clearance and a huge improvement my driving enjoyment.
twas_brillig
Jedi Knight
Offline
Bob - any chance of you slapping a tape measure up against your BT7 and advising ground to fender lip distances?
Doug
Doug
Doug,
I get the following:
Front: L 28 1/2"
R 29 1/4"
Rear: L 26 1/4"
R 26 3/4"
The front is obviously too high (at least an inch) because of the springs. The rear looks about right.
The 16 x 5 rims stick out from the body a bit, and at the rear the clearance gets tight at the lower front corners of the wheel arches. I would not want ANY larger diameter tires than these (Michelin X 165-400).
Bob F.
I get the following:
Front: L 28 1/2"
R 29 1/4"
Rear: L 26 1/4"
R 26 3/4"
The front is obviously too high (at least an inch) because of the springs. The rear looks about right.
The 16 x 5 rims stick out from the body a bit, and at the rear the clearance gets tight at the lower front corners of the wheel arches. I would not want ANY larger diameter tires than these (Michelin X 165-400).
Bob F.
Frankenhealey
Jedi Trainee
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This guy with a Jensen Healey seems to have found the trick. 
