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converting disc wheel BN4 to disc brakes

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TFR1

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Purchased a 1957 "standard" car a few months ago.
Needs some work so thought I would rebuild the front suspension and convert to disc brakes.
This is my first big Healey so I am a bit confused about what parts will work. All of the kits I have found so far are for wire wheel cars. I really don't want to add wire wheels.

What are my options?

TFR1
 
I converted my BN6 over to Disc brakes using 3000 parts, very straight forward. I also have a BN4 S car with steel wheels. Don't think you'll find off the shelf parts to convert to drum brake to disc brakes steel wheel. You might can have the wire wheel hub cut and machined where the steel wheel will fit.

Marv
 
Disc brakes and bolt-on wheels; if you can't find a pair of used 3000 MKI/II hubs (and they're very scarce), you can have them made, like I did...

Not cheap, mind you, but doable.

I also have a surplus set (of five__5__) original steel disc wheels that have been powder coated__VERY NICE! And a set )of four__4__) original hubcaps with decent chrome. A link to pictures of them here: https://www.spcarsplus.com/gallery3/index.php/Healey-at-home/steel_disc_wheels

IMG_6642.jpgIMG_6644.jpgIMG_6645.jpgIMG_6648.jpgIMG_6643.jpg
 
Thanks for the help.

So I begin my search is for a disc wheel front end from a MKI or II 3000.

Randy, did you have hubs made from scratch or did you modify an existing hub?
 
Randy,
Impressive project. Why did you start with a BJ8 hub as a pattern?

Now if you would provide some dimensions for the drawing, I will fire up the LeBlond and the Bridgeport and start making chips.

Very cool hubs!!
 
TFR1,

I have a set that I had cleaned and powder coated, PM me if you have any interest.

PC110013.jpg
Click on image to enlarge.

Thanks,
Duane
'58 BN6
 
Last edited:
TFR1 said:
Randy,
Impressive project. Why did you start with a BJ8 hub as a pattern?

Now if you would provide some dimensions for the drawing, I will fire up the LeBlond and the Bridgeport and start making chips.

Very cool hubs!!
Click to expand...
They were all out of MKI/II hubs (and that was the lone-dust encrusted box NOS disc wheel hub that Southern Carburettors had back in the mid/late 80s).

I wanted them, and after searching for a couple of years, I commissioned three car-sets to be made.

We just had to use the dimensions for the earlier hubs, to keep the original outer bearing size intact.
 
I have a set of early 3000 (MK I, MK II) hubs and a set of BJ8 (MK III) hubs that I am willing to sell. FYI, early hubs will only work with the early spindles, BJ8 hubs will only work with BJ8 spindles. BJ8 spindles are much stronger and if you are into performance or want to get into vintage racing - these are the ones you want. I also have a set of BJ8 spindles for sale. All of this stuff is very rare. If interested, contact me off list.
 
Impressive work Randy, I always admire you design and execution.
 
dougie said:
Impressive work Randy, I always admire you design and execution.
Click to expand...
Thanks Dougie, it's a mutual respect, to be sure!

While I did all the measuring and dimensioning, I was not the one doing the CNC machine work; I had done some side jobs for that shop (at one point saving them tens of thousands of dollars by "saving" a machine that had been condemned__for a PLC fault, no less) so they were glad to return the favor. It did however, take nearly two (<2) years from start to finish, because of man & machine availability, but what do you want for nothing? ;)

I supplied one set of hubs in exchange for the NOS (BJ8) hub I was given. and I ran a pair on my car for a decade or so, keeping a set as spares. When I decided to put the wire wheels back on, I sold off the spare set of hubs to a member here in the St Louis, MO area. I'll keep the remaining pair for when I change my mind again in a few more years, lol!

Actually, if I found a set of original (or faithful reproduction) Halibrands in a 15/16" x 5" width, I'd put those on the car in a heartbeat! Halibrand was about the only (real magnesium) "mag" wheel you could've bought in the late 50s, so they would look perod correct...

... or if I win a lottery, I *might* be able to afford a set of the Dunlop alloys like Reid has! ;) ;)
 
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