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Engine compartment Mods/Spruce Up vs Original

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AUSMHLY

AUSMHLY

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We all want our cars to be reliable.

Some restore to original, some make modifications with newer technologies. Some of the technology is hidden, like electronic ignition and fuel pump. Some mods are more obvious like a spin on oil filter. Some mods are simply for looks, like polishing the carburetors and replacing the valve cover with something shinny...ok, guilty as charged /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I was wondering what the members here have done. Are there more originals or modified.

I have seen some really beautiful spruced up engine compartments at some of the Healey car shows.
Maybe you'd like to post/share a photo of what your engine compartment looks like. Before and after are always nice.

Cheers,
Roger
 
AUSMHLY said:
Are there more originals or modified.
Click to expand...

There must be many more in the 'modified' category. Once you change just one thing .. it is no longer all original, no?

Looking forward to seeing the pictures but you don't want to see mine since it won't have any visible mod's. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
I like Austin Healey engines, even if the specification is prosaic. But they do look nicer with a bit of polished alloy about. I have fitted a ribbed, cast alloy valve cover. Then I had to polish the SU dashpots!
For ease of maintenance I have a spin on filter although I hear the greenies now frown on these! I bought a secondhand brake fluid reservoir awhile ago which was chrome plated. I just had to use it when I restored my BN1, but it is hard to see on a RH steer car, way down next to the engine mount.
Alwyn
 
I started my restoration effort as a mostly original. As time went on, I decided to replace some known problem items. Fuel pump as an example.
Then "upgrade" the spin on oil filter, electronic ignition. Stainless flex fan. I did paint the fan yellow, in an effort to keep the original color at least.
Then...what started out as a simple repaint the valve cover took on a life of it's own. Removed, bead blasted, primed, painted. Still I could not get it to look as nice as I have seen on other cars. I re-do the entire process again. Still not right. Those who know me, know I strive for better than that's about the best it will get. After a lot contemplation and staring at the engine compartment, I made my decision. I veered off the Original path and strolled down the....Hey the aluminum valve covers look nice. Two hours after UPS dropped it off, I started masking it off to paint it. Healey engine green should do the trick.

Before and after.

Cheers, Roger
 
Fortunately, the word “original” has a couple different meanings. So except for the Denis Welsh valve cover, my motor is original. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif I wish Ray Juncal’s valve covers were available at the time I bought mine, those are the nicest in my opinion.
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Roger, what you appear to have is an automotive work of art. It's your personal expression of what you perceive as mechanical beauty. And it is, imho, quite beautiful. So whether it's original or not is immaterial. You're not passing it off as "original," but indeed it is original, your original. Take it as far as your tast dictates. What you've done reminds me of he Jaguar XKE engines. Good on.
 
Roger, you are so OUT OF CONTROL!

Randy
 
Roger, Greg and Randy are all out of control, for different reasons... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
Hi Roger,

The Healey green inlay between the valve cover ribs is very classy. Nice job and your engine bay is looking really good.

BTW, is that one of Ray's valve covers or from another source?

Cheers,
John
 
dar100 said:
Roger, Greg and Randy are all out of control, for different reasons... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
Click to expand...

Wow ! to all three
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif
 
John Loftus said:
Hi Roger,

The Healey green inlay between the valve cover ribs is very classy. Nice job and your engine bay is looking really good.

BTW, is that one of Ray's valve covers or from another source?

Cheers,
John
Click to expand...

Hi John,
Thanks for your kind words.
Yes, that is Ray's valve cover. I spent a bit of time researching valve covers. I liked his design the best. Nice to hear that some folks like my introduction of a little color too.
Ciao,
Roger
 
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