First run in the Restored Car

[Jerry]

Our 1967 BJ8 had its first run in many years. It was a good run but I could tell some adjustments are needed. The timing is a little off. The car does not have the power of my 59. The brakes are also a little different. The pedal has no fade but feels a little stiff, almost like the brake servo is not working. I will try to disconect vacume hose and see if there is any difference.

I also noticed that I am sitting too high in the car, I have to duck a little to see below the top rail of the windshield. I guess I will pull the bottom out and put more holes in the seat.

The steering wheel is much closer to the driver than in the 59. I am pretty sure it is adjusted all the way in.

I also notice that there is less room for your feet in the BJ8.

But boy is it fun to drive after working on it for the last two years.

Jerry
BJ8
BN4

 

[Keoke]

Good show glad to hear you have it back on the road.---Keoke :thumbsup:

 

[Bob_Spidell]

An easy way to test the brake servo is to hold pressure on the brake pedal as you start the car. When the engine fires the pedal should go down an inch or so if the servo is working.

 

[Jerry]

Thanks for the test for the servo. Makes sense once you think about it. I also pulled up and old discussion on setting the timing and carbs which I will use to check everything again.

I have a picture also. The resolution is low so the red looks a little washed out.

Jerry
BJ8

 

[judow]

:thumbsup: Very nice! But, who is the happier one, driver or passenger??? I truly can appreciate the thrill of your drive as my first Agatha drive is still in the forefront of my memory and it began the first of many journal entries. Enjoy - that is what life is for.

 

[Jerry]

That is my daughter in the passenger seat. She has always "claimed" the TR3 as her car. But after riding in this one, she may change her choice.

Our local club meeting is tomorrow night and hopefully, one of the members will bring a BJ8 that I can compare of few things. I want to see if the steering wheel is in as far as it will go. Seems much closer than my BN4.

Jerry

 

[Keoke]

Hi Jerry, The position of the steering wheel can be established by looking at the chrome trim ring at the base of the adjuster. If this spring like cover looks like a solid 1/2" band then that's all the farther in she will go.--Keoke

 

[nevets]

Nice car. Regarding the steering wheel seeming closer than that of the BN4, one thing to check is whether your favorite BN4 driving outfit also feels a little snug.

Just kidding.

Ergonomics is not a Healey strong point.

 

[Jerry]

That is a good one! I won't show that one to my wife, she might agree!

One more item on the Brake Servo. I don't remember bleeding it. I just bled the wheels. But I would have expected something to show up at the pedal.

Jerry

 

[Jerry]

Brake servo test says it is not working. I will try bleeding it. This original servo came with the car in a sealed plastic bag and looked to be rebuilt. It had nice new paint and everything was clean. It did sit for at least 4 years prior to use. Is there anything else that could be checked?

Jerry
BJ8

 

[healeynut]

Jerry -

Take the big cover off the can and see if you can exercise the piston a little bit. Sometimes when these are rebuilt, the rubber seal put under the leather seal is too big, causing the piston to stick.

If it feels a little tough to move, you can take the rubber seal out, cut it in half, and put it back under the leather seal. That usually works.

Alan

 

[Jerry]

Alan,

Can I do that with the base still on the car, or do I need to take it off the footwell?

Jerry

 

[Keoke]

Hi Jerry, my advice is to bundle the booster up and send it to Power Brake Exchange in San Jose for a repair. You can bypass it and keep driving the car until it comes back. ---Fwiw-Keoke