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Front Shroud replacement

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I believe the Phase I BJ8 shroud is the same as on a Mk II. I know for sure that a Mk II shroud is different froma Mk I -- the grille opening is enough different that you can't just fit one grille in the other.

However, I'm concerned about your shop. Do they know how to weld aluminum? Do they know how to work aluminum? Have they sufficient experience with Healeys? If the next shroud you're getting is fairly decent, it still will likely require welding repair down where it attaches to the frame. Only a NOS shroud would be perfect in this area. Also, it is a good idea to add a 1/16" doubler to these atachment points for added strength. If the first shroud was unusable, I'd like to know why and what your current shop did to it. It would be a shame if they messed it up and do so again on your next one. And shipping a shroud requires very thorough and caeful crating. Will not be cheap, so factor that in as well.

Roger
 
I just want to welcome Roger Moment of Colorado to the British Car Forum; note that the above is his first post. Roger is one of the true gurus of the marque, and it's terrific to have him here amongst us! Between Dave Russell's mechanical knowledge, and Roger's historical/originality/technical knowledge, we have a truly huge resource here.

I don't mean to slight any contributors by not mentioning them, and certainly there is a lot of knoweldge apread across a wide number of us, but Dave and Roger have to be at the top of anyone's list of valuable resources for marque knowledge.

Welcome Roger! I hope you contribute frequently. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
I had a similiar problem with a local shop.
If the shop chosen does not work on old aluminum bodied cars, they are not for you.
Many of these production shops work great on late model cars, but not our cars.
On my car, I had to replace the rear shroud; at the time I was able to source one from the guys in San Leandro (your city, but they are no longer there). Now, I would probably would have to be considering the repair the damaged unit.
One thing I've learned from owning these cars is that anything can be fixed.
Anyway, if I had shroud damage, I would first talk to a local shop, starting with the shops that repair expensive cars, but I would probably end up at Ellery's shop in Piru, California (Ventura County), a recognized expert in Healey body repair.
Luckily you are not too far away.
 
Hi Louie, I would not end up at that shop in Piru. If I were going to ship my car south ASMHLY, I would end up at Absolutely British. Alternatively, Roger Moment may be able to identify good shops in the bay area.---Fwiw---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Hi Reid,
You’re a moderator, can you give Roger a better title in his profile? Newbie just doesn’t seem appropriate.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Reid,
You’re a moderator, can you give Roger a better title in his profile? Newbie just doesn’t seem appropriate.

[/ QUOTE ]

My powers as Moderator are limited, for the good of humankind /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif ! Roger's title will change as he makes more posts. Those titles are not chosen; they're automatically assigned based on the number of times you have posted.

I have mixed feelings about the value of listing the number of times people post -- and assigning titles based on that quantity -- because I think in many cases it encourages people to post useless and/or off-topic comments just for the sake of increasing their totals. But this isn't my website!

However, I come down on the side of freedom of speech, almost no matter how inane that speech might be. Notice I said "almost no matter"... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
I am thankful for all the insite, advise I'm getting here. There is so much to my story, and so little typing space. Quick version. Car was frame off in Maryland with 600 miles on it. I required the PO to drive it to Healey Surgons to look over, before I would consider purchasing the car. Spent $2,500 per their recommendations, to fix this and that. When the car shows up, I am happy, but wanted a better paint job. It was a 20 footer paint job. First shop promises 2 months. I pull it from them after 7 weeks, not one day worked on. Second shop, promises 3 months. I end up doing 75% of "help" work. Can't get them to work on it. Asked if it would be wise to bead blast the car. No, it will be fine, block and sand. After 4 months and demanding more money, yet I've done 75% of work, I pull it from them. Present shop, says we need to bead blast car, because a piece of bondo fell off. OK I say. All the money I gave the previous shop, now gone. Nothing to show for the 4 months and money I gave them. Present shop...comes back from bead blast. WoW, what a lot of damage hidden with bodo. He asks if I can get him another cowl. The Folks here say fix the one I have. I tell him how much a new one is, and that it will require a lot of time to make it fit. We, agree, fix mine. He will be sending the car to someone who welds aluminum, for he does not. Sadly, he has had my car now 7 months, and only put in 6-7 days work on it. I plead with him, but nothing happens. The harder I try, the more the excuses and power trip it becomes. Finding someone to take this job from him, is difficult. They don't want someone elses promblem they say. And if they do take it, when will they take it? We are booked till...then we will need it x months. And we will charge you a lot, for they know the situation I am in, and take advantage of it. There's my situation folks. The current shop does great restoration work, they just keep putting insurance work in front of mine, no matter how much I express my love for the car. This is the same car, my father taught me to drive stick in, I tell him. My mother loved this car also. My beloved parents have passed on. This car has sentimental value to me. Please work on my car, for I only had it two weeks before sending it for a paint job. If I had know the problems I am encountering, I would have painted it later. Please, bodyshop man, please, work on my car. It's been over a year. I promise I'll work on your car he says. Lier, lier, pants on fire. New's flash, someone, most likely by mistake, worked on my car the last two days. What's up with that, is it false hope? That's my story folks. Thanks for your ear. Roger
 
I sympathise with you AUSMHLY I went thru the same!, ended up taking basketcase home after a couple of false starts and then started looking for shop that was capable of ali work, then went and looked at some of their work and talked to some excustomers as references!, finally found one and they even make ali/steel panels by hand, not off the shelf bolt on!
 
HI ASMHLY, ZBLU'S comment triggered the old grey matter. If you have to seek another shop XK's Unlimited in SLO can handle anything on that car that needs to be fabricated or repaired. They are a bit pricey though. Yes they can do a Healey.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
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