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Good upgrades to a stock BJ8

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Bill,

I can't say that I noticed a difference since I did that during a total rebuild that took a few years. My concern was mostly for the the heavy load on the dash switch.
 
I added more fuses, some with a fuse box and some in-line fuses.
It's not pretty, but it is functional.
IMG_1498-1-1.jpg


There are more expensive ways to do this that might look/fit better.
 
Hi Bill,

It is not only the gauge of the wire but, in original form, power passes to the headlight switch before flowing through the dip switch on its journey over a number of connectors to the headlights. By having power pass over larger gauge wire from the alternator/generator/battery through the 30Amp relays to the lights, power loss from multiple connections (switches and harness connectors) and under-sized wiring is eliminated and your original switches and harnesses handle only enough power to switch the relays and light your panel, parking and directionals.

Remember, your unfused circuit consisting of 45+ year old switches and harnesses designed for lighting technology of the 1950s. In that day it was common to have headlights with between 25W and 40W of draw. Today, headlights of between 55W and 100W each are not uncommonly installed on Healeys. Add the draw of a set of driving lights on this same unfused under gauged circuit and, along with your panel, parking and directionals, you have a formula for disaster.

Also, I agree with TimK as additional fusing is, in my opinion, critical. I have installed approximately 13 additional in-line fuses covering all critical circuits. I chose in-line as it was easier to select a specific circuit and hide the fuse. Due to my ageing memory, I was forced to create a directory of fuses and their locations.

Hope this helps,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
19. Why not just buy a Mazda?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

For me a high torque starter is number one. Definitely not wing mirrors of any kind on the fenders, they look bad and don't work.

I don't live in a hot climate and have never had a problem with overflow and I didn't in hot Canadian summers either.

No to the rear view mirror pedastal as well.

Not sure why you really need negative camber unless you are planning on racing the car.

I realise however that we all like to do things to the cars because...we like to do something to the cars... other than just drive them.

I'm off to review my list!!! AH Spares order book at the ready.
 
Dered, the Healey is one car for all ages. When I purchased my Healey, I was near sighted and installed wing mirrors as was the fashion. Although the mirrors were useless to me at the time, as I grew older and, as commonly happens, my site shifted from near to far, the mirrors finally became an asset. So, just wait a little.

More Fresh Air

Fig%2525208.jpg


Fig%2525206.jpg


One uncommon alteration I installed was to add controllable power to my fresh air vent. This was done through the installation of a bilge blower within the air duct in the engine compartment controlled by a 5-speed power control. With a deflector directing the airstream into the foot well, this addition has been greatly appreciated. However, since it is not air-conditioning, on a 90+ day your feet will never enjoy a really cool breeze.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Forgot to add.

Definitely change the steering wheel. Go for an equally spaced three spoke wood rim version a la Moto Lita. Not only does this look much better, it is a period modification and makes manouevring the car easier even though the wheel is smaller and there is less leverage.

I believe Donald healey was quoted as saying he expected all owners to change the wheel and the only reason the originals were on the car was because they were cheap to buy.

No doubt the other items, like spin on filters and electronic ignition, etc, etc make life simpler and the car maybe more reliable...BUT...BUT...BUT...isn't that why we have classic cars. Precisely because part of the enjoyment is tinkering with them and doing our own servicing.
 
DerekJ said:
Forgot to add.

Definitely change the steering wheel. Go for an equally spaced three spoke wood rim version a la Moto Lita. Not only does this look much better, it is a period modification and makes manouevring the car easier even though the wheel is smaller and there is less leverage.

I believe Donald healey was quoted as saying he expected all owners to change the wheel and the only reason the originals were on the car was because they were cheap to buy.

No doubt the other items, like spin on filters and electronic ignition, etc, etc make life simpler and the car maybe more reliable...BUT...BUT...BUT...isn't that why we have classic cars. Precisely because part of the enjoyment is tinkering with them and doing our own servicing.
Click to expand...


DerekJ I'm on page with your thinking, however some of us don't want to change the driving experence given by the steering wheel. When I purchased my car from the previous owner it had the Moto Lita wooden three spoke steering wheel. I drove it with the Moto Lita for a while and realized I'm missing part of the driving experence I grew up with. I replaced it back to the stock 16 1/2" banjo steering wheel. Why?

BUT...BUT...BUT...isn't that why we have classic cars.
The banjo steering wheel is thin, it's diameter is big and it flexes in your hands. And that is part of the experience of how it feels when driving a classic car, the Healey. Again, personal choice and I want the drive to feel like a stock Healey. Same flexable steering wheel, no upgraded gas shocks, no fuel injection, no big V8 under the bonnet.

I agree, adding things like a spin on oil filter, electronics in the distributor and electronic fuel pump make our cars more reliable. Adding lights in the reflector or driving lights up front add to the safety factor. None of those things modify the driving feel that the chassis, shocks and steering wheel provide, which is to me, the true experience/pleasure of driving a vintage car.

Cheers,
Roger
 
My wife would pick the heated seats that we installed. MOSS was having a sale about two years ago where if you bought a certain dollar volume, you could pick something for free. The seat pads were easy to install as we were doing the seats and when it is cold they do keep you warm. Not visable except for a few inches of wire in the the back of the seat.

Jerry
BJ8
 
DerekJ said:
19. Why not just buy a Mazda?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

For me a high torque starter is number one. Definitely not wing mirrors of any kind on the fenders, they look bad and don't work.

I don't live in a hot climate and have never had a problem with overflow and I didn't in hot Canadian summers either.

No to the rear view mirror pedastal as well.

Not sure why you really need negative camber unless you are planning on racing the car.

I realise however that we all like to do things to the cars because...we like to do something to the cars... other than just drive them.

I'm off to review my list!!! AH Spares order book at the ready.
Click to expand...

You remind me of the Ferrari driver in Cannonball Run. "The first rule of Italian racing; what's behind you doesn't matter."
 
DerekJ said:
Forgot to add.

...
No doubt the other items, like spin on filters and electronic ignition, etc, etc make life simpler and the car maybe more reliable...BUT...BUT...BUT...isn't that why we have classic cars. Precisely because part of the enjoyment is tinkering with them and doing our own servicing.
Click to expand...



NO, NO, and heck NO. Sitting on the side of the road on a rainy day trying to dry out my points so the car will start; hitting a starter motor with a 2x4 trying to get it to engage; or lying underneath the car it with the working space provided by the spare tire jack, using the spare wheel for a jack stand while I try to service the fuel pump on a 90 degree day is all stuff I want to keep in the rearview mirror of my misspent youth. You and the rest of the masochists should feel free to soldier on under the banner of originality with a box full of spares, a junior technichian's tool kit and a tow chain in the trunk.

I built this car with my own two hands and that was my enjoyment. Once it is sorted out, I'll identify the next project and dig in again. But once they are done, I want to do as little maintenance as possible.
 
Legal Bill said:
You remind me of the Ferrari driver in Cannonball Run. "The first rule of Italian racing; what's behind you doesn't matter."
Click to expand...
Wasn't that Gumball Rally with Michael Sarrazin?
 
GregW said:
Legal Bill said:
You remind me of the Ferrari driver in Cannonball Run. "The first rule of Italian racing; what's behind you doesn't matter."
Click to expand...
Wasn't that Gumball Rally with Michael Sarrazin?
Click to expand...
It was Gumball Rally and if you're going to repeat the "first ruke", you must also be willing to remove your rearview mirror with your hand and throw it behind you.
 
Not quite - I like to see what is behind me, but you will see nothing through those little round mirrors on stalks perched at the front of the wing, even if you ever get them positioned correctly.

Best bet is a door mirror of somekind. Us roadster guys can slot one into the hole for the sidescreen.
 
Side view mirrors are not too useful on the convertibles due to the vent window and associated frame work. I'm thinking of mounting my wing mirrors much closer to the windshield, somewhere between the front of the chrome spears and the rear hood line. Since the factory did not install them, I don't think the location is important for those purists out there.
 
:savewave: Hi Bill,

Two things to consider about where the wing mirrors are mounted.
1. How it affects working in the engine compartment.
2. Will the dash mirror block the view of the wing mirror. (Stock short dash mirror or one having a riser block or taller stem)

I do not have any exterior mirrors and rely on the dash mirror. One can get use to turning your head to see the blind spots and seeing what's behind you via the dash mirror.

Maybe someday I'll start a post on what percentage of us don't have external mirrors.

Cheers,
Roger
 
I find a longer stem dash mirror and a mirror on the quaterlight, which has now been on the car for two years and 8000 miles and has never come loose, cover all areas I'm interested in seeing. Not sure if driver height has any effect, I'm 5'10. I tried a few experiments with other mirrors on the wings and doors but they weren't suitable for me and I didn't want to drill holes and then be unhappy.

Ian
 
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