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Hardest project

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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

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I just re-attached the wire that goes to the fan heater switch on a BJ8. (I secured it with a shrink tube so I will not have to do this again) Lots of blood and a soar back. It was easier to remove the gear box. This brings up a the question as to what is the worst project on our cars. Lets hear them.
 
I would have to say assembly of all the body panels, making sure the transition from panel to panel is even smooth and all the gaps are as correct as possible such as door openings is a big one. Had one just this week that was a hard pill to swallow. Bought a GOOD deck lid from a suposed reputable Dealer (more like reprobate) Cost with shipping
$522.00 ,Had rust to the point that I had to weld patches across the bottem edge and even remake some of the angle on the bottem. Spent about 2 days welding and fabricating and bondoing what I thought was going to be a bolt on job. I won't put his name on line but if your curious pm me. Lid also had some minor collision damage. BR2
 
tahoe healey, by far writing the checks! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif some jobs on these cars are easy for some people but not for others experience and aptitude play a big roll in such projects,ie. i put my six bladed fan on without removing the radiator, to me that level of difficulty might ring a #5 on the difficulty meter for others it would be imposable and i dont advise anyone to try it, these cars require a lot of disassembly to complete what would normally be a simple task on other larger cars, and ones inexperience tends to suggest you can perform a fix straight forward in total disregard of proper sequence, i.e., ive seen guys trying to pull a trans. without removing the interior, now thats a perfect example, some people have a great deal of trouble working it confined spaces, i.e. replacing fresh air hose clamps. thats my take on the subject, and oh ya! it doesnt help to be 6'9 and 1/2" while under the dash. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif
 
Good question. The most frustrating task was finding a worthy car in the first place. Not having done the actual restoration work, my experiences are limited. The most onerous project I've encountered so far has been some front-end work...removal/replacement of steering idler, replacing ball joint boots and adjusting the toe-in. I think there is a direct connection between the amount of satisfaction one feels and the difficulty of the project.
 
Replacing the rear leaf springs.
 
bighly said:
Replacing the rear leaf springs.
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Yep, that's it. We have a winner. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

Never did this job myself, gave it to a mechanic to preserve my sanity.
 
healeynut said:
bighly said:
Replacing the rear leaf springs.
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Yep, that's it. We have a winner.
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The rear leaf springs on my car were a piece of cake /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Here's my top contenders (in no particular order):

Getting the taper pin out of the clutch fork.
Refurbishing the speedo and tach.
Removing and setting some of the rivets in the windshield pillars.
Installing the windshield bottom seal.
Installing the rear wheel cylinders locking plates (too much paint on the backing plate)
Modifying Moss seat foam and installing seat covers.
 
I guess each person has had their own "most annoying" jobs.Mine have been in no particular order, fitting a hardtop & side screens, replacing motor mounts, replacing rear springs, R & R'ing the steering & idler box bearings & seals. I think the very worst was replacing the front engine mounts with the engine in place. Luckily, I've not had the pleasure of major body work.
D
 
IM just waiting on someone to list something hard to do on the big Healey besides repairing and fitting body panels.---Keoke-?
 
The hardest thing was getting past the idea that the car was going to be perfect.
Installing the bottom windshield frame to cowl seal was the toughest job for me. I never got it to go in without slitting it at either end and I tried four different seals before I was done.
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif
 
I avoided doing the windshield glass/frame assembly for several years. I even waited over a year after the parts were back from the rechromer (so the chrome would be good & dry...?).

Then, one day I went blindly down to the basement,pulled out all the pieces and put it together.

You just need to be in the right mood...

ws_010.jpg
 
Randy,
Maybe I didn't let my chrome " dry " long enough. That would splain it !
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
I see you don't have a BJ8 so you were able to cheat a little.
The cheating is that you didn't have to stuff the long " T " shaped ridge of rubber into the long channel that has obviously " shrunk " on my car due to the old age of the car or something . /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif
Yep Randy, and PPG makes a plastic tool that makes installing the windscreen rubber to cowl seal less laborious.---Keoke
 
Keoke said:
IM just waiting on someone to list something hard to do on the big Healey besides repairing and fitting body panels.---Keoke-?
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o.k - getting you out of it at about 70 m.p.h. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
I forgot the fight with the windshield seal. So I guess its like child birth (I'm told) that when its over you forget and are up for some other mean task.
 
I guess I’m a glutton for punishment. Trying to find #5 AN fittings for the fuel lines. Installing the wiring harness with some changes and additions to it. Burning/breaking the plastic off the steering wheel and putting wood on. Replacing the 2 SUs with 3 motorcycle carbs.
 
tahoe healey said:
I forgot the fight with the windshield seal. So I guess its like child birth (I'm told) that when its over you forget and are up for some other mean task.
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Ya ain't supose to fight it fit IT!--Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif That there are plenty of difficult steps in restoring any car, but I've been told restoring British Cars are possibly the easiest. When you think about it that's what makes the BCF and Moss motors and all the other suppliers so happy. The very fact that a novice can completely restore a car is truly amazing.

As for body panels, yes it is difficult, but try fitting say a Porsche 356, where from the factory the doors were cutout of the shell and hand filed to fit.
 
For my BN7 - so far, in no particular order of pain:
- rear springs removal. die grinder
- inner A arm bushing pins. sawsall
- 2 out of the 3 long bolts that hold steering box to frame. had to drill them out.
- writing the checks
- listening to wife complain about no space in the garage (and trying to avoid discussing the $$$ spent to date!)
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nopity.gif
 
HealeyDave said:
For my BN7 - so far, in no particular order of pain:

- listening to wife complain about no space in the garage (and trying to avoid discussing the $$$ spent to date!)
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nopity.gif
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That's funny, yet so true!
May not be the "Hardest project" as far as labor, patience, bloody knuckles or certain words not commonly spoken.

Or maybe your wife is so super cool...

One day you find her standing in the middle of the garage, surveying your project. She looks up at you and says...Honey, we need to talk. Why is she super cool? Followed with... I'm so proud of you! This car is really starting to take shape. I can see why you want to spend so much time out here and I understand why it costs more than you thought. Honey, your the best, take me now! wink wink.
Cheers, Roger
 
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