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Healey 3000 cylinder bore

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Hello James Wilson,

The Volvo pistons used were from the B19 engine which start out at 3.500".

This brings the engine capacity up to 3311 cc (202 cu ins).

Hello davidb,

Nice color combination on your car there, is that OEW?

Yes another change of direction for the thread.

Best regards,

bundyrum.
 
Bundyrum,

Thanks for the comment on the BT7 color combination.

Actually it's pewter gray and crimson red, both Chrysler colors from the late 70s, done up in base/clearcoat. Original color was solid OEW, which I find to be a little boring (altho I do like that Coronet Cream on very early Healeys), then red, but I always liked the looks of the two tone, with darker color on the bottom. I went through about 30 odd combinations before settling on this one. I find that this color combination gives me an extra 20-30 horsepower, based on personal research with speed traps. I have the paint codes if you're interested.

That's my wife, in original colors, looking just a little too possessive of the family toy...

Regards
Dave
 
:thankyousign:
Gotcha Randy, thanks again.
 
Hello James Wilson,

The Volvo pistons used were from the B19/B20 engine.

The set I have on my shelf are actually "Hepolite" p/n 20614V1.

I bought them through an uncle in Newcastle at the time.

Best regards,

bundyrum.
 
Thanks fopr that information.

I think the stroke is different, and was also wondering about the wirst pin (I think it's a metric size), issues about clearance between the top of the piston and the head/valves, etc. Compression ratio... all the things that could go wrong....

I'd appreciate any information and guidance you might provide....

James
 
Hello JamesWilson,

Have you heard of the people at Orchard Restorations in the UK. I don't know what bore size they use but they seem to have a couple of very successful historic rally cars out there.

www.orchardrestorations.co.uk

With the Volvo pistons they are shorter in the compression height by 0.155". The wrist pin is smaller in diameter by 0.010".

When I was looking into it my plan was to machine out the wrist pin bores and install bronze bushings. Then, bore the bushings offset to bring the piston to within about 0.063" from the top of the bore.

Some people I know of who have fitted the Volvo pistons have had the top of the block machined off to 'make the piston come to the top of the bore" but I don't believe in doing that.

This way it would have kept the compression to about 9.3:1 which I think is good for a road car because of the fuel specs (i e unleaded).

Since then I have been given an opportunity to go in an entirely different direction that I cannot talk about here unfortunately.

I hope this helps in some way or another.

Best regards,

bundyrum.
 
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