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Healey Block Needed

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shorn

Jedi Knight
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The engine for my BJ8 has been out of the car a few weeks for new bearings waiting for the machine shop to work on it. Well they called this morning and have found a crack in the block. Although it may be fixable, they recommend trying to find a usable replacement block. Anyone out there happen to have one laying around. Casting number on my block is 12 B 766, although I don't know if that means much. Obviously, a block located on the west coast (I am in Seattle) would be better than one from Miami, from the transportation standpoint. Thanks all.
 
Hi Shorn, Call Norman Knock he may have one and specify the car model and year. Bill Bolton in Oregon may also be a source.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
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a block located on the west coast (I am in Seattle) would be better than one from Miami

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Skip,
I would contact the newsletter/members of your local Healey club. Might be someone in the area with a spare that is taking up room and you would save a bundle in shipping.

Cheers,
John
 
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Shorn, It may be more than you’re looking for, but Dennis Welch has what appears to be a new, original works block



I see the block that D.W. offers is painted inside what appears to be a redish orange color. Were the original engine blocks painted inside and if so is there an up or down side to doing that. I have always left my engines bear metal but I wash them with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water then blow and vacuum as needed. Should I be painting instead????? BR1
 
Must be Glyptal coating. Seals the pores of the engine casting to provide a smooth surface for the oil. I think Eastwood sells it or find someone who rebuilds engines.

Cheers,
John
 
Shorn, I feel your pain as my block also was cracked. I took mine to a machine shop in Charlotte and they said they could repair it for $800.00. I chose to buy another from Von's in Ft Mill SC ,COST $400.00. by the time I bored and sleeved it back to standard it was back up around the $800.
Make sure you hold on to your wallet when you put new cam bearings and and have them reamed. Ouch! around $250. Good luck. BR1 ( know anyone looking for a good boat anchor?)actually I think I'll hang on to it in case welding techs. on cast iron steps forward and makes it practical (cheap to repair) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif
 
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Shorn, It may be more than you’re looking for, but Dennis Welch has what appears to be a new, original works block
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I see the block that D.W. offers is painted inside what appears to be a redish orange color. Were the original engine blocks painted inside and if so is there an up or down side to doing that. I have always left my engines bear metal but I wash them with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water then blow and vacuum as needed. Should I be painting instead????? BR1

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FWIW when I tore my engine down it too was painted that color inside. Red Glyptol is sometimes used now and such painting is reputed to help seal porous castings and trap any minute sand particles from the casting (which seems highly doubtful for Healey engines with years in service). Its also reputed to help speed the return flow of oil.

I'd see no great advantage to using it, for the downside would be the possibility of poor surface prep and it loosening and flaking off.
 
Shorn, Try to find one that has a diamond with a 2 stamped inside the diamond on the deck. This indicates that it hasn't been decked .If it has they should have marked how much was cut off. You can resleeve the bore but you can't put the top deck back. BR1
 
These come up on ebay periodically. I picked one up for $9.99 and only had to give up the crank since the guy was a racer and only wanted that spare. I also picked one up along with a full sideshifter for free, again just to get it out of the owners storage. Those are both long gone as I traded for other parts. Do keep an eye out, I'll do the same. If you see one in the bay area I would be happy to pick it up and store it until you could get down to pick it up. I am saying this to give you hope. There are still blocks out there to be had on the cheap.
 
Thanks BigHealey,
I agree that there are blocks and whole engines out there. Unfortunately they seem to become available when you don't need them. Obviously, I would like to find something fairly soon so that I can get my Healey back on the road for the good weather season. I am checking with a couple of guys in Oregon now and am hopeful. Nothing has shown up in the Seattle area. I sure appreciate you guys keeping an eye open for one.
Thanks,
Skip Horn
 
Shorn,

I've talked to the local parts shop here in Syracuse, NY. He has several blocks and assorted other goodies. Block: $500, plus $200 to build a crate for shipping and then truck freight to Seattle, he guesstimates another $500. I can vouch for the integrity of the local shop; they've been here as long as I can remember. I have no connection to them. It might be more than you want to spend, but he's got it now. His name is Marshall, the name of the place is Midtown Auto phone: (315) 422-2187.
Dave Richards
 
Also check the Healey Forum (the email version)
 
Found one in Oregon, reasonably priced, good condition. The best part may be that there is another Seattle guy down there now picking up another part for his British car and he maybe able to haul the engine block back here saving me the trip down and back.
 
If you are going to be lucky or good, pick lucky.
 
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