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Inheriting a BJ8 - Questions...

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BrandonBJ8

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Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum. My dad (from Southampton, UK) has had his Healey for at least 20 years. However, it hasn't been running for at least 6-7 years(before I could drive). Well, I will be moving to Arizona to a nicer climate and he is giving it to me as a going away/wedding present. We took it to a British mechanic here in Oklahoma to make it run again. The biggest problem were the brakes, along with a lot of other small things that came from having "back-yard" mechanics work on it in the past. Well, it's up and running and I am going to pick it up on Friday and drive it(2 hours) to my Dad's for the time being. It will be the first time for me to drive it and I am extremely excited! The car is in great running condition now, except for the exhaust. Being a car guy myself, I love great sounding exhausts. It currently has a 15 year-old Midas system that my Dad put on it. It has a life time warranty so we could get another one, but I was wondering if there are any other options for an exhaust system?

Also, the radio currently in it is extremely old and doesn't work. I was wondering if anyone has installed a radio that looks good in the Healey's interior? (This may come later down the road).

I am really excited about inheriting this car. My dad loved it, but because of work he wasn't able to properly restore and remodel it. Over the next many years, I plan to completely restore the interior and exterior of the car. But for now, I want to take care of the exhaust and then once I get it I will evaluate everything to see what needs to be done next.

Thanks,
-Brandon
 
Welcome Brandon.
If you don't have one already, order up a catalogue from Moss Motors. The parts breakdown is indispensable. I just installed their stainless exhaust on my BJ8 and it fit well with just a little tweeking.
https://www.mossmotors.com/CatalogRequest/RequestForm.aspx

Also if the radio is the original, hold on to it and either have it repaired or updated(or sale it to me). Two post radios are pretty much a thing of the past. You will find some for sale on Ebay. Here's another option:
https://www.soundmove.com/index.htm

Congrats and good luck.
 
Brandon,
I installed a AM, FM, CD player in my 1964 BJ8 under the glove compartment. Since my Healey is still positive ground and the radio is negative ground, I had to totally isolate the radio so that it wouldn't ground on the metal of the car. A car stereo store sold me a plastic case in which to mount the radio, and I just just mounted the case under the glove box with small bolts & nuts. I mounted as far to the right as I could so that the hood release did not interfer. Positive power for the radio came from a wire that connected to ground of the car (a screw into the heater box, I think) and negative came from the ignition switch. You must not hook up an antenna that grounds to the car body as that will fry the radio. I bought an electronic antenna that is a small plastic box (4 inches X 3/4 inch) that sticks to the windshield. It also requires power. Total Cost Radio..$100 Plastic Case $20 Antenna $ 20. For speakers, I bought 2 small 4 inch speakers ($20), made a wood bracket and installed them under the dash behind the center console, with the left speaker facing the drivers side and right speaker facing the passenger side. The radio and the speakers are almost totally hidden (good since my Healey always has the top down). The sound is not terrific as the speakers are undersized, but were the largest that would fit the area. I did not want to cut up the car and place speakers in panels, etc.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies.

Regarding the exhaust, is the OEM exhaust best or are their better aftermarket alternatives?

On the radio, I am not sure if mine is the original or not. I don't think it is. Does anyone have a picture of what the original looks like?

Thanks,
-Brandon
 
Congratulations Brandon, you are one lucky person indeed.
You might want to check the battery connections to see if your car has been converted to negative ground. It's a common change and lots of people have done it. Please take it to someone familiar with this procedure. There is, I'm sure, a thread on this Forum to do it yourself if your knowledgable on electronics. I would reccomend the stainless steel Moss exhaust system. Again, take it to someone knowledgable. It's too valuable a car to have Midas work on it.
Another suggestion, join a local Austin Healey car club. I could sign you up if you want, to the Austin Healey Club of America (AHCA). We put out a nice magazine called "Healey Marque" and offer lots of club support in your area. Plus lots of fun things to do in a Healey. Visit our website at
www.healeyclub.org good luck with the car.
Don't forget to list your car in the British Car Forum's "members cars" section. Looking forward to seeing pictures.
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Thanks Johnny. Actually, my Dad is a member of the AHCA. I will have to register as well, once I get the car and move out to Arizona.
I have had the best british car mechanic in Oklahoma working on the car to get it back and running again. For the exhaust and radio, I'll take it to a reputable place as well. I think the car has been converted to negative ground, but I'll have to check with my mechanic when I pick it up on Friday. Thanks everyone!
-Brandon
 
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