It LIVES!!

[Randy Forbes]

A little deception never hurt anyone...

I asked Sue to come out and hold the Healey's throttle pedal to the floor so I could set the linkage on the Webers (to avoid over travel).
"Okay, try it a couple times" (pumping a little raw fuel into the sleepy cylinders).

At that point I leaned into the cockpit and switched on the ignition (she just watched). As soon as I touched the starter button, the engine exploded into life!

Now we all know that a long dormant Healey doesn't start THAT easy. Before I called Sue out, I had rolled the engine to 10 degrees BTDC and cranked the distributor to where the points were just cracking.

Did I mention that it has no exhaust system? Just open headers

Yes, it got a few neighbors to come out and take a look see.

I had forwarned them that they'd know when I got it started...

 

[LanceLyon]

Congratulations Randy! I know the feeleing and it's great!

 

[Bugeye58]

Way to go, Randy! I know the feeling well, and there's nothing like it.
Did you break out the bubbly?
Jeff

 

[Randy Forbes]

Thanks guys!

Yes, very inspirational. It'll make it a little easier to face the remainder of the front suspension/caliper overhaul, completion of the wiring and dozens of other details left to do.

I'm saving the big celebration for the first time it turns a wheel on Ohio pavement (doesn't mean it will be finished, but an exhaust system is high on my priority list and the shop is only two blocks away).

 

[healeys4me]

Randy, great news and congratulations! The good news is whenever you want to take a break from the other jobs, just crank up the engine and get motivated all over again. How long had the engine been "asleep"?

 

[Stretch]

Hey, maybe you'll get it going for the vintage car racing in Pittsburgh mid-July. Love to see and hear it. I needed a similar plan to go to Watkins Glen to finally "get it done"

 

[Patton]

Congratulations!!!!

 

[Brian N.]

Yippeeee!!!!!

I'm all grins right there with you!

Happy motoring.