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Its a live! BJ8

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Marvin Gruber

Marvin Gruber

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After a years worth of work, I cranked the BJ8 and ran it for 15 minutes today. Couple of carb adjustments, one bad plug wire and its running pretty good. I did find bubbles around a head bolt. Checked torque on it, 40 lbs. So guess I will be torquing head tomorrow. First time I've run into head bolts loosening up that soon after building but I haven't built that many Healey engines. I'm sure I will have to reset valves clearance as well.

Marv
 
Hi Marv,

Judging from the comments of others over the years, re-torqueing head bolts after initial start-ups, is not all that uncommon.

The uncommon, that I experienced after shaving the head 0.060" and replacing a blown original head gasket was a little more startling. Back in 1968, my Healey was stolen for a night of fun and found the next day a block away with a blown head gasket. After doing the head work (using all the same original parts) and resetting the ignition statically, I was in the process of adjusting the carburetors and inadvertently flipped the linkage over resulting in 2 fully opened carburetors. Not realizing my error, I slid into the drivers seat and fully opened the choke and began to crank the engine. After a number of revolutions, the engine fired up and, in an instant, buried the tachometer needle before I could turn off the key. During that brief period, black smoke spewed from the exhaust causing the panic of 2 friends to run from the gas station garage I worked at part-time during my college days.

After the incident, I was sure I had done something bad to the engine and, after realizing what had caused the run-away, began to recheck the torque of the head bolts. All bolts were tight and no adjustments were necessary. Cautiously restarting the car, I drove home and continued to drive with the same engine with the same internal parts in place today. A few years back, when rebuilding my valve train and equipped with a new digital torque wrench, I checked the torque of my head bolts and found all quite tight with no re-torque needed.

I have grown to realize how strong and robust these engines are and, although not technologically advanced even when new, I am still having fun after over 50 years of tinkering.

Marv, sorry for the long story but just re-torque and don't stress the small stuff,

Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
Marv:

Retorting the head bolts after rebuild and the first startup/warm up and cool down is considered SOP
 
Retorqued and running. Set choke cables today. What a pain! Left air filters off for a while until I get to drive it some. Had to change fuel bowl metering jets out, they kept pouring gas out the over flow tubes. Had a set of grose jets and that fixed one more problem. If the upholster will finish seats and console I will be close.
Marv
 
Most people I've talked to neglect to properly torque the Rockershaft studs. This is important to do.
 
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