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Nasty boy project

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Marvin Gruber

Marvin Gruber

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As my TR250 project will be finishing up in next couple of months, I am thinking seriously on which way to go with a A/H 100/6 I have. Its a roller, it did have a V8 installed in it many years ago. I have A/H motor and trans that I can put in but thinking since its already modified maybe do a Nasty boy. Its a steel wheel car which will help with mod look. My question is which engine do I want to use. Not looking for a high HP engine. Rather go simple old school like small chevy or ford, something still carbed maybe.
Marv
 
Marv,

Welcome to the Darkside! If your choices are between a small block chevy or ford, then I'd probably go with whatever V8 was in the car before if it was done well and the motor mounts are still there. The Ford has one advantage over the Chevy in that it's narrower and requires less cutting of the footwells to fit. Going carbed and relatively low power means you won't need to change the rear end and also mess around with fuel injection. Headers are a concern that you should think of in advance. You can get an idea what I did for my Ford here: https://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,8264 Let me know if you decide to go this way, I've got lots of info on Ford and Chevy old-school swaps and will be happy to help
 
Enjoy!
 
HealeyRick, so you're the "Exploder"! I followed your build when originally posted but did not make the connection until now. I enjoyed the journey and challenges you shared like waiting for the shop to warm up above freezing to continue work etc. GONZO
 
Many years ago there was a fledgling car club at the brand new Berkshire Community College. The organizers ran several auto-crosses on the college property. There was an "everybody drives it" 100/8. Can't remember which engine was in it but it was an automatic. There was no known owner, the car just showed up one day and lived at the school. It's most memorable feature was steering the car mostly with the loud pedal. The Healey would never pass the Mass state inspection so after the autocross season the car disappeared as smoothly as it appeared never to be seen or heard from again. After many auto-crosses and multiple drivers it never (seriously) broke. I bet it would be a blast to drive on the street so best of luck with your project.
 
HealeyRick said:
Marv's looking for a big Healey V8, not a bugeye :devilgrin: Never seen a 215 in a big Healey before.
Click to expand...

The best Healey V8 I've ever seen was an all British conversion using the Buick/Rover aluminum V8 on a 100-4 at the Rendezvous 2003 in Lake Tahoe. I wish I had took some pics, but it was well before cell phone cameras. Very keen engineered and all the performance you'd need tucked discreetly under the hood, a classic sleeper and Porsche killer......
 
dougie said:
The best Healey V8 I've ever seen was an all British conversion using the Buick/Rover aluminum V8 on a 100-4 at the Rendezvous 2003 in Lake Tahoe. I wish I had took some pics, but it was well before cell phone cameras. Very keen engineered and all the performance you'd need tucked discreetly under the hood, a classic sleeper and Porsche killer......
Click to expand...

That would have been the late Kenny Deringer. The 215 had dual Stromberg 2 barrels. He was a fabricator for Dan Gurney on the Eagle project.

See:
https://passionatspeed.blogspot.com/2017/03/v8-healey.html
 
dougie said:
The best Healey V8 I've ever seen was an all British conversion using the Buick/Rover aluminum V8 on a 100-4 at the Rendezvous 2003 in Lake Tahoe. I wish I had took some pics, but it was well before cell phone cameras. Very keen engineered and all the performance you'd need tucked discreetly under the hood, a classic sleeper and Porsche killer......
Click to expand...

I stand corrected, Dougie, and what a beauty. I'm used to seeing the 215 in MGB swaps as it's pretty much the same motor as was installed in the BV8. Think I'd still go with a Ford or Chevy. More available and cheaper parts.



steveg said:
That would have been the late Kenny Deringer. The 215 had dual Stromberg 2 barrels. He was a fabricator for Dan Gurney on the Eagle project.

See:
https://passionatspeed.blogspot.com/2017/03/v8-healey.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, Steve. I passed it on to the Modified Healey facebook page where it was quite well received
 
I have a couple of 215s squirreled away. Hadn't thought about using one of them. If I can find an old 289 I think I will go with that. Jury is still out. I found out about a couple of 100/4 projects yesterday, that may change everything.
Marv
 
I hadn't seen that one with the 215, I think it looks great, and I am sure it is a blast to drive.

Had this engine been available, and the Healey still been a Healey without the Austin involvement I wouldn't be surprised if Donald and company might not have gone more in that direction in further development athe car.

If you want to go small block Ford here is a link to my favorite small block Ford nasty boy.

https://bringatrailer.com/2010/11/28/impressive-build-1956-healey-100-gurney-weslake-v8/
 
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Go with a Honda S2000 engine. The resulting car will weigh about 2100 pounds (340 pounds off the nose end) with 240 HP, a slick six speed and a nice 9000 RPM red line. Only about 152-162 ft/lb of torque, but I suspect the finished product will be a lot faster than an S2000 that weighs 2800 pounds. Keep in mind, that car is capable of a 5.4 0-60 and 14.1 in the quarter mile. Plus the differential will be able to handle that torque and you could run 175-185 tires just fine.
 
Marvin Gruber said:
I found out about a couple of 100/4 projects yesterday, that may change everything.
Click to expand...
Marv,

You seem to have a knack for locating project Healeys. I am awed by your success...
 
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