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New Member + 3000 MKII project

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grover

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I wanted to post a quick introduction. My name is Grover and I am in the Dallas area.

Several years ago I inherited a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 from my Uncle. Black with Red interior, tri-carb, all 3 tops, wire wheels, electric ovedrive. I have the original bill of sale and title. It was his daily driver in Ft Worth for many years. I have fond memories as a child of visting him and getting a ride in the Healey.

healey1.jpg


The car itself has not run since probably 1995. I had to buy a new house with an extra garage to work on it. Also, kids, moving, life, etc. means that I have not had much time to "get started". I finally pulled it out the other day and spent a week blowing 30 years of road grime off the undercarraige. It's back in the garage and ready for action.

healey2.jpg


The paint is decent but it's cracked on the hood/trunk. The interior is pretty well worn. The underside seems like it's ok - although I'm sure brakes and shocks need freshening.

My plan is to get it on the road. I'm not looking for a full restoration - as this is a "family car" and will not be sold. Also - I like to drive cars - not look at them. So, I would like to clean it up - but not so much I'm afraid to drive it.

So the plan is this:
-Go through everything mechanical
-Fix the paint where necessary
-New interior

Step 1 is to see if the engine will run.
-Oil and Filter change (researching oil)
-Replace all fuel and clean tank
-Rebuild carbs
-Change spark plugs
-MMO in cyls
-Check compression
-Clean/replace distributor/rotor/coil
-Check spark
-Replace collant/belts


When it's running, I'll work my around the rest of the mechanical bits.

Time for me to start doing some serious research on the forums!

If you're in the Dallas area and want to stop by - I have some cold ones in the fridge.

Grover
 
Hi Grover, and welcome to the board. Huge collection of data here, and plenty of long-term owners.

Sounds like you have an excellent plan worked out, but try not to get caught up in the <span style="font-style: italic">might as well</span> syndrome. You know, while you're doing one (1) thing, you <span style="font-style: italic">might as well</span> do <span style="font-style: italic">this</span> too; before you know it, the whole car will be in pieces!

In the past several years, there's been a major shift in the old car hobby, moving away from total 99.9% perfection, and more towards preservation. The cracked paint on the hood, etc. will be seen as a badge of honor. Trust me, when your car is at a local show, more people will be studying the details of your car, than looking at the pristine example parked next to you.

Myself, and everyone else here loves to see pictures, so please take lots of them and post them up for us all to see. It's a pretty mature bunch here, so if we don't like something, we generally avoid saying anything negative. Whenever I'm working on a car, be it my own or a customer's, I document it all with my digital camera, so I might have an image online (www.rfdm.com/gallery) that'll help you out.

Have fun!
 
Welcome Grover. I can tell you first hand that the forums here are unbelievably valuable for help and info. The number of searches I've done through the archives is simply uncountable :smile: Everything you could ever want to do or fix has likely been discussed several times here somewhere.

And don't forget to join the NTAHC... https://www.ntahc.org/

You'll find there are lots of Healey enthusiasts in the Dallas area, and the club always has stuff going on (including monthly tech sessions where you can get hands on with your car or others).

Regards,
Robert
 
Thanks for the feedback. I'll get some pics, vin#'s, etc. posted here soon.

I have some homework to do from Victoria to figure out *exactly* what I have to order the right oil filter, etc.

Trying to figure out a good "intial order" to get started....
 
grover said:
...
Several years ago I inherited a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 from my Uncle. Black with Red interior, tri-carb, all 3 tops, wire wheels, electric ovedrive. ...
Click to expand...

Looks to be a BN7-II (two-seater). These are highly desirable, as relatively few (355 from 4/61 to 6/62) were built. And, if it happens to have the center-shift transmission it is one of only 70 or so that were built, which makes them VERY special. The original hard tops are worth a small fortune.

Your uncle had good taste.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Looks to be a BN7-II (two-seater). [/QUOTE]

No - it's a four-seater. I should have said that. I forget about all the styles. I'll have to figure out how to retro-fit seat belts for the kiddos.

I'm glad that he had the hard-top. I think it basically has all options for that year. Not sure though. I'll post the original bill of sale when I find it. Title too - although I'm going to "lose" that before trying to put it in my name.

Grover
 
Hi Grover and welcome. My bit of advice would be that when youve changed the oil, take out the plugs and spin the engine on the starter till the oil pressure starts to come up. Much less danger then of doing a bearing through oil starvation on start. The pressure should beabove 50 lbs cold.
Best of luck
Ian
 
Yes, what Ian says. Our oil pumps are driven off the camshaft, and not easily bypassed.

Quite a number of years ago, I fashioned a prelube pump with a Spridget starter motor and a D/D fuel injector pump, connected into my oil cooler fitting. It worked great, and I used it on numerous fresh engine builds, but at about 40#, it wasn't all that convenient to tote around (plus it leaked at the drive seal__likely why it was removed from the offshore stationary engine in the first place).

Depending on the car's mileage, your rockershaft is probably already worn__very few are not__so pouring oil over it as you're filling the sump will probably get it lubed adequately as well. Might want to set the rocker cover back on the head while you're spinning it on the starter, lest you throw oil all over the engine bay :wink:
 
:yesnod: Nice car Grover and welcome to the forum. You do indeed have a nice car their to start with. I wish I had a nickel for every guy who's said just what you did. Ha, just kidding, I do know eventually you will completely restore the car.

Maybe you could start by draining the gas tank and flushing it out. There's a drain plug underneath near the center. Refill with a good premium fuel, remove the hose feeding the carbs and turn on the ignition. You can learn a lot by what comes out ( and where ). Be sure and replace a fuel filter if you have one installed. You just might not have to rebuild the carbs, BTW how many carbs are there?
 
Johnny,

I've been "starting" this project for like 8 years now. But - I'm a bit more motivated this time.

The fuel filter up by the engine (is that even stock) is clear. All of the gas is out of it - but it doesn't look like it left any varnish. So, I'm optimistic about the carbs.

I didn't know about the drain on the gas tank - that's a good point. I'd like to take a look inside before "using" it. My wife's uncle gave us a pair of old Sea-Doos and their tanks were nasty. But, it was more modern 5 year old gas.

My goal at this point is to safely get it on the road. Then, I'll tinker as necessary.

Grover
 
I am a new owner of a 1961 Austin Healey 3000 MK II BT7 Four Seater. I have many questions and hope to find the right forum to ask them in. Hope I am in the right place.
 
stretchit2 said:
I am a new owner of a 1961 Austin Healey 3000 MK II BT7 Four Seater. I have many questions and hope to find the right forum to ask them in. Hope I am in the right place.
Click to expand...

OH my goodness yes
you are in the right place. Come right in: Now what in the world are your questions?------Keoke--- :laugh:
 
Welcome Stretch,
You are in the correct forum. To start a new thread with questions, you want to be up one level in the forum. Along the top of the page you'll see this "British Car Forum » Forums » British Automobiles » Austin Healey »" Just under that you'll see a button marked "New Topic" click on that to start a new thread. :smile:
 
Thanks, will do
 
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