One year anniversary of owning a Healey

[pkmh]

Just thought I'd share...

It's been just over a year since I bought my Healey (Oct. 10, 2010).

Still have a lot to do but accomplished a lot since I've had it.

A couple of pictures of the car "as purchased" on that October 10th day and a couple of shots "as of last month or so ago." The air cleaners have since been reinstalled and hard to really see, but the new Vredestien tires are also in place.

Just retuned the carbs yesterday and tinkered with the vacuum advance. Still trying to find the best performance or better yet, the best acceleration and shifting smoothness, especially at the lower gears. Doing much better than before but still feel I can improve by another 10 or 20 percent.

But I drove it today in perfect weather on a winding river side road and it was simply a thrill. People sure do take a second look when you are in a Healey and it nice to hear shouts of approval from people when zipping by.

I still have my electrical issues, but found a place close by that will test and rebuild my generator if necessary. That will be done during the colder weather. Then onto restoring the instruments, gauges, other electrical woes. I do keep a spare battery in the trunk just in case.

For now, I can drive her during the day with no problems.

Always lots to do, but looking better little by little.

Happy Healey-ing all!

PS. Hope it's okay to post pictures here instead of links. (Let me know).

Paul

 

[John Turney]

Looking much better! :thumbsup:

 

[Keoke]

Hope it's okay to post pictures here instead of links. (Let me know).


Yep it sure is and everyone loves pictures.--Keoke

 

[TimK]

It is amazing what a relatively minor amount of work done in the engine compartment can transform the impression one gets. I wonder why the seller didn't make that extra effort given the good looking exterior. Good work, Paul.

 

[pkmh]

Well Tim K,

My photos do tell a great white lie. The exterior does look very nice and perhaps is doing better than the interior. But this car could use a cosmetic overhaul as well. If looking at the front grille head on, it does appear a little crooked. The car has had minor collision damage in the front.

Also, there are dings and chips in numerous places and areas where rust had occurred behind the fenders and floorboards. But not as bad as one would assume. The hood paint has evidence of alligator skin. The chassis, I'm happy to say, seems to have escaped rust issues and structural damage.

I feel I will never be able to get this car in pristine condition. But it will be enough to look at it without experiencing serious eyesoars and be able to drive it for periods at a time without breaking down *("ahem").

So far, I have done all repairs myself except putting the tires on the wire wheels and in the near future, have the generator refurbished if need be.

*Something else. Today I drove her and she broke down. Something with the fuel system I gather (it will restart up but soon stalls out), but I realize I "cheated" here by not revamping the entire system starting with the fuel tank all the way to the carbs (I do believe my problem here is with the fuel tank having a lot of crud and clogging the fuel pump, etc.). I installed a new gas filter at the carbs (as seen in above photo), and is filling up with black particle deposits. So I know my work is cut out this winter with making the fuel system right again, among other tasks planned.

Still, having fun with it all and yes, she does look nice!

Paul