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Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscreen

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ianh

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Hi all
I am getting dangerously close to getting my BN1 'dependable'.
Having fixed the cylinder head gasket (well from a water leaking perspective but still need to check compression ratios)the core plugs seem to be weeping pretty heavily.
Having read previous posting the screwable, Dorman or 'temporary rubber' seem a godd limited access solution. Does anyone know where you can get them in the UK ?

Also the windscreen keeps creeping up the post on the drivers side and becoming loose. Is there a good fix for this other than cranking up the large circular securing nut. I am getting nervous to do it any more since the passenger side sees to stay put with normal hand tension
Thanks as always for your greta insights
Ian
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Hi Ian,
I'm not exactly sure where to get the plugs in the UK. They are a MotorMite/Dorman part. You may do better digging around over there. I'm not sure which plugs you need.

You can go here & do a part search for 02604;
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php
Could order on line if desperate.

The BN2:
uses 5 - 1 5/8", 4 on RH side, 1 at rear. Actual 1 5/8".
MotorMite/Dorman # 02604 expanding rubber.

Uses 1 - 1 5/16" on rear of water gallery.
Dorman # 02601 expanding rubber. Actual 1 5/16".

Uses 1 - 1 1/8" on side of water gallery.
Dorman # 02610 expanding rubber. Actual 1 3/16".

The windscreen should be firmly clamped down "IF" the D head bolt is correctly seated in it's recess & the knurled nut is reasonably tight. It relies on the D head clamping firmly against the slotted arm in the center of the post. Something may be keeping the D head from fully entering the post & contacting the arm.
D
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Hello Ian,

I have never seen anything like the expandable plugs suggested for sale in the U.K..
You mention limited access, but it can be difficult to remove the old plugs without access. If you have room to remove them then replacing them with the correct steel plugs should also be feasible. Thes should be available from either engine rebuilders or from an Austin Healey specialist.

Dave, how effective are these plugs, or are they a pure stop gap?

Alec
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Hi Piman I am not sure either who in the UK handles these plugs. However they are of high quality and could be used as permanent fittings, Additionally, there are some that are made of brass and have stainless steel locking screws. Where limited access is available it is usually possible to prise the old plug out and install one of this type. I would check with David Manners and see if they carry them.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Alec,
These plugs have been around in the US for at least 30 years. I carry several various sizes in case one blows on the road. The last time that I actually used one was about 15 years ago. Roadside emergency. I fully intended to replace it but it was still holding well 6 years later. I would be really surprised if MotorMite/Dorman doesn't have dealers in the UK.

They also make an expanding copper plug that is very effective. It wouldn't work so well in the shallow plug recesses found in the early Healeys though. I have no doubt that the rubber plugs would last a very long time if you so wished.

you can see the details here:
www.dormanproducts.com
Part Category
Expansion Plugs
Copper
Rubber
D
Keoke, Sorry to be redundant, didn't know that you were posting at the time.
D
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Just to add to this. Some of the steel core plugs being supplied in the UK are very bad quality. Much thinner than originals, and their coating dubious. I saw a two year old plug spring a leak ( The one at the back of the block - wouldnt you guess)
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Hi Ian,
Just as a matter of interest what is the body number of your BN1?
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

HI guys
My BN1 is 152228 built on St. Valentines day 1954
I spent the whole day stripping off dynamos, distributors and coils to get some traditional core plugs in with some good sealant so fingers crossed that did the job.

Needless to say have I caused more harm than good and am in the middle of a major sense of humour failure. Please more helped needed on the following:

Of coursed I managed to mess up timing while removing the distributor. I have got her running agian but need to reset properly since she was majorly pinking on last run out. I can see no timing marks on the pulley (lower 1 I am assuming) only what looks like a chip out of the pully (1cm v). Any bright ideas ?

I pushed a new pulley onto the dynamo (I have only used once and was it was fine last time out) and now it has stopped charging ! get negligible voltage between field to earth or or terminal to earth

The coil seems mighty warm (too hot to hold) Is this normal ?

aaaaarrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Well Ianh, that chip[1cm v] you saw out of the vibration damper just happens to be the timing mark!--Fwiw---Keoke
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

That 1 cm V, might align with an embossed arrow pointer on the cam gear cover. If the car is a late enough production run. BN2's had the same. You can bring #1 cylinder to TDC, as determined by a short feeler stick in the spark plug hole, & see if the "notch" lines up with anything. If it doesn't, paint a small mark adjacent to the notch on the nearby cover.

See if you can find some help on the dynamo here.
https://www.sdepartment.it/documenti/haynes-08.pdf

The coil will get pretty warm if you leave the ignition switch on with the engine not running.
D
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Thanks guys very much for the rapid and insightful feedback.
That is a pretty industrial sized timing mark, I will see if it lines up with the stars and the moon tomorrow.
Dave, I have one of your old postings re 1.9 inches of circumfrence for 38 degrees tiing for static + centrifugal advance. Don't have timing light to hand so will check static timing for now and see if pinking is releaved. There is clearly a problem because she is down on power and running warm (when she decides to run that is !!. I guess there is no problem if she is a bit too retarded (like her owner some would say !!), at least that may keep pinking at bay.
I'll chill out re coil and read your stuff on dynamos, thanks for that.
By the way a little bit more gentle persuasion did the trick on the windscreen pillar and it seems to be staying put now.
It really is great to have you peeps to keep me sane and get me back on track, thanks again
Ian
 
Re: Sourcing Core plugs in UK & securing windscre

Thanks Ian, mines body 860 built nov 30 1953, and if i look at 100 register only 30 out of the first thousand have come in to date, does this mean the other 950+ have gone to the final resting place!
 
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