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stuck in gravel

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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

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We went on a nice drive today to see the fall colors and got stuck in gravel while taking pictures. Wheels spun enough to dig a couple of deep holes (six inches deep). Had to get pulled out by a nice guy with a pick up and straps. My question is, why did I get two holes, one on each back wheel? Is there like posi-traction on these BJ8? I thought the drive wheel was on the right side. Please excuse my ignorance in this.
We had 4 groups of people who stopped to help. If I was in my SUV I'm sure no one would have stopped. Every one is always nice when we are out in the Healey.
 
There is no designated drive wheel as such. Under heavy load & with good traction, the engine torque reaction against it's mounts tends to lift the left side of the car & transfer weight to the right hand wheels. This is why sometimes only the left wheel spins.

Very few Healeys have limited slip axles. On a standard axle, the power goes to the wheel which has the least traction. If both wheels have nearly equal traction, as was likely in your case, they will both spin.

Glad you got unstuck without any problems.
D
 
Chaps
A usefull dodge in these circumstances,and one to remember if no one is around to help, is to remove the leads from the spark plugs, engage first or second gear and 'start' the engine. This activates the starter motor and the back wheels revolve slowly and the car will move. If you have dug a hole with the back wheels you will need to ramp the gravel a bit, it also helps to push at the same time if there are a couple of you. Not to be recomended for long haul journeys though, otherwise the starter may burn out. If you have an even older car with a starting handle, even better, you can crank it out on the starting handle without switching on.
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Bob
 
Tahoe Healey:

Glad you got unstuck - we spent a week in South Lake last month. Hiking the higher country (Mount Tallac) we noticed the aspen trees, "quakers" in other parts of the country, were turning...beautiful. We found that the best photo ops were sun-rise or sun-set conditions. My guess is that you got stuck sometime in the PM, so doubly glad you got extracted by helpful folks!

On my recent drive to Santa Barbara a number of very nice people stopped anywhere I happen to park just to chat and share their experiences. One older woman said she raced her AH 100-6 at the SCCA sponsored events at the airport circa 1960s. Since her Sunday racing wasn't enough, she would race her friends on the mountainous roads behind Santa Barbara and Ventura. With hairpin turns, no shoulder and steep unprotected drop-offs, these roads are a challage to drive at posted speeds, so only the skillful driver would think to do it fast! She instantly won my respect and I told he so!

It's always an event driving the Healey; you just never know where it might take you - the people we meet and the places we go. GONZO
 
We went over Monitor pass (over 8,000 ft). Tons of Aspen. At peek for the next week at least. There are at least 5 big Healeys up here on South Shore. There are a lot of other LBCs here. Sunday we saw a Morgan and of course the Triumphs that were meeting here. Any time you are up here let me know ahead and I'll show you some REAL driver country.
 
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