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Post-War Other suggestions for my Herald!!!

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triherald

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Ok guys, found out this weekend that my Herald (65,1200) needs a new clutch, new brakes hydrolics (cylinders), and probably a rebuild of the engine. So here is my thoughts, When I bought this I figured at somepoint (I was hoping later) to upgrade things (disc brakes up front, 6 cylinder engine, maybe overdrive). Should I do this? or go ahead and put the money into getting things straight first? Also, what 6's or other stronger 4's will be an easy fit? I was thinking GT6?
Thanks
Jack /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Personally, I think a nice 1300 Spitfire or 1500 Spitfire/Midget engine and trans would be the way to go. They are essentially the same block as your enigne and will bolt in with very little trouble.
My choice would be a 1300 twin carb.
A Spitfire overdrive trans would be nice too.
And the Spitfire brakes will fit easily (you should consider setting up a dual master cylinder system at the same time).
As for using the Triumph 6 engines, you would be building a sort-of "Vitesse", I guess. But the sixes hang out over the front, so handling would be worsened (and you'd have to reposition your grill, radiator and other items I think).
Just my two cents, but I wouldn't go with the six.
By the way, the GT-6, TR-250 and TR-6 engines are all the same size externally and all of them are really 6 cylinder versions of the Triumph "fours" (same bore spacing, thrust washers and so forth).
 
I'm pretty much with "aeroncast65t" and his suggestions. Fitting a six is a rather drastic change of character for the car that might make it (arguably) a better highway cruiser but will take away some of the nimbleness of the car as it is now (think Spitfire / GT6 corollary here).

With almost any engine upgrade (or swap), I feel that the front disc brake upgrade is a good idea. Nothing against the original front drums, which to me are just fine for 40- or 50-hp 1200 Heralds, but anything more than that pretty much begs for front discs and the corresponding master cylinder (with its larger reservoir being the KEY difference). Yes, a dual-circuit brake system is good, but I've yet to have an instant/catastrophic failure of a single-circuit brake system short of bursting a hose or steel line. Funny thing is, such an incident seems almost as bad on a dual-circuit system; remember that maintaining your "handbrake" is nearly as good a safety measure.

Although I'm mostly a purist, I do respect (and occasionally consider myself) "period" upgrades. In this case, a Spitfire 1147cc engine, or at least the camshaft, head, carb/manifold and distributor from one on your rebuilt short block, is a great (and essentially "correct") upgrade. The earlier 1296 is nice as well, but I always liked the 1147 just a wee bit better. Either way, an OD gearbox is a nice improvement for higher-speed cruising, too!

Getting back to the chassis, ensure all the bushings and such are sound, then toss in a set of Konis and maybe a camber compensator (or "proper" swing-spring kit, not just an old, discarded Spitfire swing spring), and enjoy!
 
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