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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

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We took the BJ8 on a 500 miler to Yosemite Sunday and Monday. Everything was great on the way there but on the way back to Tahoe as we climbed some of the many long, steep up-grades the gear box became difficult to shift between third and forth. I had to force it is some cases. Once in forth it ran very well. This has happened before but MT-90 seemed to imporve it for a while. It has always had a scream in third gear under load when hot and thats when it gets hard to shift to forth where the scream stops. Am I looking at a rebuild? If so, I'd wait until fall cause I've waited so long to drive due to snow. Who will do a decent job on this if the N-Cal area? I can take it out and deliver it as I would not want to ship it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Thanks.
 
Probably hard to find anyone more knowledgeable than Norm Nock at British Car Specialists in Stockton California.
 
"Am I looking at a rebuild"?-No TH ,you are looking at one that is overdue for a rebuild, gonna be piceeeey if Knock does it. Thought about a five speed conversion.? Nice seeing you at PV--Keoke
 
Smitty conversion. Rebuild will be well beyond 1000 if not double that or more. I think we purchased our cars from the same person. My gearbox was improperly rebuilt when I bought it. The seller says he always uses the same rebuilder. Mine began failing in 3rd and 4th (hard to change). Rubber buffers were missing, etc etc. See my website for details. www.bighly.com
 
Big Healey,/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gifIt ain;t gonna be more en a dime under $3000.00 if done and done right.---Keoke
 
[ QUOTE ]
Big Healey,/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gifIt ain;t gonna be more en a dime under $3000.00 if done and done right.---Keoke

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif
 
TH:

If the OD is functional it should not be factored into the "rebuild". That said you should budget for $2K and cheaper if you do the trans portion yourself. This is best done during your hybernating months! Please note that there are excellent 3/4th gear syncros available (don't get caught unaware like I did and become an expert at removing the trans.) If the work is outsourced, then explore alternatives. GONZO
 
Keoke, I think you must have met Don with the gold Healey in Palos Verdes who is also form South Shore Lake Tahoe. The only PV I go to (yearly) is in Mexico. Don is a neat guy. We have gone on a few runs together. He winters in So Cal while I shovel snow.
Gonzo, are you going to Dixon? We'll talk. I may want to do this myself. Last time I did this was on my XK140 probably 20 years ago and it wasn't fun.
Bighly, how was the Alpine 500? Are you going to Dixon? Yes, we did buy form the same guy but I think mine was worked on by someone else in the Boise area. I've rebuilt everything else since, so why not the trany.
The problem seems to be that the trans gets too hot. I'm not sure why. It runs and shifts great with normal running temps on level or short hills. But home is 60 miles of up hill as was the trip out of Yosmite valley. But boy, did I ever get coments form every one on the Healey.
 
Yep TH!,I wondered how you got off that iceberg /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifand to PV and he mentioned he was temporarily billeted here.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

Bighly, how was the Alpine 500? Are you going to Dixon?


[/ QUOTE ]
The Alpine 500 was a blast. The great thing about this rally is the wide range of different cars and interesting people participating. Friday night I found myself at Swabbies Pub drinking Alpine beer and looking over cars. Saturday morning we set of from Sacramento downtown and chased through the back raods 260 miles to the CalNeva casino resort. Known as the Lady of the Lake this is where Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monrow had their trists. Frank had secret tunnels built between their private guest cabins and the Casino. Apparently Marylin tried to kill herself two weeks before she actually succeeded doing so in Hollywood. Sunday we ran another 240 miles through the woods (water crossings) snow, some dirt roads, twisties etc and ended up at Fitzpatricks Winery above Placerville in gold counrty. I did not have any problems with the car or the new Smitty installation. The BJ8 clutch and diaphram pressure plate felt much beefier than the old spring style. There was one moment of truth when the old Mercedes converted to run on frier grees lost its "fuel" and caused many to spin, slide, skid, panic and in general denounce fried food forever. On a steep downhill lefty I found myself going straight instead of turning. I was able to stop the car before (just) hitting the trees. On the next pullover everyone was cleaning out their pants and cussing the "greaser" car. I swear it smelled like french fries.
I will post some photos soon. For now here is a pic of the "BugEyed" ladies. You know what kind of eyes shes got.
 

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Yes I will be at Dixon. BTW there is a tranny on eBay in SanJose for pickup only. If you want to buy it I can pick it up for you. You could rebuild it and then swap before the Nelson run.
 
I've been looking at at manuels and diagrams of the gear box and I want imput as to the problem being the needle bearings. I cannot figure why the gears get hot enough to jam and scream (third only) under load (hill climb). You are right about the $$$$$, only more. And then I should do the engine rear seal, clutch, etc. I'm looking at $5000ish at BCS and 6 weeks when they have time. (and probably a devorce).
I can get a rebuilt one for $2500 plus shipping and returning of the core.
I've also been told not all the gears are available if they need replacing and may have to be "re-manufactured".
Any opinions on my delema?
 
Hi TH, Thats why I suggested looking into the five speed conversion. However, if you have confidence in the builder of the rebuilt unit and want to maintain originality I would use that approach.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
maybe someone in your club with gearbox experience can help diagnose the problem once you have it out. Might just need a few new parts. If not, you can always button it up and send it in for exchange. Just a thought ...

Cheers,
John
 
I have a BJ8 transmission that is out of the car and will be sitting for the next year at least. You can borrow it if you want while you get yours fixed. Unfortunatly, I bought this car in pieces so I can't vouch for the transmission. I live in Loomis, CA just down the hill.

Also, May 4, last pre-registration day for Dixon!!!\

www.ubscc.org to register.

Jerry
 
Jerry, thanks for the generous offer but I only want to do this once. Are you going to Dixon? Mine will be the white BJ8 with the bra and badges. Look me up. If you don't see it, I didn't make it down the hill. I love the Dixon show.
 
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