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Where are all the BJ8s??

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crya

crya

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Hi Forum,

First, a quick note about me as I'm new to the group. Back in the early 80s my father bought a '67 BJ8 from some family friends. It was white with red leather. I loved that car. I was only a small boy of seven years at the time it was sold but I did love that car and remember thinking that I would someday get to drive it once I had a license. Then, out of nowhere, my father decided to sell the car to a business contact overseas for $8,000. I cried when he came home without it, seriously.
I've spent the past 20 years loving these cars and reminding him what a mistake it was to sell it. I always promised myself I would one day buy one and restore it to "nice driver" condition. My dream came true last week when I purchased a '64. It needs work but I can't wait to learn as much as possible about brining this car back so all systems work correctly.

Having said all that, are their any BJ8 owners in my area that get together? I'm in Napa, CA. I haven't yet joined the club but will shortly.
 
Hi Crya,
Although I can not answer your question about BJ8 owners in your area, I am sure you will find some. There are several here on the forum. I have a 64 BJ8, phase 1. The forum has proved most valuable in my rolling restoration (actually just some mechanical work and a new paint job). Anyway as you work your way through things like brakes, suspension, wheel bearings, OD issues, oil pressure, whatever, feel free to post any questions here. There are lots of amateur Healey mechanics, like myself who may be able to help. Then there are some real EXPERTS who know these cars like the back of their hand. They will jump in with the answers to any questions (and the corrections if some of us mislead you). Please ask if you need help. That really is what this forum is all about.
 
My first question is about my steering wheel. Should it really feel so loose?It's got significant play side to side and up and down. It's got that interesting contraption that compresses when you push the wheel towards the dash. What's that all about?
 
First, go here, & get their A-H parts catalogs. While you are at it, order a shop manual.
https://www.mossmotors.com/
https://www.britishcarspecialists.com/
Moss web site has very good illustrated parts diagrams.

Next go here & join the local A-H club which is close by.
https://www.goldengatehealeys.com/

You will have very good technical & parts information, & help on your project.

To answer your specific question, no, it should not be loose. yes - there are adjustments & or repairs to solve the problem. The shop manual will cover steering adjustments & much much more. The above resources plus this forum should help you handle any project that comes up, but it's better to study the available information first so that you will better understand the answers.
Regards,
D
 
I have both the Austin Healey Workshop Manual from BMC and the Haynes Owners Workshop Manual. Haynes publishes workshop manuals for most cars. I prefer the Haynes but recommend getting both. They are very similar. Ebay under Vintage Car Parts/Austin Healey generally has both, but they can be purchased from a variety of sources. Moss Motors parts catalog will be a great source of info as Dave Russell pointed out. They will also have most parts. Either manual will give you a step by step procedure for tightening up the steering.
 
Hi Crya, if the steering wheel is flopping around at the top. There is a felt bushing inside under the small plastic cover located at the top of the steering collum. First thing to do is put a small amount of engine oil in there hoping the felt bush is still good and will swell backup around the steering tube inside. Failing this the old bush will require removal and a new one installed.---Fwiw---Keoke


P.S. That "Contraption" you mentioned is the locking mechanism for the adjustable steering wheel. It allows you to set the wheel at any desired point away from the dash and then lock it at that position. A Chrome plated spring "That Compresses" hides the splines when the wheel is in an extended position.
 
Congratulations cyra! Although I live in Hong Kong and my BJ8 is here, luck would have it my '53 BN1 is in Vallejo, CA, at my Dad's house - the next town down (literally and figuratively!) from Napa.

Anyway, I am back in CA quite often and usually tool up to Napa in my BN1 when I need to fill up on Duckhorn and Trefethen wine to take back to HK.

I can definitely point you in the right direction for parts in the general area.

Cheers!
 
crya, congrats ya gunna have a ball,to answer the question " where are all the bj8"s" - in keokes garage! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Hi healeynut, it just so happens I live close to Trefethen and Duckhorn is one of my favorites, partly because we sell our fruit to them. What I really need now is that I know there are some folks in my area is to find out where the competent Healey mechanic is. Any ideas?
 
Hi Crya,
Welcome to the forum. I can highly recommend British Car Specialists for parts. I have never had any work done there personally (a little far for me to drive), maybe someone else can help with that.
Their information:
2060 N Wilson Way
Stockton, CA 95205
209-948-8767
https://www.britishcarspecialists.com
 
Hello Crya,
Congrads on owning your first Healey. My story is the same as yours! My Dad owned a 64 BJ8 when I was a kid and sold it. Told myself, one day I too will own the same car. I bought my 64 three years ago.

Where are all the BJ8's?

If you join the Austin Healey Club USA, you will receive a Resourse Book. It will list all the Healey members, what they own and where they live. Most will include address and telephone numbers.

You'll find me in the book. I live in San Leandro, CA.

Best of luck with your car, and welcome to the BCF.
Cheers, Roger
 
Two of my favorite wineries. I live in Tahoe (South Shore) and have a 64 phase 1 also. We are down in your area alot cause of the roads. Great Healey winding roads. As Roger said, join the clubs. I am a member of the Golden Gate Healey Club out of the bay area. We have rides everywhere in Northern California including Napa. Check out the web sight for events in the area. There is a United British car club in Sacromento the puts on the neet stuff (Dixon is the best with 250 assorted LBCs). There are two national clubs and most of us are in both cause the both have grreat magazines,with tech support and activities. Both are well worth the price.
The interesting thing you asked was about the where-abouts of the BJ8's. There are more of us than any of the others Healeys at all the shows (Tahoe, Dixon, Palo Alto and San Juan Batista etc). (And Roger always wins)
 
Great, I'll be sure to join the clubs. I think my 64 is a phase 2. My plan is to do a rolling restoration over the next few years. My first project was to tighten my steering wheel but I couldn't even figure out how to remove the trafficator. I work from pictures but the Werner sight and my manual only provide a written description of how to do it. Can anyone tell me how to tighten my steering wheel?
Thanks.
 
Hi Crya,
I live in Santa Rosa near Windsor with my wife and BJ8. There is a British car club that meets twice a month for spirited drives through the country side. The club is called NOBBC(North Bay British Car Club). It is a very informal club with alot of nice people. I sent you an IM with my number. Call me.

Happy Healeying,
Walter
 
If the movement is slack in turning of the wheel while the car is not in motion, there is an adjustment screw on the stering box (near the grill) that moves a pin down onto the worm drive. Point the wheels straight and loosen the nut and give the screw a slight turn and re-tighten the nut. Test the wheel. Do again if not happy. Over tightening may inhibit turning and increase wear. You should also check the rubber bushing first (I think there are 8 of them)Good luck cause I think the nut mentioned is wintworth and the angle is hard to reach from above.
 
In addition to TH's good advice,

Sometimes the steering shaft (worm) develops excessive end play which causes lost motion in the steering.

There are shims in the steering box end cover which can be adjusted to remove shaft end play. All covered in the shop manual.
D
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif

TH, where are the 8 rubber bushings you are talking about?--Keoke
 
Hello Crya,
Welcome to the Forum. I too own a BJ8 ('66). I live in the Oakland Hills, an easy 45 minute drive from you. There are lots of opportunities to get together with other big Healey owners throughout the driving season (essentially 12 months long). Look me up in the GGAHC Resource book if you're in the area. Always good to have another BJ8 owner to call.
Randy
 
Front suspension. It seemed to tighten up the accuracy of the steering when replaced and they go bad in a few years. I was not sure if he ment it was the wheel when the car was moving or stationary.
 
OH OK TH, I guess you are refering to the sway bar bushes.---Keoke
 
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