Thanks guys. I figure it is sort of like a civilized 7 (heck the early ones also had windows that needed removed from the trunk and slid into place).
cs3tcr wrote:
Very cool! What size engine does it have?
TooBusy wrote:
Fun car. Does it have a 948 or 1098 in it? I think the bigger engine started around Oct 1962
It was a late 1962 build so it had disk brakes and the 1098 from the factory. The engine that is in it appears to have been rebuilt and never ran (no carbon on the pistons). I was told it was built by a Griffin or Griffith or something like that (never heard of them but that doesn't mean much). Allegedly the original owner was going to get back into racing around 1990 and never did so I'm guessing he built this engine around that time. It isn't the easiest to turn by hand so I have to wonder if there isn't a story to go with the engine being built and him never running it - the truth will come out eventually.
From what I can see without taking anything apart it appears to have stiffer valve springs and high compression pistons. A dyno sheet from 1978 says he was making around 80 hp with whatever set up he was running at that time (not sure how the current engine compares). Once I take it apart and give it a once over I'll have a better idea what I'm working with.
I was able to pick up a complete 948 engine/transmission/flywheel/clutch/carbs/intake manifold/exhaust manifold from Craigslist. I'm going to drop that in for the time being so it can become a functional car. If all else fails I'll either sell it or use it for a Lotus 7 replica.
cs3tcr wrote:
Any interesting suspension or chassis mods?
There is a custom panhard bar on the back. The mount is bolted through the trunk floor and backed with a couple of huge washers. The floor still looks straight so it must be strong enough!
Also when we pushed it out of the trailer and were making the 90 degree turn into the garage I discovered that it has a spool. Probably not a bad thing considering the narrow track.
I haven't made it to the front suspension yet so there may be more stuff up there. Otherwise it is definitely lowered.
TooBusy wrote:
SU's are easy. Not many moving parts. Infinitely tunable ( a good/bad thing depending on your perspective)
GonzoRacer wrote:
Nuthin' to 'em... What series SUs does it have? Or, if that question gets me a blank stare
send a picture of the carbs.
It appears to be a pair of 1.25" HS2's. I was able to download a few manuals from the web and I think I have a good grasp on how the carbs work.
Attachment:
IMG_1453.JPG
The only thing that is still sort of a mystery is the linkage that moves the jet as it has been removed and is MIA. Fortunately I got a bunch of spares with the car. Some are good, some are questionable, some are junk but there are several sets of SUs in various stages of disassembly. I know with two rebuild kits I could get two sets of good carbs from the pile.
john hennessy wrote:
those bodies were built by Healey, check the quarter eliptical rear spring mountings, they are prone to body corrosion in there as well as under the battery if its still in the stock location.
also check the play in the armstrong lever shocks, it would probably be a good idea to convert to telescopic shocks and an upper a arm conversion for the front.
The battery area is spotless (well aside from dirt and the white paint that was applied at some point that is now peeling). The spring area looks good but I'll know for sure when I remove them to install the spreader plates for the new cage. From first glance that area also looks good.
I'm assuming the shocks will need some attention just based on age. I know I can do telescoping shocks on the back but I don't think I can do much with the front suspension and still be legal.
Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F wrote:
Check out To Gear Season 13, episode 6.
Clarkson: "Power! Lets have him!"
I still think May should have bought the purple spit.
That was a good episode. I loved watching Richard find out that his car was a total pile of junk while the other two weren't half bad. You knew a joke about the car and Richard's co-driver was coming - it was like waiting for a piano to fall in a Bugs Bunny cartoon.