[Healeys] Overheating

Tue Mar 9 04:09:14 MST 2021

Hi Darryl,

Here in Vienna in Austria the highest temperatures in summer stay between 35 and 38 deg. C, but may go down to minus 15 deg C in winter. Therefore the temperature range is even higher. But I have to admit, that my BN1 stays in the garage from the day of the first ice or snow every year until sand and salt are gone in spring. But the lowest temperatures at which I have driven the Healey were around 0 deg. C.

Of course regarding overheating your higher temperatures are the bigger problem. Here the combination of summer temperatures and driving up into the mountains might be a similar challenge for every car.

Nevertheless I only had overheating issues due to problems with settings on the carbs or the distributor or in the time before I had to rebuild the motor (bearing at crankshaft and the rockers were the main reason). During the work on the engine I had a high efficiency net installed in the radiator and run our usual antifreeze. Everything else is standard.

Your solution with the metal plate sounds very interesting. Do you have pictures? What kind of metal did you use and how thin is it?

Regards

Reinhart

Reinhart Rosner

55 AH 100 BN 1

Vienna – Austria

Von: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] Im Auftrag von Deejay2650 via Healeys
Gesendet: Dienstag, 09. März 2021 05:00
An: healeys at autox.team.net
Betreff: Re: [Healeys] Overheating

G'day to All,

I live in the Riverina district of New South Wales where temperatures go from minus 3 degrees C (24 degrees F) in winter to 42 degrees C (104 degrees F) in summer which, I think you will agree, is a large variance. 

My '67 BJ8 is running the original radiator,  Texas cooler fan, sleeved thermostat, original water pump, Lucas D25 distributor and standard coil. The engine is standard although 30 thou oversize. I run a 7lb psi radiator cap.

I run de-mineralised water and Penrite Classic coolant (which contains no anti-freeze) but has the ability to coat all cooling surfaces and make (I know this sounds silly) the water wetter and a electric fan in front of the radiator.Which, I may add, I have used very rarely over 6 years of ownership.

My temps usually run from160 F to 190 F all year round with of course an increase to 210-212C on heat soak.

The one thing that I have fitted, (which is definitely not original) is a thin metal plate, a great idea made by a Healey mate of mine, that fits from the bottom edge of the lower front beaver tail to the front of the main cross-member with tech screws attaching it. It covers the entire bottom surface underneath of the radiator and part of the sump.

The idea being is the fan draws cool air through the radiator, heats it and then pushes the heated air down which can lead to the radiator re-breathing the hot air again. The idea apparently is not new, DHMC apparently used it on some of the Sebring cars.

I can tell you that it definitely works and allows your Healey to keep its cool!

Happy Healeying,

Darryl

'67 HBJ8L41258

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