[Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure

Sat Feb 10 11:10:41 MST 2024

[image: 8fdnws.jpg]

On Sat, Feb 10, 2024 at 12:16 PM Jean Caron <
vintage_roadster_restoration at hotmail.com> wrote:

> My feelings exactly.
>
> Jean
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of
> josef-eckert--- via Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Sent:* February 10, 2024 2:09 PM
> *To:* Chris Scholz <drscholz at visioncenterpc.com>; HealeyRick <
> healeyrik at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* healeys at autox.team.net <healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure
>
>
> I wouldn´t buy a Mercedes with a BMW engine and gearbox and a Volvo
> radiator.
>
>
>
> Josef Eckert
>
> Königswinter/Germany
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original-Nachricht-----
>
> Betreff: Re: [Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure
>
> Datum: 2024-02-10T15:01:23+0100
>
> Von: "Chris Scholz via Healeys" <healeys at autox.team.net>
>
> An: "HealeyRick" <healeyrik at gmail.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I love my LS1 swap.  It was a lot of work.  Aluminum dual passage Wizard
> radiator with 15” spal fan-I can drive in a parade at 110 heat index and
> car stays right at 195 degrees.  Lots of work to get the alternator to
> fit-I modified a bracket from a Jeep wrangler LS swap kit.   Everything
> barely fit longitudinally-there is one inch between the electric radiator
> fan and my water pump.   Had to cut the steering shaft and u joint.  Works
> great.
> Like Rick, I have the stock 3.55 Healey rear with a quaife limited slip
> diff and it works perfectly.  72” Daytona wire wheels with 205 wide tires.
>   Lowered the front spring perches -my front was so much lighter it was up
> in the air by 2-3”.  It rides and handles so well.  My car was a 1959 100-6
> so it wasn’t worth as much stock as a BJ8.  I feel my value went up.
> I love my reliability and the torque is amazing.  Car is so much fun to
> slowly cruise and then hit the gas and go.  I would never go back to the
> heavy iron block.  I feel this an aluminum V8 would have been Healey’s
> first choice if GM would have worked with him.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> Chris Scholz OD
>
> On Feb 9, 2024, at 7:58 PM, HealeyRick <healeyrik at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> A V8 swap is nothing to be undertaken lightly. It's not as simple as
> "dropping in a V8". That's the easy part, mostly focusing on making engine
> and transmission mounts and cutting away pieces of the footwells so the
> motor will fit with the exhaust headers in place.  It's all the other stuff
> you need to do that will really add the work. New electrical system,
> radiator, upgraded brakes, fuel system, transmission shifter, etc, etc.
> It's worth it in the end if you want a Healey/Cobra, but you'll also knock
> off about 30 percent of your car's value or more.  You can see the work I
> had to do to put a Ford 5.0L and 5 speed transmission into my BJ7 here:
> http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,8264  The Ford 5.0 is narrower
> than the Chevy LS so less body cutting to do, but not a huge difference. LS
> motors are more likely to be found in a junkyard with low mileage now and
> with your brother a GM mechanic, would be very helpful.  I did about 50-75%
> of the swap myself, except for the engine rebuild and body fabrication. My
> car has 350 hp and I run the stock rear end with 3.55 gears and Dayton 72
> spoke wires.  Much more power than that and those parts will start
> braking.  A good engine swap is really a joy, but if you do a bad one it
> will be a nightmare forever. Chris did a really nice swap with his LS but
> he can speak to how much work it was.
>
> My first choice if you don't have that "Need for Speed" would be to try a
> replacement Healey 6.
>
> Best of Luck,
> Rick
>
> On Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 2:11 PM <rfbegani at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Funny you should suggest a v8 replacement.  Chris just made that
> suggestion to install an LS1 with GM Trans.  My Bother is a retired GM
> mechanic, and he agrees.  Did you do the exchange?  What engine trans etc.
> did you use?  All options are on the table.
>
>
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> *From:* HealeyRick <healeyrik at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Friday, February 9, 2024 1:32 PM
> *To:* rfbegani at gmail.com
> *Cc:* healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure
>
>
>
> Sorry to hear this Bob. What you've been told so far seems correct.
> Without the main bearing caps you're in a tough spot.  Maybe trying to find
> a BJ8 block or a rebuildable BJ8 motor is the best of a bad group of
> choices.  Too bad, I gave away a bare block with caps from a BJ7 a few
> years ago for a donation to our club charity.  I'd put a wanted ad in the
> club magazines and Healey forums, Facebook pages and hope someone out there
> might have one. Try Hemphills, Healey Surgeons, David Nock, maybe they have
> one that needs rebuilding somewhere. Or do what I did and put a V8 in there!
>
>
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Rick Neville aka "HealeyRick"
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 11:12 AM <rfbegani at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Gentlemen:
>
>
>
> I arrived back to Florida in May and decide to drive my 67 Austin-Healey.
> Drove it a mile and heard clanking engine, looked at the oil pressure, It
> was O! Instead of stooping to have towed home, I drove it back slowly.
> Last month, I dropped the pan and started to remove the rod and crank caps
> and bearings.  My mechanic friend said you got lucky the crank may only
> need polishing and new bearings.  So, I packed and marked each of the main
> bearing caps, bolts, and bearings along with piston rods and caps in
> individual plastic bags. Then packed them into a larger plastic bag which
> was put under the workbench near the garbage.  We towed the car to Mikes
> garage so he could pull and disassemble the engine.  Tuesday, he asked me
> to bring the parts I had removed from the engine so he would have
> everything in one place.  I looked around but could not find this black
> plastic bag and then remembered it got pitched in the garbage. So, I am now
> up the famous creek and am asking this group what I can do?
>
>
>
>    1. I am told the engine is finished because the Main Bearing caps are
>    not available and even if you could find them, they would need to be line
>    bored on the engine.
>    2. I am told that finding an engine block for a 3000 with original
>    main bearing caps is almost impossible.
>    3. Finding an engine to be rebuild might be possible.
>
>
>
> My engine was rebuilt 6000 miles with years ago everything new, so I would
> like to find a way of fixing the existing engine, if possible.
>
>
>
> Please give me your advice.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Bob Begani
>
> 67 Austin-Healey BJ8
>
>
>
>
>
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