Author Archives: Michael
Austin Healey 100 Heater Valve Stem Repair.
The Smiths heater used in the Austin Healey 100 is controlled by a valve mounted on the engine cylinder head.There were 3 versions of this valve but all have an inherent weakness in that the stem is easily broken just … Continue reading
Austin Healey BJ7/8 Reproduction Water Pumps
Several BJ7/8 owners, after reading my blog post on BJ8 water pump rebuilds, have asked me to rebuild water pumps for them. One of the perquisites for my tackling this is that the owner provides me with an original water … Continue reading
BLEEDING AUSTIN HEALEY 4 WHEEL DRUM BRAKES
Adjusting the brakes and getting all the air out of the hydraulic brake system to produce a “hard” pedal can be particularly difficult when dealing with the all drum systems of 100 and 100/6 Austin Healeys. Here are tips that … Continue reading
IDENTIFYING BN1 GEARBOX GEARS
BN1 GEARBOX GEAR IDENTIFICATION There are essentially 2 types of gear sets for the BN1 gearbox because, in an attempt to improve durability of the gearbox, BMC changed the pressure and helix angles of both the input shaft gear and … Continue reading
New and Used British Sports Car Parts
Below are links to lists of new parts available for purchase: Healey 6 Cylinder Water Pump Kits Lucas HF 1748 Horn Rims (Reduced price) MG TD & TF Cluster Gears Odd Smiths Heater Valves I also have a large number … Continue reading
MG TD TF Cluster Gears $395.00 Exchange (Free N.A. Shipping)
In the early days of the last century one of the major considerations in British motor engineering design was to manufacture at MINIMUM COST and this principle was evident in almost everything that they produced. One area where this was … Continue reading
BN1 Gearbox Front Seal Replacement
BN1 gearboxes are somewhat renowned for their ability to leave pools of oil on the ground. One of the most annoying of these leaks occurs when the car is parked facing downhill. This particular leak is inherent in the design. … Continue reading
Tire Truing (A Home Solution)
After the concours inspections at Enclave 2015 in Gettysburg, PA I managed to catch the last few minutes of a tech session presented by Ken Beck of K & T Vintage Sports Cars of Allentown, PA on the dreaded “Scuttle … Continue reading
Lucas 17L Tar-Top Battery Solution
During the final weeks of the restoration of my early Austin Healey 100 it became apparent that acquisition of original style batteries was going to become a major problem. The only “acceptable” batteries for a concours car are original “Lucas” … Continue reading