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†6 volt 17L “tar-top†batteries. I had acquired a pair of originals with a view… Continue reading Lucas 17L Tar-Top Battery Solution
Smiths and Jaegar Fuel Gauge Solution
After having all the original Smith’s instruments in my latest Austin Healey restoration entirely rebuilt I was rather disappointed to discover that the fuel gauge reading was so erratic that it was difficult to know just how much fuel I had unless I stopped the car and waited for the fuel in the tank to… Continue reading Smiths and Jaegar Fuel Gauge Solution
Low Mileage Austin Healey 100. A Rare Opportunity to Look Back.
Recently Bob Yule of Autofarm Ltd was kind enough to allow me to take a close look at a very early 1954 Austin Healey 100, with only 5300 miles on it from new, that he had in his shop for service. One does not often get the chance to examine such an original car close… Continue reading Low Mileage Austin Healey 100. A Rare Opportunity to Look Back.
BN1 Gearbox. A Plethora of Threads
Back in the days when I was a really poor British sports car mechanic I managed to pick up a Suzuki LJ80V all-wheel drive van with a badly slipping clutch to use for winter transportation. It was a horrible little thing but great in the snow and all I could afford at the time. Before… Continue reading BN1 Gearbox. A Plethora of Threads
Laycock-de Normanville Overdrive Installation Tool
Many years ago I made up a little tool which has proved invaluable when attaching an “A†type Laycock-De Normanville overdrive unit to a gearbox. For those not familiar with this operation a little explanation will help. If you have “been there, done that†skip this part down to the picture with the tape measure… Continue reading Laycock-de Normanville Overdrive Installation Tool
LUCAS ALTO HF1748 Horn Rims
At last after months of back and forth with various die makers and die casters I have received a shipment of horn rims for the Lucas HF1748 horns. These 12 volt horns were used on Austin Healey 100-4 (BN1 and BN2), 100M, 100-6 (BN4, BN6), and 3000 Mark I (BT7, BN7), Jaguar XK 140, XK150, Mark… Continue reading LUCAS ALTO HF1748 Horn Rims
Early Austin Healey 100 Steering Wheel Detail.
When I was a little nipper back in Dunedin, New Zealand our family car, the first I remember anyway, was a 1948 Austin 16. I have 4 siblings so journeys in the Austin with 3 in the front and 4 in the back were cozy affairs. There was always a race for which of the… Continue reading Early Austin Healey 100 Steering Wheel Detail.
What is an Oakenstrong Washer?
I received a copy of an SU information bulletin from Earl Kagna during my research into whether or not identification tags were fitted to Austin Healey 100 carburettors. Our local SU guru Blain Hughes was good enough to send me pictures of what he had in the way of ID tags from SUs with the… Continue reading What is an Oakenstrong Washer?
Wear Resistant Suspension Materials
Wear of suspension bushes has been a problem that has plagued vehicle manufacturers since the days of horse drawn coaches. To combat this wear modern automobiles use complex and expensive ‘ball joints” which, as long as the protective rubber boot covering them remains intact, last almost for ever. However, as anyone who owns a utility… Continue reading Wear Resistant Suspension Materials
AN INTERESTING THING ABOUT CLUTCHES
One of the cars that I own is a 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4. I purchased this car many years back and use it quite a bit in the summer months. It is absolutely stock and a real pleasure to drive however, a couple of years back, the clutch started to give some trouble. If… Continue reading AN INTERESTING THING ABOUT CLUTCHES