Big Healeys

[a8hex]

I'm starting to get itchy feet and thinking about trying a Big Healey for a change. B8's always rather fancied one, and I'm fancying some open top motoring.

Does anyone have any good recommendations of places to start research?
Good books, specialist websites/forums anything I'm likely to need to know really.
Thought it would be a better plan if I did my research before going shopping this time rather than after buying

I'm thinking of something along these lines

[JNR77]

I can't really answer you question but the car in your photos looks like it could by dads old one; BTE910E ? Same colour, rare painted wires and single side lights.

[lowdrag]

Ken, be aware of the heat soak problem. It gets extremely hot in there on a nice day, so much so that it is uncomfortable. I hear that the later restored cars have a second false bulkhead with extra insulation but I guess that such cars are rarely to be found on the market and expensive. I'd have a chat with John Chatham cars or Murray Scott-Nelson just to mention two specialists. But for me there is only one place to start; Join the club and take member's advice. They'll point you in the right direction for your needs and you will usually find a better and cheaper car for sale through the club.

http://www.austinhealeyclub.com/index.html

Best of luck

[mph]

Try to drive one or two before you go much further.

They're definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

[dartissimus]

lowdrag said:

Ken, be aware of the heat soak problem. It gets extremely hot in there on a nice day, so much so that it is uncomfortable. I hear that the later restored cars have a second false bulkhead with extra insulation but I guess that such cars are rarely to be found on the market and expensive. I'd have a chat with John Chatham cars or Murray Scott-Nelson just to mention two specialists. But for me there is only one place to start; Join the club and take member's advice. They'll point you in the right direction for your needs and you will usually find a better and cheaper car for sale through the club.

The heat is a real problem, My mate Dave has two, both with the heater removed and the air intake pipe blow thro ducting straight at him. He's also fitted a side exhaust, which reduces the heat coming thro the passenger footwell. I've heard a tale of shoes melting to the floor.
Everything is available to modify and improve them and they do look the business.
I might be biased but my Dart has much more space inside, is certainly faster than a standard tune 3000, and much rarer, less temperamental and (still) slightly cheaper to buy.
(take cover)

[a8hex]

dartissimus said:

The heat is a real problem, My mate Dave has two, both with the heater removed and the air intake pipe blow thro ducting straight at him. He's also fitted a side exhaust, which reduces the heat coming thro the passenger footwell. I've heard a tale of shoes melting to the floor.
Everything is available to modify and improve them and they do look the business.
I might be biased but my Dart has much more space inside, is certainly faster than a standard tune 3000, and much rarer, less temperamental and (still) slightly cheaper to buy.
(take cover)

Thanks, everyone is biased I'll be coming from an XK150, with a tweaked 4.2 lump and S setup so I realise the Healey won't be as quick. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but I think the Healey looks better than the SP250, but I bet the Daimler's engine is nicer.

[a8hex]

lowdrag said:

Ken, be aware of the heat soak problem. It gets extremely hot in there on a nice day, so much so that it is uncomfortable. I hear that the later restored cars have a second false bulkhead with extra insulation but I guess that such cars are rarely to be found on the market and expensive. I'd have a chat with John Chatham cars or Murray Scott-Nelson just to mention two specialists. But for me there is only one place to start; Join the club and take member's advice. They'll point you in the right direction for your needs and you will usually find a better and cheaper car for sale through the club.

http://www.austinhealeyclub.com/index.html

Best of luck

Thanks Tony, I'll look at the website.

The car in the photos wasn't "BTE910E" it was a C reg one I looked at about 6 years ago, total ground up rebuild back then.


Yes I plan to look at a few before deciding whether to go down that route.

[healeyfan]

Never had a problem with heatsoak but then I never drive it with the roof up. They are also supposed to have heavy steering but that's usually because it's not set up properly or people have fitted modern low profile tyres and then complain about the exhaust being too low. Side exhausts are fine if you never carry a passenger.
They used to respond very well to two pints of real ale but nowadays you just have to drive it like you've stolen it!

[Yertis]

mph said:

Try to drive one or two before you go much further.

They're definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

Agreed. I thought the Healey 3000 made my GT6 feel quite modern and comfortable.

[a8hex]

Yertis said:

mph said:

Try to drive one or two before you go much further.

They're definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

Agreed. I thought the Healey 3000 made my GT6 feel quite modern and comfortable.

Oh good, one alternative was to look for something even older, pre-war perhaps. If I wanted something modern, I could think about an E-Type

[Yertis]

a8hex said:

Oh good, one alternative was to look for something even older, pre-war perhaps. If I wanted something modern, I could think about an E-Type

I felt pre-war, I thought. Even more pre-war than a TR.

[AJAX50]

You can easily solve the heat soak problems, check out the US site “British Car Forum”. Obviously heat is more of a problem there and there is plenty on the site about curing the problem. The cars do vary a lot, a good one should feel stiff with no real scuttle shake, the gear box should be almost modern (except for no synchro in 1st), the engine should not be tappet and rattle. I’d go for a Mk3 phase 2 BJ8 which has much better rear suspension and in most cases better front brake callipers. A few small mods on the suspension can massively improve the handling without spoiling the ride. Have any prospective purchase checked for rust worm by someone who knows them, it can cost a fortune to fix. Get a good on and you’ll love it.

[goodwoodweirdo]

Call John Chatham cars speak with John or Dan they have a lovely customers car for sale.... ohh and by the way they are super nice guys and what they dont know about Healeys isnt worth knowing...

[roscobbc]

Talk to big block Vette owners about 'heat soak'! - get stuck in heavy traffic on a summers day for any length of time and when you do get moving the heat coming out from under the dash/bulkhead is enough to make your eyes water. Liberal use of modern insulation material can minimise this problem.