This month on planet Healey I have entered the mock-up phase. With the shell in primer and awaiting shrouds to complete final door gapping, I used the rotisserie to turn the shell the right side up before dropping it onto a set of tall axle stands.
I have an old Austin Westminster block that I used to mock up the engine installation without tying up the original block. The Healey’s engine can still be built up when time allows but I need to get round to pressure testing it before proceeding.
First job to do was to fit Healey engine mounts as the Austin Westminster block has different chassis leg spacing. The mounts just swapped over and then it was just a case of using an engine crane to drop it into place. With the engine located in the chassis, I could now put the cylinder head on. I couldn’t use the Westminster head, as this has a different port pattern. Instead, I placed the Healey’s head on some cardboard secured with masking paper to keep the gasket face clean and free from damage. The head was then laid onto the Westminster’s block but it’s a very heavy unit to manoeuvre and I had to be careful not to damage anything when lowering it into place.
This story is from the March 2018 edition of Classics Monthly.
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This story is from the March 2018 edition of Classics Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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