Hello to All. I brought this beauty home in January. 1956 Austin Healey 100 BN2 Chevy 350 (decked, torker intake, Holly carbs) Turbo 400 Hydramatic, narrowed Ford 9" (built by Strange Engineering), new electrical, Girling disks up front). I'm a newbie but have been relying heavily on a buddy who used to build hot rods professionally. I was set to buy a Porsche 914 project but then my buddy showed me the Healey and I was smitten. She was stored for 20 years but after a heavy service, started right-up. I'm waiting on two new rims from Dayton for the rears and I'll be putting some miles on to see how she does. I've started cosmetic items; mostly chasing rodent remnants. Lucky so far... no rust. Car was last painted in the early 1990's but was put away in yes a barn for a few decades under a car cover so it has some paint issues. From 20 feet away it looks great. The original engine appears to have been sold with a parts car in Denmark but I was able to confirm the Car Number with the cockpit trim, boot bracket and front valance. So according to the build sheet, she was originally Old English White and Black with a red interior and black roof. I look forward to the process of improving what is already a lovely beast and will try and keep it looking as stock as possible (except for the giant side pipes!). Here are some photos. First shot is as I purchased her as a dusty, non-runner. My Best, Janelle
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Gonna be sweet! There are smaller, lighter options than a Turbo 400, though. :)
Yes, it is a big boy. Between that and the position of the engine, very tight footwell. Oh and here's a riveting video of me backing into the garage.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/5WDSuSaHnb8
Until I get those new rims and tires I'm driving very slowly.
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Welcome to the Nasty Boys!
That sounds very healthy, Janelle. Looks like it's going to be a fun ride. Enjoy. That footbox is indeed tight. Mine is not that bad, and I've got a clutch pedal to deal with:
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/healeyrick/IMG_0133.jpg) (http://s81.photobucket.com/user/healeyrick/media/IMG_0133.jpg.html)
One bit of advice. The chrome spears on the front fenders are on backwards. The pointy end goes toward the front. Just flip them side to side. If they've been there awhile the nuts can seize up and snap off the studs when you try to remove, so shoot them with some PB Blaster and let them soak for a day before you try to remove.
Here's how they look properly installed.
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/healeyrick/IMG_0331_zpsf8c874f8.jpg) (http://s81.photobucket.com/user/healeyrick/media/IMG_0331_zpsf8c874f8.jpg.html)
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That's a hoot I didn't even notice the spears being backwards. I've been lucky; the barn she was in was climate controlled. I haven't encountered too many stuck screws. The worst one was on the passenger sill cover and that turned out to be a carpet issue. I swear I spent a day swearing and soaking that little monster; worrying about breaking it off as I nudged it with tools. When it eventually gave-up, there wasn't a bit of corrosion on the screw, just a tangle of carpet thread.
Your car looks great. What size wheels & tires. Mine are 72 spoke 185/70/R15 on Dunlop 15x5.5 (I think). I really wanted Dayton 15" wheels on the rear so fingers crossed they'll fit.
Thanks. I also tried to keep it fairly stock looking. Here's the build thread: http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,8264 I'm still running the stock rear end, although with 3.54 gears. Wheels are 15 x 5 Dayton 72 spokes, tires are 175 R 15 Michelins.
i installed an automatic transmission in my bj7. i moved the wilwood master cylinder to the clutch pedal location. i used a lokar throttle pedal which is very easy to adjust for pedal angle, height, etc. in the picture below the throttle pedal is not adjusted to its final position and the was not installed. i brake with my left foot so the distance between the throttle and brake pads is not a problem. works well for me in the bj7 cockpit which seems much more cramped than the earlier cars with side curtains. i will be using a similar setup on my bn6 but i will most likely mount the throttle pedal closer to the brake pedal to allow me more leg room or leg extension to more comfrotably actuate the throttle pedal.
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Nice car. I love it.