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Re: Healey by any other name

To: british-cars%encore.com@munnari.OZ.AU
Subject: Re: Healey by any other name
From: s883351@minyos.xx.rmit.OZ.AU (John Taylor [The Banshee])
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 91 10:48:37 +1100
According to "Your Healey log book" is "Healey - The handsome brute" by ?, the
Big Healey models are:

>BN1 - Original 100/4 4-speed tran w/low blocked off. ~90hp. 2 H4 carbs.

10688 built (1/1953 to 6/1955) Chassis # 133134 to 228046
Four cylinder, 2660cc. Max power 90 bhp (4000 rpm).  Max torque 150 lb.ft  
(2000 rpm), 7.5:1 compr., twin H4 SU's, 3 fwd & 1 rev gearbox 

>BN2 - Improved 100/4 Stronger rear-end, different gear ratios to make low
>      gear useful.  Engine tuned for more power (~98hp?)

3924 built (8/1955 to 8/1965)  Chassis # 228047 to 233455, includes 100M
Engine as per BN1, 4 fwd 1 rev gearbox

>There was also a 100/4M (for Le Mans).  This was a further tuning of the
>100/4.  It included engine and suspension parts and a cold air box.  If I
>remember correctly, it could be ordered as a performance option from the
>factory, installed by the factory, when you ordered your car.  You could also
>order the kit and install it yourself.  This leads to some confusion as to
>which cars are "true" 100/4Ms.

1159 produced (1955 and 1956) plus conversions marketed 1953 to 1956.  No
separate chassis no.s.
Engine as per BN1/2 except 8.1:1 compr., twin H6 SU's, special inlet mani.,
special distributor., Steel-faced head gasket., Max power 110 bhp (4500 rpm),
Max torque 144 lb.ft (2000 rpm), single SU fuel pump.  Optional louvred bonnet
and strap.

>The 100/S (Sebring) used a different numbering system.  I think it began with
>"AHS" but I'm not sure.  This is probably the most desirable Healey ever made.
>It used a cross-flow head on a mostly standard 100/4 block to generate ~130hp.
>It also had a heavy-duty suspension and other racing mods.

55 built :-( (1/1954 to 7/1955) includes 5 prototypes.  Chassis # for last 50:
3501-3910
Engine as per other 100 models, except Max. power 132 bhp (4700 rpm), Max torq
168 lb.ft (2500 rpm), 8.3:1 Compr., twin H6 SU's, twin SU fuel pumps. Different
grill shape (oval, but no "scoop").  Racing Wires & tyres

>BN3 - Experimental car new 6-cylinder 2.6L engine in BN2 frame. Not produced

No data, but I think the engine was made by welding two sections of the 4
cylinder engines together!  (May have been a different car altogether though)

>BN4 - Original 100/6 new 6-cylinder engine in "stretched frame".  2+2 seating.
>      4-Port head.  I think that later models recieved the 6-Port head.

10285 built (8/1956 to about 11/1957)  Chassis # 50759 to 77766.
Six cylinder, 2639cc, Max. Power 102 bhp (4600 rpm), Max torque 142 lb.ft (2400
rpm), 8.25:1 compr, twin H4 SU's, single SU pump.

>BN5 - Experimental car.  Low-cost entry model with reduced performance based
>      on 100/6.  Not produced.

No data.

>BN6 - 2 Seat version of BN4 with 6-Port head.  2 HD6 carbs.

4150 built (about 11/1957 to 6/1959)  Chassis # 501 to 4650
Engine as per BN4, but Max power 117 bhp (5000 rpm), Max torque 150 lb.ft (3000
rpm), 8.7:1 compr., twin HD6 SU's.

>100/6s with 4-Port heads developed ~102hp.  Those with 6-Port heads, ~111hp.
>Product standardization also forced a new tranny and rear-end.

No mention of the different heads.

>BT7 - Original 3000.  6-cylinder bored out to 2.9L. 2+2 seating.
>BN7 - 2 Seat version of BN7
>MkI. 3000s had 124 hp. 2 HD6s.

2825 BN7s built (7/1959 to 4/1961), 10825 BT7s built in same period.  Chassis #
101 to 13750
Engine 6 cylinders, 2912cc, Max power 124 bhp (4600 bhp), Max torque 175 lb.ft
(3000 rpm) Highest torque of all Big Healeys.  9.03:1 compr., twin HD6 SU's,
single SU pump.

>In '61 or '62 the MkI. became the MkII.  Hp went from 124 to 132. Carbs went
>from 2 HD6s to 3 HS4s.  Tranny went from side-shift to center-shift. 
>Available in both 2 and 2+2 seating.

MkII - 355 BN7s (4/1961 to 3/1962), 5095 BT7s same period.  Chassis # 13751 to
19853
Engine as per MkI, but Max Power 131 bhp (4750 rpm), Max torque 165 lb.ft 
(3000 rpm), triple HS4 SU's (wow!).

>BJ7 - New version of the 3000 MkII.  New center console, roll-up windows,
>      new convertible hood.  2+2 Seating.  Change to 2 HS6 carbs. 130hp.
>      Simulated wood dash.

6113 built (4/1962 to 2/1964) Chassis # 17551 to 25314
Engine as per BN7/BT7 except Max Power 129 bhp (4750 rpm), twin HS6 SU's,
60 spoke wires after #24367 (others are 48 spoke?)

>BJ8 - 3000 MkIII.  More horses, 148hp. 2 HD8 carbs.  Late in production, the
>      frame was modified to give more ground clearance.
--
Two "phases" of MkIII, last with modified rear suspension.  Phase 1, 390 built
(2/1964 to 3/1964)  Chassis # 25315 to 25705.  Phase 2, 16322 built (3/1964 to
3/1968)  Chassis # 25706 to 43026
Engine as per BN7/BT7 except Max power 148 bhp (5200 rpm), Highest power Big
Healey, twin HD8 SU's


"Healey - The handsome brute" is quite a good book, and the log book contains
almost everything you would need to know about the specs. of the different
models, including gear ratios, color schemes, suspension, etc etc.


+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|   John Taylor  [The Banshee]         Victoria University of Technology     |
|  s883351@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au    (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) |
|   MOKING IS A HEALTH HAZARD.          Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA       |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+


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