Weren't some of the fastest Australian Healeys at AUHC all running Armstrong
lever arm front shocks? They were last time I looked.
Certainly - last time I looked at Peter Jacksons/ Paul Freestones/ Rob
Rowlands cars - they all had Armstrong Lever arm front shocks.
Here in Australia - in the logbook class they race in - they could e.g.
devalve the armstongs, use them as the suspension pickup point, and fit a
tubular shock - if they wanted to. Some people have. Some have even
fabricated top 'wishbones' to do away with the lever arm shock in its
entirety.
Anyone who looked closely at any of these front running Australian Healey
race cars recently - if they were still running lever arms - why would that
be?
If you looked at the preparation of any of these cars - do you think those
guys were just using the 'old' Armstrong lever arm shocks on the front to
maybe save a few bucks.... or maybe that there's more to it? Rears are
different - in that a set of old 'adjustable' rear lever arm armstrongs are
hard to find - so using a tubular shock allows you to soften the rear
easily. Yes - soften.
Personally - I'm with Dave. Nothing wrong with lever arm shocks that are
well maintained, tightened, and operating within their specification (or
uprated to even better specification).
:)
Chris
www.myaustinhealey.com
PS If anyone has a set of adjustable rear armstong lever arm shocks that
they no longer require - I'm an interested buyer for the back of black &
white car.... contact me off list!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave & M" <rusd@velocitus.net>
To: "Rizzo Steven D LtCol AETC/XPRU" <Steven.Rizzo@RANDOLPH.AF.MIL>
Cc: <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 3:44 AM
Subject: Re: Bilstein Gas Shock Conversion?
> Hi Steve,
>
> I think the type of shocks & brand that you use, are largely a matter of
> personal preference. Personally, I like the lever shocks, IF they and
> their mounts are in top condition. Sometimes folks replace old lever
> shocks with new tube types & report remarkable improvements. Not
> surprising, as they are comparing new shocks to worn shocks.
>
> If you do a shock conversion, be very sure that the shock mounting
> hardware design is up to the added strain that will be put on it. Some
> kits are questionable in this respect.
>
> Glad the car is working out for you!
>
> Regards,
> Dave Russell
>
> Rizzo Steven D LtCol AETC/XPRU wrote:
> > Hi, Listers!
> >
> > Hope all of you Americans had a great 4th holiday! I notice it is a
> > little "slow" on the list so thought I would venture out and ask a
> > question: How many of you have modified your Healeys with the
> > Bilstien gas shock conversion? AND what do you think - was it worth
> > the trouble and money? All I have heard on the conversion so far is
> > that it greatly enhances the road handling ability of the big Healey.
> > I was finally able to drive my BJ8 this holiday weekend and all went
> > well. Newly rebuilt starter turned the engine over much more rapidly
> > than before - started great and had a great drive. Balanced brake
> > drums seemed to help eliminate the 55 mph minor shake, the wheel
> > seals didn't leak and the engine ran strong. Nice time. However,
> > while driving along enjoying my new windblocker and all I thought -
> > OK, what next? Thoughts on the Bilsteins?
> >
> > Stever
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