I just want to introduce myself to the list. I have restored and owned a 59
TR3A for the last 9 years. This was sold to make room and obtain finances
to restore my recent acquisition of a 1960 BN7. I was also in the middle of
restoring a Bugeye which will now get relegated to my shed until the BN 7 is
done.
While I intend to do a frame off restoration, I am still in the evaluation
stage of determining the condition of the BN7. The car has 92,000 miles on
the drive train, engine compression starting with #1 cylinder is, 158, 170,
175, 175, 175, 175. I am rebuilding the carbs and hope to fire it up this
week
and see if I can drive it around the block to check out the drive train, the
tranny is a side shifter with overdirve. There is some body sag on the
drivers side, hence the need to do a frame off. The body panels "appear" to
be in
OK to decent shape, only time will tell. The front suspension and steering
are "tired'.
My question is, while the car is still intact, what else should I be looking
for?
I intend to restore this car close original specs, but this car will not be
a garage queen, like my former Triumph, it will be driven quite often. Are
there any non visual or reversible upgrades that I should consider? I was
considering a BJ8 regrind on the camshaft (if this is possible), some mild
porting, upgrade the radiator with more core area and installing a free flow
exhaust.
Also, once apart, are there any areas of the frame/body that need to be
strengthened or reinforced?
I've taken about 30-40 pictures of the outside, interior and engine bay.
Are there any areas in particular that I should record in more detail. This
car had a superficial restoration back in the early 80's, so I cannot be
completely positive of what is original. All I can be sure of is that the
carpet
is indoor/outdoor from someone's back porch, it's pretty ugly but nicely fit :)
The DPO has included several manuals, Bently, Haynes, Auto Books and I have
ordered a couple of Healey restoration books who's titles escape me right now
but the authors are Declive? and Anderson. I am thinking about purchasing
the Concours Big Healey guidelines. Are there any other publications that I
should be looking at?
I look forward to any information or guidance that this list has for me. As
this restoration will take a few years you will probably hear form me quite
often in the coming months.
Regards,
Gary Bouffard
Southington, Connecticut
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