Scuttle Shake

[Craig Anderson]

Paul,

This is a long lost dance they did in the thirties.  The Scuttle Shake made
somewhat of a comeback in the early fifties and sees a few people
demonstrating it at contests today.

Really though, there as many reasons for the shake as there are Healeys.  I
have heard: Wheels out of balance, driveline out of balance, untuned engine,
and the like.  It causes the aluminum shroud around the engine compartment
shake enough to make a noise and can often be seen whilst driving down the
road.  The engine cover and scuttle (shroud) bounce up and down and can make
noise if the proper rubber bumpers are not in place around the various bits of
metal that make up the front of the Healey.  If the car's body has been apart,
the rebuilders may have left the tar paper strips off the top of the steel
substructure directly under the aluminum shroud just above your knees.  I have
no idea what they were made of but I have used tar paper (roofing felt) for
years.  After the car has been baked in the hot California sun everything
looks like tar paper.

Congratulations on your choice of a Healey.

Regards,

Craig Anderson
Editor, Cascade Magazine
(You really must join our club.  See our web site.)