[Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure

[rfbegani at gmail.com]

Funny you should suggest a v8 replacement.  Chris just made that suggestion to install an LS1 with GM Trans.  My Bother is a retired GM mechanic, and he agrees.  Did you do the exchange?  What engine trans etc. did you use?  All options are on the table.

 

Bob

 

From: HealeyRick <healeyrik at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 1:32 PM
To: rfbegani at gmail.com
Cc: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure

 

Sorry to hear this Bob. What you've been told so far seems correct. Without the main bearing caps you're in a tough spot.  Maybe trying to find a BJ8 block or a rebuildable BJ8 motor is the best of a bad group of choices.  Too bad, I gave away a bare block with caps from a BJ7 a few years ago for a donation to our club charity.  I'd put a wanted ad in the club magazines and Healey forums, Facebook pages and hope someone out there might have one. Try Hemphills, Healey Surgeons, David Nock, maybe they have one that needs rebuilding somewhere. Or do what I did and put a V8 in there!

 

Best of luck,

Rick Neville aka "HealeyRick"

 

On Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 11:12 AM <rfbegani at gmail.com <mailto:rfbegani at gmail.com> > wrote:

Gentlemen:

 

I arrived back to Florida in May and decide to drive my 67 Austin-Healey.  Drove it a mile and heard clanking engine, looked at the oil pressure, It was O! Instead of stooping to have towed home, I drove it back slowly.  Last month, I dropped the pan and started to remove the rod and crank caps and bearings.  My mechanic friend said you got lucky the crank may only need polishing and new bearings.  So, I packed and marked each of the main bearing caps, bolts, and bearings along with piston rods and caps in individual plastic bags. Then packed them into a larger plastic bag which was put under the workbench near the garbage.  We towed the car to Mikes garage so he could pull and disassemble the engine.  Tuesday, he asked me to bring the parts I had removed from the engine so he would have everything in one place.  I looked around but could not find this black plastic bag and then remembered it got pitched in the garbage. So, I am now up the famous creek and am asking this group what I can do?

 

1.	I am told the engine is finished because the Main Bearing caps are not available and even if you could find them, they would need to be line bored on the engine.
2.	I am told that finding an engine block for a 3000 with original main bearing caps is almost impossible.
3.	Finding an engine to be rebuild might be possible.

 

My engine was rebuilt 6000 miles with years ago everything new, so I would like to find a way of fixing the existing engine, if possible.

 

Please give me your advice.

 

Best regards,

 

Bob Begani

67 Austin-Healey BJ8

 

 

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