[Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure

Fri Feb 9 13:04:30 MST 2024

A V8 swap is nothing to be undertaken lightly. It's not as simple as
"dropping in a V8". That's the easy part, mostly focusing on making engine
and transmission mounts and cutting away pieces of the footwells so the
motor will fit with the exhaust headers in place.  It's all the other stuff
you need to do that will really add the work. New electrical system,
radiator, upgraded brakes, fuel system, transmission shifter, etc, etc.
It's worth it in the end if you want a Healey/Cobra, but you'll also knock
off about 30 percent of your car's value or more.  You can see the work I
had to do to put a Ford 5.0L and 5 speed transmission into my BJ7 here:
http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,8264  The Ford 5.0 is narrower than
the Chevy LS so less body cutting to do, but not a huge difference. LS
motors are more likely to be found in a junkyard with low mileage now and
with your brother a GM mechanic, would be very helpful.  I did about 50-75%
of the swap myself, except for the engine rebuild and body fabrication. My
car has 350 hp and I run the stock rear end with 3.55 gears and Dayton 72
spoke wires.  Much more power than that and those parts will start
braking.  A good engine swap is really a joy, but if you do a bad one it
will be a nightmare forever. Chris did a really nice swap with his LS but
he can speak to how much work it was.

My first choice if you don't have that "Need for Speed" would be to try a
replacement Healey 6.

Best of Luck,
Rick

On Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 2:11 PM <rfbegani at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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> 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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