[Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure

[m.g.sharp at sympatico.ca]

Bob,  I am not an engineer but have been fixing my cars for 50 years or so
and rebuilt a few engines.  My opinion is that there would be no harm in
taking caps from another engine, machining the mating surfaces, then align
boring them.  This is not a really big deal and a competent engine
builder/machine shop can do it.  However, I would like to see one of the
specialists weigh in on that opinion.  Mike Salter - what do you think?

 

I don't think it would be too tough to locate a bare block and rob it of the
bearing caps.  If I read your message correctly, do you also need rods and
pistons?

 

Mirek

 

From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of
rfbegani at gmail.com
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 10:47 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: [Healeys] BJ8 1967 Engine Rebuild failure

 

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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