[Healeys] BT7 Restoration Restart after 20 Yrs

[JSARCH]

Hey Joe,

 

I remember you and recall some posts. The shop that painted my car sprayed the chassis and frame and hung the shrouds and other body panels to paint both sides. You can install the parts as described except for the fresh air hose, blower motor hoses and radiator. If you install them, you will not be able to install the fender bolts and the three screws that attach the shroud to the frame at the front of the bonnet. I have attached a photo of the rear shroud that shows the 3 rivet locations; it was painted off the car. The other photo shows the front shroud that is just held on with zip ties temporarily. The head-on picture is with the shroud attached to the chassis. BTW, I had fitted the radiator prior to attaching the shroud but removed it because access is better without it in place for the wiring.

 

A&M Motor Supply boiled my block and did the machine work like boring for oversized pistons, line boring for the cam bearings, valve grinding and surfacing the head and block. I fitted and aftermarket crank seal myself.

 

Glad you are driving down the path to enjoy your healey.

 

John Spaur

’62 BT7

 

From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of joe mulqueen via Healeys
Sent: Monday, September 1, 2025 12:09 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: [Healeys] BT7 Restoration Restart after 20 Yrs

 

Hello All, I'm a 20 year lurker, with thousands of unread digest emails because of marriage, kids, and other life issues (ha ha....I think it was worth it!)  Things got so bad I almost forgot that I had a BT7 left in storage in Southern CA, while I had been living in Northern CA   The car was a wreck when I got it, and it needed alot of structural and body repair.  I worked on it up to a refreshed rolling chassis status before putting it away.  But now today it's at a paint shop in Los Angeles, with a guy that has done 9 other Healeys before mine.  I'm jazzed I got a time slot with him.

 

There are some issues though.  I live 350 miles away up in Santa Clara (Northern CA) so can only get down there every few wks...but I do have a Healey friend who knows the guy and is checking in and taking pics.  Also decided I will install the engine after the paint job...and after I bring the car up North...I wrangled over these logistics along time.

 

When the rough repairs were done 25 yrs ago, all body parts were stripped, fixed, and check fitted.  The current body/paint guy is tyding up the shrouds and will paint all under surfaces, then hang for outer finish and paint.  When done, I will own the final fit and even the final fit of the shrouds.  I'm planning to install the engine and ducting with the painted shroud lifted off the car.  That's my assumption...Is that possible if careful?

 

Also, any referals for a engine machine shop preferably in Northern CA?  I have the engine in my garage all stripped down..

Regards,

Joe M

Santa Clara

60 BT7

 

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