1973 Jensen Healey Restoration
Project
Part 14- The Forgotten Engine
By Greg Fletcher
Costs For The Last Month: $0
My intensions start out well enough- a trip to the garage to do some Jensen
stuff. Soon however I become side-tracked by other hobbies, other problems
and space issues. Too much stuff! I’ve finally admitted I have a problem
with vintage Italian racing bicycles (there, I’ve said it!), I’ve
hung them all up now I’m moving on to bigger and better things. I gave
the trusty machine shop a call to see how my 2.2 liter engine is doing. The
parts appear to be resting comfortably where I left them last year, so no
problems with anything too sudden about to happen. My fault, as I did say
“take your time”. Unfortunately for me, I have some completely
new priorities to face this summer and the 2.2 is no longer at the top of
the heap. This had me thinking one recent weekend as I was cleaning up the
garage, in preparation for that new burst of JH restoration energy that is
sure to creep up on me at any time. While hanging up bikes I kicked something
very heavy and noticed a small pool of oil on the ground. Oil on the ground
can mean only one thing! A British engine is close by! I completely forgot
about my original Lotus engine from 13242. Out it comes and hey, it looks
good. I can see that cam lobes have almost no wear on them. What would I expect
with only 27,033 documented miles. Hmmm, the previous owner did say it was
running fine- I know, I know, they all say that, but since he gave the car
away, he would have no reason to lie. I could just adjust the shims on this
thing, change the front and rear main seals and we’ll be driving this
puppy to Duke’s Big Kahuana bar by the end of the summer for the celebratory
Mai Tai. Well, I can dream can’t I? My box of parts (and bumpers) waiting
to be powder coated is languishing at home for transportation. The old Land
Rover is still at the Auto Body place getting a bazillion dollars worth of
new parts and body work since last month’s accident when crazy-person-from-a-foreign-country-with-no-insurance
ran into it.
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Jensen Healey Preservation Society