1973 Jensen Healey Restoration
Project
Part 20- Bottom End Work Begins
By Greg Fletcher
Costs For The Last Month: $190
I’m starting on the engine rebuild, again. It’s been so dark and
wet the last few weeks that I’ve been forced to add new lighting to
my garage just so I can work in the gloom. New rod bearings have been sourced
from Tasmania. Weird, I know. The bearings are from a Holden- some odd Aussie
sedan that never went to the UK or the US (also works in a Bedford and a Vauxhall
from the UK). Who knows why they fit (knowing Lotus they were probably trying
to save development costs way back when), but they do. The quality is slightly
better than the old Vandervells. ACI bearing shells from Tasmania has resulted
in a 50% savings in cost for me, but involves a bit more labor to allow the
new bearings to fit (as the nib is on the other side), details in the rebuild
section this month. It takes about 10 - 15 minutes per rod to do the necessary
filing, so nothing too terrible. I’ve also been working on the brake
system. All the brake lines under the bonnet looked rather grubby, so I’ve
removed them all and sanded them down with 500 grit emery paper. Once shinny
and looking nice I’ve coated them with a clear, durable, UV resistant
enamel. It looks much better now. You can’t have everything looking
all nice with ugly brake lines, right? The JHPS Jensport Big Brake Caliper
is on the car, but I’m still waiting for the right size rigid tubes
to come back. I flubbed up and had some prototype tubes made that didn’t
fit- it seems once the car was lowered and the spring compressed there was
some interference- can’t have that. That’s all been sorted out
now and I’m getting close to getting fluid into the complete system
in the next few weeks. I’ve also made a trip to LA to get some custom
wheel adaptors made. The stock wheels need to push out a bit to clear the
calipers. Another project taking too much time. It seems the wheel studs on
the JH are hopelessly antiquated and additional studs (to fit these adaptors)
to make the whole thing work must be manufactured.
continue to Part 21
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