Chasing a carburetion flat spot
Now that it has a new fuel tank, Butch set out to chase a part throttle flat spot on the red 4.2 E-type. One interesting discovery was the previous installation of 1-3/4″ carburetor flange gaskets on the HD 8 carbs, which are of course 2″ carburetors. The first time this Jaguar showed up here it was for an emergency repair to a leaking rear carburetor on which the carburetor diaphram had let go. The “HD” designation means that the carb jet is swedged to a nitrile diaphram which seals the bottom of the fuel chamber. Over time they dry out and crack. Their periodic replacement is a good idea.
An Austin Healey 3000 MkIII on test
Currently taking up space in bay #1 is a very late Austin Healey 3000 Mk III, which from memory is approximately #HBJ8 40584, not far off from my old car HBJ8L 40502, which went down the road, or more accurately up the road to Trois Riveres Quebec in 2008 in the throes of the recession.
A year or two later I caught up with it again in the concours circle at the British Invasion of Stowe, resplendid in new Healey Blue paint and a fresh restoration.
NOS Bug Eye overhaul
If memory continues to serve me well, the owner of this Austin Healey told me he found it in Belgium, an unusual venue for a right hand drive car. We’re doing a general maintenance and sorting out the overdrive which doesn’t work due to an apparent electrical problem, at least that’s what we think.
Meanwhile, downstairs I’ve commenced the build up of an early 948 Sprite engine. We’ve decided to strengthen the performance a little bit with a set of N.O.S. Hepolite PowerMAX high compression pistons and an APT cam (not pictured), plus some engine bearings in old blue & white boxes.
Reilly fits up "Myron's" TX tunnel
By the time this report is published Reilly should have the carpet installed on Ol’ Myron, the MG TD from Long Island. The black splash of paint covers his repair to the tunnel which was graciously ‘gifted’ to us by ‘Vermont’s Premier Automotive Restoration Shop”, where it had in fact been left when the car went in for paint. Perhaps it will running by the end of the week.
Kenlowe equipped S1 4.2 leaving for Maine last week
This photo was still in my camera last week when I put these jottings up, but I’m posting it now because it’s a wonderful color for an open E-type, Golden Sand Metallic, which is not too far off some of the colors seen today on considerably less colorful cars. It sure ran nicely, too.
The biggest problem I run into when I’m moving these around is that I often ‘lose’ passing traffic in my mirrors. This is because they’re hanging back taking it all in. Who could possibly blame them ?
