"Nakazoto" (Nakazoto)
07/05/2018 at 17:06 • Filed to: None
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"Nakazoto" (Nakazoto)
07/05/2018 at 17:06 • Filed to: None | 17
| 14 |
A couple of months ago, the Healey had a catastrophic front suspension failure. After performing some pretty harrowing surgery, I had the front suspension back together only to have it pulling hard left.
Full story here:
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Well, I pulled the wheels off and started to have a root around. The front brake pads were almost gone and the front wheel bearings had way too much play in them. This was causing the driver side disc to bind after about a 3/4 turn. That was most likely the cause of it pulling hard left.
So, I pulled the front end apart, put new wheel bearings in, and then rebuilt the front calipers with all new seals, pistons, and pads. Of course, in the process, one of the brake hard lines snapped, so I had to make a new one of those from scratch. Then I wanted to check the rear brakes, but one of the rear hub bolts (which you have to remove to get the drum off) rounded off and gave me hell for about three weeks.
I finally got the bad bolt and stud out and a new stud in with ten new hub bolts on both sides. Got it back on to it’s wheels today and made a rig to check the front toe-in (essentially a flat metal bar that I clamped two L-squares to so I could measure the distance from the outer edges of each front tire). With the toe-in in spec, I took her for a drive and man does she drive great now.
No more pulling to the left, the brakes feel nice and strong, and the
steering feels light with good feedback and a decent on-center feel (I mean it is still 50 years old). We’ll take her on longer and longer test drives to get a proper shakedown into her, but that’ll have to
wait until it isn’t so hot out that my face melts if I’m in the sun for more than 10 minutes.
Matt Nichelson
> Nakazoto
07/05/2018 at 17:29 |
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That, in my opinion, is one the best color combinations for a Healey. How long did it take to make all those repairs?
CaptDale - is secretly British
> Nakazoto
07/05/2018 at 17:43 |
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What the fuck?! I didn’t know there was an Oppo with a big Healey!!! How did I not know this?! I am flabbergasted...
Just cause I have a square Healey and a 100-6 BN6 (slight rally works replica) is like my ultimate dream car.
I am very happy yours is back on the road
Nothing
> CaptDale - is secretly British
07/05/2018 at 17:46 |
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Holy moly, I’m right there with you. I love big Healeys. There’s one in my neighborhood, and an MGA, that are out and about every once in a while. Love em!
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Nothing
> Nakazoto
07/05/2018 at 17:46 |
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Pretty car! Congrats on getting it back together and on the road!
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> Nothing
07/05/2018 at 17:56 |
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I would sell my GTO if it meant getting the perfect 100/6. And that is a car I want to keep forever, but the big Healey tugs the most at my heart over every other car I have ever wanted.
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Nakazoto
> Nothing
07/05/2018 at 18:25 |
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Thank you! Once I’m confident in it, I’ll strap some GoPros to it and unleash it so y’all can hear the glorious straight 6!
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Nakazoto
> Matt Nichelson
07/05/2018 at 18:27 |
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When my Dad first got the car (some 35 years ago), it was all blue. When he restored it he decided to go for the blue/white combo and I’m so glad he did! It’s about a 25 year old restoration though, so it could use a respray and some interior bits. Still, she’s a ton of fun to drive!
The repairs themselves didn’t take all that long to battle through. The Healey uses a lot of weird sized stuff, but usually you can make something work. The long part is when you break something and then the wait for parts from Moss Motors. They’re quick at shipping, but multiple orders along the way slow things down.
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Nakazoto
> CaptDale - is secretly British
07/05/2018 at 18:33 |
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The MkIV Sprite is a really, really cool car though! They’re so simply designed, they’re actually really elegant looking.
If you’re ever down in Texas, let me know and we’ll take the old girl for a spin! Although, that’ll just make you want a big Healey even more - the sound the 3.0 straight six makes is the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever heard. Sometimes, when working on it I get frustrated (because it’s British and if you aren’t frustrated working on a British car you can legally be classified as a sociopath), but as soon as I fire the engine up all the frustration just melts away.
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> Nakazoto
07/05/2018 at 18:42 |
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I love my little Sprite a lot! And yes the frustration is real. I can’t wait till mine is done. Then driving it to Alaska will be fun!
Shit, now I have a reason to go back to Texas.... I might take you up on that offer someday.
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> CaptDale - is secretly British
07/05/2018 at 21:23 |
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You should, you can see all his awesome JDM classics while you’re there too! :P
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> Nakazoto
07/05/2018 at 21:23 |
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Glad to see the old girl is back on the road! Saw one exactly like it here not that long ago, and another in a very elegant black/red paint scheme! :)
MiniGTI - now with XJ6
> Nakazoto
07/06/2018 at 00:18 |
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Completely agree. I was out in my TR6 the other day. Man that straight 6 is ear porno.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Nakazoto
07/06/2018 at 05:56 |
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well done!
i have to concede i laughed at your misfortune there, but you have succeeded
Berang
> Nakazoto
07/12/2018 at 03:14 |
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spotted a thing of possible interest:
https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/d/1976-opel-kadett-60000/6631778161.html