Our 1959 Austin Healey 3000 was won recently, but the lucky new owner decided to take the cash alternative for the classic sports car but that doesn’t stop our workhsop team from getting back up into fighting health. Our restoration technician Steve has been busy getting the car ready, including replacing the O/S kingpin bushes and kingpin. The originals had deteriorated quite alot and were causing excessive play in the steering.
Whilst checking over the rest of the car, Steve noticed a few small leaks underneath the car so he decided to dive a bit deeper.
”We noticed oil leaking from bell housing area underneath the car and the clutch was very sharp when pulling away so the gearbox was removed to investigate. The gearbox input shaft seal was leaking so was replaced. The engine rear main seal was leaking so had a new modified rear main seal and housing to cure the fault and the clutch was replaced at the same time.”
But it wasn’t all mechnical on the big Healey, our workshop manager (and resident electical genius) John was on the inside of the car helping fix up a few electrical issues which appeared on the car.
”After fitting a new steering box, the indicators didn’t work. After checking the wiring, it was found to be a fault at the switch in the steering wheel centre. The switch was dismantled, and continuity was checked from the indicators to the switch. There was high resistance in the wiring. This was traced to corroded connections. The terminals were removed and cleaned, and the lights were rechecked. The switch was then rebuilt, as was the steering.”
