Breathing more easily
OUR AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000’s starting problem had worsened on the long drive to Provence last July, and firing up in the morning needed several squirts of Easy Start spray down the air intakes. I was a little concerned in rural France as we were running low, but the local
supermarché in Bedoin stocked the precious liquid.
On returning to the UK I scheduled a trip to JME Healeys in Warwick for a carburettor rebuild to fix the starting problem and reduce the fuel consumption, as the exhaust was jet black from running far too rich. Other tweaks to be undertaken while in the workshop included the fitting of oversize thrust bearings on the crankshaft to take up slack and stop the forward movement when the clutch was activated, and rebushing the anti-roll bars as per an MoT advisory. I always plan to bundle together the maintenance of 171 YNO, as it’s a 380-mile round trip for me to The Cape.
On arrival at JME’s everexpanding workshops, Dan Everard looked over the car and handed it straight to Paul, who immediately started to dismantle the twin SUs. This proved a simple matter as I had the engine removed and the engine bay repainted in 2015. Needles, jets, butterflies, spindles and floats were checked and replaced as necessary, and all parts deep cleaned.
I have owned the Austin-Healey since 1987 and, apart from the emergency fitting of diaphragms in Como, Italy, seven years ago, the carburettors have been left to their own devices. But poor starting and high consumption couldn’t be solved by just a quick tune-up last year. Along with a full rebuild, I had new air filters fitted, which were supplied by AH Spares, who make redesigned and improved intakes that look like the originals.
The ’Healey was looking ready for a top-down drive south when I arrived in Warwick to collect it. Mechanic Carl explained that he’d had to restore the spindle linkage, as whoever had worked on the car in the 1980s in Texas had not used genuine parts and, when trying to tune one SU, the other was set at the same time, as they were connected.
The big six-cylinder engine started on the first turn of the key and depressing the clutch didn’t slow the rpm; I’ve since enjoyed much better mpg. A few days in the right workshop has prepared my classic car for summer driving. Now bring on the weather!