Discussion
Hi All
Looking for a nice unusual 60s or 70s sports car. I have started looking at the Jensen Healey convertable. 2 litre twin cam engine, nice looks (in the eye of the beholder), unusual and seamingly quite cheap. I dont know much about these cars is there some huge drawback to purchasing and owning one of these cars?
Mick
Looking for a nice unusual 60s or 70s sports car. I have started looking at the Jensen Healey convertable. 2 litre twin cam engine, nice looks (in the eye of the beholder), unusual and seamingly quite cheap. I dont know much about these cars is there some huge drawback to purchasing and owning one of these cars?
Mick
AFAIK the only drawback is the engine - being a Lotus it's expensive to rebuild, but if you get one that's already been done that shouldn't be a problem.
If you want a bit of extra refinement go for a late Mk2 - the trim was better and they were 5 speed, the downside is that you have to pay roadtax and they have big bouncy bumpers.
I've got a brief run down of the models here http://www.ahc-southerncounties.co.uk/, click on About Healeys in the menu then on Jensen.
I think they are a nice design (a bit modern for me, and only 2 seats) although in their day the build quality wasn't good enough and they were expensive so never really took off.
If you want rarity, go for a GT - 4 seat estate, only 509 made.
John
If you want a bit of extra refinement go for a late Mk2 - the trim was better and they were 5 speed, the downside is that you have to pay roadtax and they have big bouncy bumpers.
I've got a brief run down of the models here http://www.ahc-southerncounties.co.uk/, click on About Healeys in the menu then on Jensen.
I think they are a nice design (a bit modern for me, and only 2 seats) although in their day the build quality wasn't good enough and they were expensive so never really took off.
If you want rarity, go for a GT - 4 seat estate, only 509 made.
John
Edited by john2443 on Saturday 28th June 19:55
Wacky Racer said:
They were not rated very highly (even when they were new,) regarded by most people (Like the MGC) as a flop.
Better (imo) to go for something like a Triumph GT6 or better still a TR5 or 6.
True.Better (imo) to go for something like a Triumph GT6 or better still a TR5 or 6.
At the time they were rated as an unreliable heap of crap...don't see why that should have changed with age.
grahamw48 said:
Wacky Racer said:
They were not rated very highly (even when they were new,) regarded by most people (Like the MGC) as a flop.
Better (imo) to go for something like a Triumph GT6 or better still a TR5 or 6.
True.Better (imo) to go for something like a Triumph GT6 or better still a TR5 or 6.
At the time they were rated as an unreliable heap of crap...don't see why that should have changed with age.
I really feel I must take issue with that. I've owned three and still regard the Jensen-Healey as the best sports car I've ever had.
They rust - agreed. That's what killed two of mine, but only because I abused them a bit (see below) and was too poor to afford to repair them. The third was still going strong when I had to sell it owing to needing something with 4 seats.
The engine is great - my first did 95,000 miles before the sills rotted. It did huge mileages in Scotland as my only transport at a time when my job caused me to drive to very remote places up forestry tracks and over rough and snowy ground - all of which it handled with no problems (but probably contributed to its rusty demise). I used to use my third one to tour France as summer holidays - great fun and never a worry about breaking down.
It's fast (for its time) comfortable, and very roomy. The interior is great. The MkII is less rust prone than the Mk1, but possibly only marginally. The engine weaknesses I remember were:
- exhaust manifolds - these are welded tubular items and tended to fracture after about 50,000 miles. Cropredy Bridge garage did a replacement design which cured this.
- exhaust valves - one of my cars used to burn them at regular 40,000 mile intervals. Dunno why - the others were OK.
- electronic ignition is a good idea, partly to keep everything smooth, and partly because the distributor is a bit of a sod to get at under the carbs, so the points don't tend to get adjusted as well as they might.
I'd have another one in a shot if I could find a reasonably non-rusty version.
J
Edited by John_W on Monday 30th June 19:18
Thanks for putting the other side, and in such a polite way, considering my dismissive remarks.
The engine was the same as used in the Lotus Elite/Eclat/Esprit wasn't it ?
I actually liked the look and image of the car, and was disappointed when the adverse reports started to come through.
Maybe they should have given it a fibreglass body.
The engine was the same as used in the Lotus Elite/Eclat/Esprit wasn't it ?
I actually liked the look and image of the car, and was disappointed when the adverse reports started to come through.
Maybe they should have given it a fibreglass body.
I had one!
The later ones have a better method of holding the cam covers on.
Sadly mine was an earlier one with six ( or 8) 10mm bolts holding them on.
The oil collects in the exhaust cam area and since the exhaust cam is effectively on its side the oil soaks into the cork gaskets and then leaks all over the exhaust and then soaks through the exhaust gaskets.
Lots of smoke, lots of noise and the exhaust manifold is the complete BASTID to get at.
Sadly it seems that when this happens the first time it seems that people have a tendancy to just try tightening the 6 bolts.
This has the effect of spreading the cam box cover, whuch is U shaped and actually makes the problem worse.
In theory the Jensen Healey is a good concept.
In reality it was a certified nightmare that I struggled to get rid of.
Best avoided IMHO
TBH 924L where are you now?
The later ones have a better method of holding the cam covers on.
Sadly mine was an earlier one with six ( or 8) 10mm bolts holding them on.
The oil collects in the exhaust cam area and since the exhaust cam is effectively on its side the oil soaks into the cork gaskets and then leaks all over the exhaust and then soaks through the exhaust gaskets.
Lots of smoke, lots of noise and the exhaust manifold is the complete BASTID to get at.
Sadly it seems that when this happens the first time it seems that people have a tendancy to just try tightening the 6 bolts.
This has the effect of spreading the cam box cover, whuch is U shaped and actually makes the problem worse.
In theory the Jensen Healey is a good concept.
In reality it was a certified nightmare that I struggled to get rid of.
Best avoided IMHO
TBH 924L where are you now?
Edited by odyssey2200 on Monday 30th June 22:48
Graham,
Yep, same engine as used in the Lotus Elite/Eclat/Esprit - Lotus 907 all alloy.
Much of what Odyssey says is also valid. The cam covers used to leak, but the cork gaskets were replaced long ago by impermeable rubber/plastic. If they weren't put on correctly they did drip oil onto the manifold (which is indeed a sod to replace - but not the Cropredy alternative version), and people did overtighten the cam cover bolts. It's all alloy, so you need to be careful - maybe in the olden days people weren't used to alloy engines.
The car does have its little foibles, but I was happy to put up with them for the comfort, handling and performance. It was extremely comfortable for long journeys (best driving position I've ever had) and you could drive in the rain with the hood down and didn't get wet so long as you stayed above 30 (try that in an MGB). I used to tow a boat with mine (a 16' dinghy).
In fact, talking about MGBs, I replaced my second Healey with a B, but was very disappointed. It was from a different age, and didn't have the comfort, speed, handling or general usability. It also needed a lot more TLC and rusted away in front of my very eyes. I did not buy another.
I guess what I'm saying is that the Jensen-Healey is good, but I agree it's not perfect. However it's streets ahead of the MGB, and was a lot more reliable than the Stag I bought when we needed 4 seats (lovely car, but cost me a fortune and it was always a surprise and relief when it actually ended a journey where I intended and not in a garage or on a flatbed).
All this with the caveat that my Jensen-Healey days ended 18 years ago. So either they're all a pile of rust now, or you'll find good examples which have had to be looked after to survive.
You know, I think I've just talked myself into trawling the Pistonheads ads.
John
Yep, same engine as used in the Lotus Elite/Eclat/Esprit - Lotus 907 all alloy.
Much of what Odyssey says is also valid. The cam covers used to leak, but the cork gaskets were replaced long ago by impermeable rubber/plastic. If they weren't put on correctly they did drip oil onto the manifold (which is indeed a sod to replace - but not the Cropredy alternative version), and people did overtighten the cam cover bolts. It's all alloy, so you need to be careful - maybe in the olden days people weren't used to alloy engines.
The car does have its little foibles, but I was happy to put up with them for the comfort, handling and performance. It was extremely comfortable for long journeys (best driving position I've ever had) and you could drive in the rain with the hood down and didn't get wet so long as you stayed above 30 (try that in an MGB). I used to tow a boat with mine (a 16' dinghy).
In fact, talking about MGBs, I replaced my second Healey with a B, but was very disappointed. It was from a different age, and didn't have the comfort, speed, handling or general usability. It also needed a lot more TLC and rusted away in front of my very eyes. I did not buy another.
I guess what I'm saying is that the Jensen-Healey is good, but I agree it's not perfect. However it's streets ahead of the MGB, and was a lot more reliable than the Stag I bought when we needed 4 seats (lovely car, but cost me a fortune and it was always a surprise and relief when it actually ended a journey where I intended and not in a garage or on a flatbed).
All this with the caveat that my Jensen-Healey days ended 18 years ago. So either they're all a pile of rust now, or you'll find good examples which have had to be looked after to survive.
You know, I think I've just talked myself into trawling the Pistonheads ads.
John
Edited by John_W on Tuesday 1st July 21:55
I don't know....TVR always used pretty 'cooking' engines from Ford or BMC.
The Wedges used 2 litre Pinto (very few), 2.8i Capri, or trusty Rover V8, so nothing hairy or potentially expensive there.
Chassis are usually good for 15 years or more, and then not a difficult repair.
I haven't regretted buying any of the three I've had...certainly regretted selling.
The Wedges used 2 litre Pinto (very few), 2.8i Capri, or trusty Rover V8, so nothing hairy or potentially expensive there.
Chassis are usually good for 15 years or more, and then not a difficult repair.
I haven't regretted buying any of the three I've had...certainly regretted selling.
If you are still interested in a Jensen-Healey take a look in the Jensen Owners CLub website there is a whole section dedicated to the car.
Lots of them still about, they even have thier own marque specialist.
http://www.joc.org.uk/
Regards
Lots of them still about, they even have thier own marque specialist.
http://www.joc.org.uk/
Regards
Just remembered another foible of the Healey
The bonnet support is only on one side (Drivers IIRC) and if you leave the bonnet open for any period of time it twists under its own weight and can cause the outer skin to come away from the frame.
If the bonnet is bent it is a fairly good sign that the car has a history of "bonnet open for long period" issues.
The bonnet support is only on one side (Drivers IIRC) and if you leave the bonnet open for any period of time it twists under its own weight and can cause the outer skin to come away from the frame.
If the bonnet is bent it is a fairly good sign that the car has a history of "bonnet open for long period" issues.
Lots of opinions about JH's and a bit of truth in all of them. The car received rave reviews when it was launched but soon the problems of poor workmanship and unreliable engines (Colin Chapman, no guarantee, duh!) came to light, things were much improved in the mk11 but mud stuck and the rest is history. Yes they can make a alfasud look galvanised at the rate they can rot but everything rusted in those days, generally easy if usually extensive repairs. The engines are the best bit, you can get 200+hp and rev over 7000rpm reliably these days (two twin chokes dellortos bellowing away, no weedy SU's) which will blow away contempory cars and suprise a lot of modern stuff - try that in an mgb, tr6 etc. Having said that a bad engine will make you laugh/weep uncontrollably at the expense of curing oil leaks, poor compression, etc. Chassis/suspension set up was good for the day if too soft as standard, comfortable ride though. Most of the problems will have been ironed out on a decently restored car these days, a rough one only worth putting in a skip. You might have guessed I've got one which I compete in hill climbs and sprints and the car is very competitive - won my class in the HSA last year http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/
It's a cracking engine.....IF looked after properly.
If neglected, as a lot were by poor servicing, they gained a reputation that you can see here.
Yes, they are expensive to rebuild, engine wise, so buy wisely, rather than not buy at all.
The tin-worm issue is another matter entirely though.....
But, probably no worse than any other 70's British sports car.
If neglected, as a lot were by poor servicing, they gained a reputation that you can see here.
Yes, they are expensive to rebuild, engine wise, so buy wisely, rather than not buy at all.
The tin-worm issue is another matter entirely though.....
But, probably no worse than any other 70's British sports car.
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