The BenzBoy family Jensen Healey with 731 miles! MIght need Chris on this one...

[Rupert]

For ChrisV: S2000 motor swaps

Morgan

The Morgan doesn't make sense. It's like putting a Harley engine on a brand new Ducati.

[Rupert]

Depends.

Austin Healeys (Big Healeys) are worth more....... probably quite a lot more.

Were they "better"? Don't forget that the design is 20 years older, and things move on a lot in that time.

Received wisdom is that once a Jensen-Healey was properly sorted, it was a decent enough car..... the Lotus engine was good, and it handled well enough.

I will dig out a couple of articles from C&SC and scan them in and send them to you, Benzy, about the things to look for......... you will definitely need some specialist advice and help with this car if you want it to be anything other than an unreliable money pit, at least to get it going. 

I've never driven or ridden in either car, so what do I know (I don't think I'm alone around here WRT lack of experience, though), but IMO, the big Healeys, especially the later cars, were just better cars all around. It was less compromised. IIRC, the J-H had a lot of compromise that the A-H didn't.

[GoCougs]

Here's more S2000 motor swaps for ChrisV:

Datsun 510



318i



And this is interesting since ChrisV had a 2nd gen RX-7 w/swapped motor:

[GoCougs]

The Morgan doesn't make sense. It's like putting a Harley engine on a brand new Ducati.

Yeah I'm not so sure. Most reborn Morgans were sold with crappy Fiat, Ford and Rover 4-bangers or the lackluster Rover V8; only recently with the very high end models did they start using modern BMW V8s...

[Rupert]

Reborn?

Anyway, yeah, the engines Morgan has used haven't been particularly great. I think it's a good enough platform for an engine swap, but the S2000 engine is just so highly strung. I don't want to have to drive a Morgan like it's actually fast, ya know?

[Rupert]

Now, the 510 is an excellent platform for that engine.

[Mustangfan2003]

Now does this car really have 731 miles or 100731 miles?  Seems crazy to park it with just 731.

[Rupert]

This is Benz's family we're talking about. Given Benz, crazy must be normal.

[BENZ BOY15]

This is Benz's family we're talking about. Given Benz, crazy must be normal.

Now does this car really have 731 miles or 100731 miles?  Seems crazy to park it with just 731.

Nope. That's 731. I almost did a video interview of my Grandma asking her why they parked it in the garage....she couldn't really explain why they left it in there since the 1970s. She could explain why they stopped driving it: too dangerous for the kids, my Grandpa didn't know how to shift the Jensen-Healey (that doesn't make much sense though), the mechanic had never seen anything like it and some others....but why they left it there since the 1970s?

She didn't really have an answer. It was funny....but it would have been elderly exploitation and for me to put it on youtube? Didn't want to do that....although I might sometime when I go home again. Stay tuned.



I missed NomisR by a couple hours....I was hoping he could have seen it. Damn.

[Colin]

Yeah I'm not so sure. Most reborn Morgans were sold with crappy Fiat, Ford and Rover 4-bangers or the lackluster Rover V8; only recently with the very high end models did they start using modern BMW V8s...

What on earth is a "reborn Morgan"?

Received wisdom is that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the 4 cylinder engines that Morgan used (and you failed to berate the Rove Group 2 litre that was also used at one time, whilst you were at it), and the Plus 8 with the 3.5, 3.9 and 4.6 litre Rover V8 was and is extremely well regarded.

[Rupert]

They're sufficient engines, sure, but nothing really exceptional.

[Morris Minor]

Morgan has been berated by the motoring press for decades for pigheadedly clinging to its primitive sliding pillar front suspension design. Morgan didn't give a shit though; people still queue up for years to buy the cars.

[hotrodalex]

Now, the 510 is an excellent platform for that engine.

Yeah, I'd consider that swap if I ever get one.

[Rupert]

Morgan has been berated by the motoring press for decades for pigheadedly clinging to its primitive sliding pillar front suspension design. Morgan didn't give a shit though; people still queue up for years to buy the cars.

Yeah, if the old-school suspension is what you're most concerned about in terms of modernity on a Morgan, then it's not the car for you.

[BENZ BOY15]

Yeah, if the old-school suspension is what you're most concerned about in terms of modernity on a Morgan, then it's not the car for you.

How's the Porsche treating you these days?

[Rupert]

Fine. I'm ready to spend a bunch of time/money on fixing a few small things (damned German cars...), but I don't know if I have the money yet (waiting for a raise).

[GoCougs]

A "reborn" Morgan are the anachronisms they sell today and in recent times.

[BENZ BOY15]

Fine. I'm ready to spend a bunch of time/money on fixing a few small things (damned German cars...), but I don't know if I have the money yet (waiting for a raise).

Them Germans....LOL. They have a reputation for great engineering, which is true.....but it doesn't appear to transfer over into reliability.

Great looking car you have there, Mr. Rupert.

[Rupert]

No, it's reliable. It's just old and has expensive parts and mechanics.

[Rupert]

A "reborn" Morgan are the anachronisms they sell today and in recent times.

...

But, "reborn?" They haven't gone away at any point.

[BENZ BOY15]

No, it's reliable. It's just old and has expensive parts and mechanics.

Ya, I was kinda talking about German cars in general....specifically Mercedes.

[Rupert]

They're reliable, too. At least the old ones, which is what I assume we're talking about, since my car is old and this topic arose from talking about my car.

Actually, the '80s Mercs are known for their reliability.

[BENZ BOY15]

They're reliable, too. At least the old ones, which is what I assume we're talking about, since my car is old and this topic arose from talking about my car.

Actually, the '80s Mercs are known for their reliability.

That is true....I guess it's the modern ones that have the reliability problems.

Did we just have a civil conversation?!

[Rupert]

You see the key: Ask me about my car and don't derail the conversation with you/the weather/California.

[BENZ BOY15]

You see the key: Ask me about my car and don't derail the conversation with you/the weather/California.

I'll keep it up....it's much better this way.

[L. ed foote]

Them Germans....LOL. They have a reputation for great engineering, which is true.....but it doesn't appear to transfer over into reliability.

They're reliable, you just have to keep up on maintenance.

[Mustangfan2003]

They're reliable, you just have to keep up on maintenance.

Pretty much why just about any luxury car has a horrible resale value. 

[BENZ BOY15]

I'm really bummed that Nomis didn't get to see it....damn. Alex would have been good too since it seems like he knows quite a bit about fixing cars & he seems like a cool kid in general.

Hell, I guess all of you....even Rupert. I think that, IRL, we would get along....actually.

[cawimmer430]

318i

BLASPHEMY!!!


We don't want this to happen!





Rather, we'd take our chances getting towed! 

[BENZ BOY15]

That's one of my favorite BMWs ever....it looks great! I prefer black.