> Does anyone know of a complete & ordered list of steps (as in original
> assembly line steps) for re-assembling the Big Healey? I'd like to follow
the
> same sequence in re-building my car.
>
> Richard Bittmann BJ7
> Tacoma, WA USA >>
From: David Nock <healeydoc@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: Assembly Sequence
We have a section in our web site that covers these procedures.
David Nock
NEW E-mail Addresses!!!
David Nock, Technical Questions healeydoc@sbcglobal.net
http://www.britishcarspecialists.com
click on "restoration"
I looked at David's list to compare it with what we've written in our
Restoration Guide and can't disagree with anything he's written. It's a good
check
list for both disassembly and assembly.
Might be worth noting that their procedure (basically build a powered chassis
first, then do body work, paint, and final interior and trim.) does NOT
follow the methods used when the cars were originally built. Main reason was
not
efficiency, but rather that BMC was buying in the bodies from Jensen's already
fully trimmed, and then was installing their own running gear (suspension,
engine, transmission).
Some restorers swear by a variation on the original method whereby the
chassis, bodywork and paint are done first, while the drive train is being
rebuilt
separately. Then electrical, and plumbing is installed, and after that engine
and transmission are dropped in, and finally interior and trim is installed.
IMHO, about the only real difference between the two is the relative ease of
installing the heater and air ducts, and hanging the fenders, though you
certainly do put your fresh new paint job at a little risk if you leave the
engine
and tranny installation to last.
I think if you expect to be able to do the entire restoration in one
sequence, with no long-term interruptions, and can schedule paint and body work
to be
done at the same time as engine, tranny, and suspension rebuild, doing it in
the factory order is probably the quickest process in terms of calendar time
(body and paint work doesn't have to wait until chassis is done).
On the other hand, if you expect to have major pauses in the work, you don't
want a freshly painted body to be sitting around for six months or longer
while you do other things. Way too much risk of damaging it, and that fresh
paint
job does start to deteriorate if it is left in the corner of the garage for
too long, even with a cover on it.
Just my two cents,
Gary Anderson
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