Jensen Healey Prep Progress Number IV - Getting Close!

[Ron Earp]

We're getting close to having a JH race car! Here are some pics of recent progress, suspension done, electrics done, most things are tidied up, just have to put in the engine and transmission. They are mated, but since the last time I posted I had a head sealing problem and had to tear the motor back down. So, it is still out of the car. One of the Jensen Healey "features" is that you cannot remove a head while the engine is in the car. Good feature, glad they built that in.

http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-April1.JPG
http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-april2.JPG
http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-april3.JPG
http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-april4.JPG
http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-april5.JPG
http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-april6.JPG
http://www.gt40s.com/images/jensen/mini-april7.JPG


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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey ITS
1/2 a 260Z ITS

[lateapex911]

Looks great Ron!

Looks like you have a friend in the graphics biz..AND you own a Brother P Touch labelmaker!

Very thorough!

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[zracre]

Beautiful car!! the added benefit is you can run HSR and other vintage events too. I still have my ITS 240Z that i restored...when it was done i didnt want to run it in IT (i had a few people lose their brakes and hit the expensive bits a few times). Good luck and maybe see you at the ARRC this year??

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Evan Darling
ITA Integra

[mckeaaan]

Wow, really great... thanks for sharing the pics...

That gives me insiration and guidance as I attempt to put together my first car.

So where did you get all the great graphics? And the black and white circle numbers... I want to go with those.

One other question, I the photos, it seems like you might be sitting further than the 5" minimum they give you... is this true? and is it intentional?

What region will you be racing in?

Regards,
Matt

[Ron Earp]

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate that. Jeff and I have a lot of hours in the car, and a lot more to go.

Any graphics people can do the black/white numbers, just tell them you want a black roundel with white numbers - done deal.

Right now this car is high due to shock/spring issues - the hardest thing to figure out on this car. Nothing is available, so everything is custom built - including the 3.25" ID (try that at Pegasus) front springs on double A arm front suspension. So, the springs are off - I need lower in the front by about 2" and probably 1.5" or more in the rear to get it down to a proper height. At least - if not more - we could 4 wheel in this joker.

Right now I just want to get it running and I'll work that out as we go. There are MANY damn issues with building a car like this. I ain't complaining, since I like the Brit cars or hard to do tasks, but if I'd started with a 240z or a 260z (hey, I have one of those) then I'd be racing (hey, that is why we got the 260z) already. Still a lot of work left but I can see the light in the tunnel and it isn't a train.

In the end I think it'll be competitive, or at least as competitive as a good 240z. 2240lbs light, probably 150 rear wheel hp is obtainable, with a decent suspension too boot. At least on paper. A lot more development will be needed to move it beyond paper specs - thus it is a "long term" project car. Might race at CMP in May, might not, just depends on how work flow goes with other cars I am associated with or are responsible for.


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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey ITS
1/2 a 260Z ITS

[This message has been edited by rlearp (edited April 27, 2005).]

[m glassburner]

Is that an hour meter I see ?? I'm going to have to "borrow" that idea http://ITForum.ImprovedTouring.com/smile.gif

[Ron Earp]

Yep, it is. I borrowing that from my flying and put them on every car I wrench on. Much more useful than mileage (mine doesn't work) since the time is the more accurate indicator of use. I hope to build a log so that I know that front pads last X hours, rears last Y hours, engine oil looks like hell in Z hours, caught fire at A hours, etc.

R

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Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey ITS
1/2 a 260Z ITS