100/6 BN4 Restoration

[Acton51]

Good morning everyone.
I'm always looking for a lockable handle for the BN4. But now I would like to do a little history of this car.
Comes from the USA, production March 1958, chassis no. 59194, matching numbers. It was built in Abingdon in the period of overlap in the two BN4 locations, therefore with the characteristics of those manufactured in Longbridge.
Rather battered, we began a complete restoration.
Here are some initial photos.

 

[Acton51]

Disassembled, sandblasted, rebuilt in sheet metal and subjected to cataphoresis.
Some details:

 

[Acton51]

Front suspension

 

[Acton51]

Each component was disassembled, cleaned and evaluated.
About 70% have been recovered.
Rear axle

 

[Editor_Reid]

Looks like lots of good work accomplished. Congratulations and thanks for bringing another one back to former glory (or maybe even better!).

 

[Acton51]

Apologies for the delay, I am inserting some photos relating to the restoration of the engine. I would like to point out that we have recovered more than 70% of the components, the remaining 30% is represented, naturally, by pistons, gaskets, cables and various connections.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Very nice. Where did you find the spacers for the carburettors; they are usually phenolic/bakelite, yours appear to fiber (and stacked)?

 

[gonzo]

Excellent work. Brings back memories of restoring my '62 BJ7 some 35 years ago. To Bob's question: Those fiber carb spacers were original to the early BJ7s too, and look to be made of pressed asbestos (like the heat shields). These were removed, stored in a zip-lock plastic bag then replaced with the later phenolic ones.

 

[Acton51]

To answer your question, I will confess that the spacers are the original ones of the car.

 

[Acton51]

Hello everyone.
We are assembling the electrical system on the 1958 BN4.
The question is: should the system fixing clips be galvanized white or yellow?
Thanks in advance
Francesco

 

[Jerry]

What color was the outside of the car. Looks some kind of green but I can't tell what?

 

[BobHaskell]

Hello everyone.
We are assembling the electrical system on the 1958 BN4.
The question is: should the system fixing clips be galvanized white or yellow?
Thanks in advance
Francesco

I'd like to suggest that you get a copy of the Austin-Healey Concours Registry's Guidelines. You can order a copy from their website. Even if you're not restoring the BN4 to concours condition, the guidelines can answer a lot of questions, like what color are the wiring harness P-clips:

 

[Acton51]

I will get a copy of the guidelines.
For Jerry: the livery will be two-tone in Ivory white and blackThanks to both.
Thanks

 

[Acton51]

Hello everyone. New clarification.
Now the BN4 is taking shape and the questions are increasing. We have to mount the engine on the frame, but then it becomes very difficult once the shroud is added, to close the fixing bolts of the wings.
Need some advice: first the engine or first the shroud with the wings?
How did you do it?
Thanks in advance.
Francesco

 

[NutmegCT]

I'd say engine first.

Say, are you doing all the restoration work? or hiring a shop?

 

[Acton51]

No, we are two friends with a passion.
Look at the beginning of the thread.
So, first the engine.
But then can you close the bolts of the wings?
How did you do it?

 

[John Turney]

I put the engine in with the shroud and wings in place. (I never removed the shroud.)

 

[red57]

I did it the other way around - a complete running/driving chassis prior to adding shrouds and wings. The only really tough area of wing attachment is the right side behind the heater fan & I used 1/4" drive sockets with a universal joint and long extensions, with electrical tape around the universal to stiffen it's flex. I was too afraid I'd scratch the paint if I installed the engine after painting.