I am extremely grateful to all who have generously contributed suggestions re. my starting problem.
As a result of pondering Bob Hughes description of the effort involved in dealing with the original equipment and the fact that I am attempting to use my Healey as my means of daily transportation I realized that I am not as concerned with maintaining originality as I am with effective functionality. Thus I decided to install an electronic distributor and coil with hope that it might aid with the starting problem and also assist in keeping the car relatively trouble free.
However. I find myself reaching the end of the string. For example, 1 month ago I had the carbs repaired, heater, etc small issues and went on from there.
3 weeks ago I was again in the shop where I was informed that the entire left front end was wobbly and that bolts had been sheared. One week ago it was again in the shop as it wouldn't start. The day before yesterday it was again in the shop to install the distributor. Yesterday, it functioned with no problems, but...after it sat for 2 hours, when I pressed the starter button nothing happened! the lights work, the horn works, the gauges work, the cd player etc works but not even a peep as I attempted to start it.
So...again Monday it goes into the shop
At this point after 20 years of working on the body and replacing /overhauling nearly everything I thought might add to the functionality of the car and the fact that I have driven it a total of approximately 6,500 miles since finally being able to use it I would expect that I might do so with relatively minor problems.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
Due to an extremely low income the costs are becoming more than I can bear. I am reaching the end of the string with the alternatives being either to keeping in garaged full time as a hobby to tinker with with no attempt to use it, or ( sadly) giving up completely, selling it, and attempting to go on, having failed to achieve what I have consistently looked forward to. That is to enjoy the successful and eminently satisfying reward for my diligent efforts.
So it goes. Not that having shared this makes me feel any better but...well.........................
Robert