Brainerd's Garage

07/23/2023

TR6 came in with an intermittent low clutch pedal. Sometimes ok, others it would grind going into gear. Checked hydraulics and all good, pulled the gearbox to check the taper pin although they usually just break and you lose the clutch completely.

Found the pin was bottomed in the threads but still loose on the shaft. No safety wire and the pin flattened from chucking back and forth. Never seen that before.

A good used shaft, new hardened pin safety wired and cross drilled for a grade 8 bolt and back in business.

05/08/2022

We have a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MkIII available. All original and in need of restoration, it has been sitting since 1989. Complete and comes with new sills and rockers included the engine was free and started with new gas and cleaning of the float bowls showing 60 psi of oil pressure at cold idle. Great restoration candidate of the last year of the big Healey. Call us for more information at 203-488-6333.

04/22/2021

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1962-jaguar-mk-ii-19/

Want to tour in style? Here's your chance!

Bid for the chance to own a 1962 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #47,030.

04/22/2020

Shakedown run in the Lea Francis 2 1/2 litre. Just once around the block to confirm everything is working properly.

08/14/2019

The moment of truth for the Lea Francis 2 1/2 litre. Open exhaust so it’s a bit noisy but fired right up!

06/19/2019

Pre-season service on a 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 litre. Changing the oil in the gearbox. There is nothing petite or delicate about these cars which is why they just keep going...

02/24/2019

One of the biggest issues with older cars is caused by the smallest of pests, mice. Even when stored in a garage they will find a way in and the resulting damage can be time consuming and expensive to fix. This is a heater box from a 1966 Impala that had been stored indoors for many years. A shop vac full of material they scavenged from the seats and used to fill the heater box. Even after it is vacuumed out the smell remains. Thorough washing with hot soapy water then media blasting and repainting followed by fitting screen to the ducts to keep them from getting back in.

12/29/2018

Made up new oil feed lines today, the original ones were bent up and choked with ancient residue. Starting to look like a real engine.

12/28/2018

After several unsuccessful tries at installing suitable shell bearings for the Lea Francis 2.5 litre connecting rods we reverted to having them babbited as original. Thanks to Shawn Aldrich at Aldrich Engine for pouring them. Final fitted to the crank, pistons in and head on. Set cam timing and valves, just a few more ancillaries to install and it will be ready to go. Good to be making progress on this unusual and interesting engine.