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> Jensen Healey & Jensen GT Tech > Miscellaneous > What to Look For and Look Out For in an Early 1973 MkI? |
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> Jensen Healey & Jensen GT Tech > Miscellaneous > What to Look For and Look Out For in an Early 1973 MkI? |
| Moderated by: Greg Fletcher |
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| What to Look For and Look Out For in an Early 1973 MkI? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: 10-30-2021 01:10 pm |
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1st Post |
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WhatsUpDOHC Member 
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Good morning JHPS! Now, I'm looking at a very clean, no/little rust MkI. Built in mid-February of 73. I'm not sure what engine and other work have been done to mitigate oil leaks and other early production issues and wonder if there are external clues and things to look for to see if the oil leakage and other issues have been addressed. Any experiences or recommendations that you have are highly appreciated. Thanks again, Mark
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| Posted: 10-30-2021 07:25 pm |
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2nd Post |
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noomg Member
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Mark, It's your call of course, but unless it's really close, or really cheap, or has the engine mods you want I'd keep looking. IMO the early cars had a cheap looking plastic interior, the rear seal on the motor was a rope seal and had a tendency to leak and while it has the more desirable steel bumpers it also has the 4sp. That said they're all Jensen-Healeys and they're all fun.
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| Posted: 11-01-2021 08:51 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Esprit2 Member
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Mark, For either the early Mk-I, or the later Mk-II, one thing is for sure... they're now all 'old'. How good or bad an example is now, and how leak-free, is going to be a function of how well it has been maintained through the last (almost) 49 years. Original build quality or 'issues' is less of a factor compared to how well it has been cared for. A Mk-1 that has been well cared for could very well be better than a later Mk-II that has been 'maintenance-ignored'. Having said that, you mention oil leaks, so I presume that's a higher concern for you. If that's the case, then consider that the early Mk-I engines did have an 'old-school' ('old' even back in the day) 'rope' style rear main seal. As was-is typical of that early type of seal, it's going to be more likely to develop oil leaks than the later Mk-II's 'lip' style of rear main seal. And it's not a matter of simply installing the later style lip seal into an early Mk-I engine. The back end of the Mk-II cylinder block was re-designed with specific features to accept the lip seal. Those features do not exist on a Mk-I block, so converting to a later lip seal is not a simple, bolt-on task. Well cared for, both the Mk-I and Mk-II can be reliable cars with minimal problems. However, if parked and ignored until the stray day when you want to take a nice top-down drive, then all the issues you may have heard about can happen. 'Maintenance-free' cars are a modern myth... like Unicorns, they dont' exist. Vintage cars, both foreign and Detroit iron, require regular maintenance, and are not to be ignored. So, what's your planned role in the relationship going forward? That answer may have more to do with whether this Feb '73 Mk-I is for you. You don't need to tell us, just have an honest conversation with a mirror. Regards, Tim Engel
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| Posted: 11-02-2021 03:48 pm |
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4th Post |
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noomg Member
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Mark, All good stuff from Tim, one of the go to guys on this board. I wouldn't be overly concerned about small oil leaks it is British after all. What's most important with LBCs is rust. Find a nice clean relatively rust free car and the rest will take care of itself. The good thing is you're still looking. Keep looking, be patient, see as many cars as you can it will help you define exactly what you're looking for in a Jensen-Healey.
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| Posted: 11-03-2021 12:29 am |
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5th Post |
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WhatsUpDOHC Member
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Thanks for all the suggestions and support everyone! I really appreciate your responses. I've been speaking with the owners of a 1973 Mk 1 that has original paint and from what I can tell very minimal rust (solid floorpans and trunk. No rot or bubbling in the wheel wells or rockers). Also, the engine is built with cams (unsure which at this point) and an aftermarket header. I'm not sure what else has been done to the engine. The previous owner kept good notes, I'm told but no receipts. Also has sway bars. On Saturday, I have a video conference with a local British car specialist where he will put it up on his lift and we will take a very close look at it. The same mechanic worked on it very recently and said that it ran very well and that he didn't remember any rust or excessive leaks. I have a laundry list of things that I want to check. The compression/leak down scope the cylinders, read the previous owner's notes etc etc etc. I hope to report good news after Saturday. Thanks again, Mark
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