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Hey dudes, I might be getting a Herald convertible in the near future, I am a J car guy (Datsun/Nissan to be specific) and don't know hardly anything about these pom cars. Here are my questions- 1. To turn the car on do I just put the key in the ignition and turn it (like with a normal modernish car), or is there something else I should do as well? 2. I would like to swap the convertible roof out and put on a coupe roof. Will I need extra parts? Where can I get a coupe roof? how much do they cost? (I live in Australia btw) 3. I would like to run some negative front camber. Is this possible? Are there parts I can get to modify this? Is there adjustable suspension parts available? 4. Lowering block for the rear. How much and where from? 5. Can I put a swaybar on the rear suspension? also how much and where from? 6. If it has the twin carb setup can I replace the airbox with bell mouths instead? (race car styles) 7. Can I convert the PCD to 4x114.3 or anything else? 8. Can I run 14x8 wheels? What is the widest I can go with these cars? (I like width and dish  ) What other modifications can you reccomend for the car? Thankyou to anyone who can help  |
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,840
Club RR Member Number: 174
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MrSpeedy on her has 13x8 or 9 steelies on his vitesse but that's running arch extensions. I've seen one on 13x7 banded steels and they were a tight fit.
You can't start the car until you have donned a flat cap, scarf and string back gloves due to some sort of voodoo magic 60s classic British cars possess.
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A genuine coupe steel roof would leave a gap between the lower edge and bodywork as the opening is smaller than the convertible. So simple answer is a genuine coupe top won't fit properly without either "stretching the top" or narrowing the bodywork opening. Best if you simply find a coupe style fibreglass hardtop instead.
Paul H
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Really? Yeah I might have to try to get a fibreglass roof. Don't have a clue where to get one from though.
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Apr 11, 2012 10:29:14 GMT
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 7x13 I think.  |
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Apr 11, 2012 11:21:52 GMT
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Woah those rears look curse word hot! So they would be like 13x7-20 or something? depending on the original wheel offset.
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786 
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Apr 11, 2012 12:08:12 GMT
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Hey dudes, I might be getting a Herald convertible in the near future, I am a J car guy (Datsun/Nissan to be specific) and don't know hardly anything about these pom cars. Here are my questions- 1. To turn the car on do I just put the key in the ignition and turn it (like with a normal modernish car), or is there something else I should do as well? 2. I would like to swap the convertible roof out and put on a coupe roof. Will I need extra parts? Where can I get a coupe roof? how much do they cost? (I live in Australia btw) 3. I would like to run some negative front camber. Is this possible? Are there parts I can get to modify this? Is there adjustable suspension parts available? 4. Lowering block for the rear. How much and where from? 5. Can I put a swaybar on the rear suspension? also how much and where from? 6. If it has the twin carb setup can I replace the airbox with bell mouths instead? (race car styles) 7. Can I convert the PCD to 4x114.3 or anything else? 8. Can I run 14x8 wheels? What is the widest I can go with these cars? (I like width and dish ) What other modifications can you reccomend for the car? Thankyou to anyone who can help As already said, the rear deck panel is different for the convertable, coupe and saloon, so you either need a conversion roof or to swap the rear deck! Negative front camber can be added by fitting thicker shims between the wishbone mounting brackets and the chassis. Obviously this will also widen the track by the same amount. You could also make new top wishbones if you feel so inclined Lowering block for the rear is around £20. You'll also need longer studs to fit it. It's a really simple block of Ali, so you may be able to get one machined over there There are rear anti roll bar (as we call it over here  ) kits available, tho they have mixed reviews. The best option would be to swap the rear spring mount for one off a late Spitfire (1972 onwards IIRC) which has the centre of the spring mounted on a pivot rather than clamped hard to the diff. This will improve the rear handling and reduce 'wheel tuck' If you really wanted to go the whole hog, ou could fit the rear Rotoflex IRS from a MK2 Vitesse or GT6, but there's a bit more involved with that one There is little clearance between the carbs and inner front wings, so you'll only be able to use short bells. I only jst had room to run standard K&N's on the previous engine Possiblely the simplest way to convert PCD on these is to use bolt on wheel adaptors. I made and fitted a set some 12 years ago to my old Sprintfire to allow me to fit 4 x 100 ET 50 wheels which opened up the choice immensely You won't get 14" x 8" under standard arches with standard suspension/axles. I used to have 13 x 6 with 185/60 tyres and they needed the rear arches pulling slightly to reduce rubbing. Currently I have 13 x 8 on the rear and 13 x 7 on the front as Stealthstylz says, but i have arch extensions! Due to the 'meccano' build style, there's not much you can't do to them tbh Self whoring pic   And some more inspiration   |
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Apr 11, 2012 12:18:52 GMT
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1. To turn the car on do I just put the key in the ignition and turn it (like with a normal modernish car), or is there something else I should do as well? Depends on the weather. If it is cold you will need to use the choke, how cold and how much choke is a learning process of how to use the car. You will probably need a blip on the throttle to get it to catch, but don't go wild else you run the risk of flooding the engine... You also need to pray the electrics are working. 2. I would like to swap the convertible roof out and put on a coupe roof. Will I need extra parts? Where can I get a coupe roof? how much do they cost? (I live in Australia btw) Answered above :-D 3. I would like to run some negative front camber. Is this possible? Are there parts I can get to modify this? Is there adjustable suspension parts available? I'm not totally up on Heralds but I imagine Yes, Yes, Ye are the answers here... with classic cars you can pretty much do any modification you like :-D try www.rimmerbros.co.uk4. Lowering block for the rear. How much and where from? www.rimmerbros.co.uk5. Can I put a swaybar on the rear suspension? also how much and where from? Not sure, try www.rimmerbros.co.uk6. If it has the twin carb setup can I replace the airbox with bell mouths instead? (race car styles) Yes, but don't forget for a road car it is always better to have filters of some sort :-) 7. Can I convert the PCD to 4x114.3 or anything else? Probably not, what advantage are you hoping to gain? There are plenty of wheels available already... 8. Can I run 14x8 wheels? What is the widest I can go with these cars? (I like width and dish ) See photos above :-D :-D |
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Apr 11, 2012 12:22:49 GMT
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fail, internet died halfway through my post... MrSpeedy 's answer is much better...
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Apr 11, 2012 13:06:36 GMT
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Thanks heaps guys! MrSpeedy, your car looks HEAPS Rad! love it! I have a question though, what about the wheels on the cars rmad posted? They must be 7's right? Also, I would like to run minilites in 13 or 14x7. So these wouldn't fit? |
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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Apr 11, 2012 14:40:22 GMT
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Thanks I would imagine the wheels Rmad posted are 7's at most, knowing how tight it is under the rear arches. With 14's you may struggle to get the side wall on the tyres to pull in enough to clear the arch because, as you can see the wheels tuck up inside the panel work a little which is why I ended up with extensions and chopped bodywork! You can gain about 1/2" - 3/4" by cutting off the return flange inside the arch and welding the panels together |
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,514
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Apr 11, 2012 20:31:24 GMT
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If you were to fit the swing spring set up to the rear as MrSpeedy suggests then I understand you also need to fit a stiffer front anti-roll bar. A bit of lowering (block or spring de-cambering) and good shocks make a massive difference to the handling in my experience.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Apr 11, 2012 20:54:32 GMT
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How on earth did you get 7s under standard arches? I had 5.5s with 185s and they used to rub like crazy.
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Koos
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It's the wheel offsets man. That's how people into$ J cars can get such crazy wheels on their cars, its tricky stuff but worth learning. Then theres brake clearence and stuff to consider too. eg   Of course flares help a bit |
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)
) kits available, tho they have mixed reviews. The best option would be to swap the rear spring mount for one off a late Spitfire (1972 onwards IIRC) which has the centre of the spring mounted on a pivot rather than clamped hard to the diff. This will improve the rear handling and reduce 'wheel tuck' If you really wanted to go the whole hog, ou could fit the rear Rotoflex IRS from a MK2 Vitesse or GT6, but there's a bit more involved with that one 
