We’re set to do some freshening on an Austin Healey that was restored somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 years ago.  Maintenance items include securing a banging exhaust, flushing the brake lines and replacing the fluid, replacing the oil with Brad Penn oil that contains ZDDP, pondering the pros and cons of electronic ignition, adjusting the valves, and checking the suspension and greasing the tie rods.

I’d like to elaborate on the Brad Penn oil (full disclosure: we sell it).  Years ago, most oils had zinc in them.  Some current oils don’t, which doesn’t have much effect on newer engines.  But, in old engines with flat tappets, the zinc protects the tappets from wear.

We see it as cheap insurance and that’s why we use it.  Stay tuned as we log improvements on the Healey.