1961 Warwick GT

Post your car-related project and restoration stories here!
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

Fifty Six MGA wrote:Welding, mechanics, fiberglass and sewing. The breadth of your skill is impressive Dean. Seriously.
Thanks for the kind words... To keep perspective - the Warwick does not run. It did.

I choose to spend two days staying dry working on floor mats vs taking out the transmission and fixing the real issue.

I have many shortcomings. I can't cut mirrors or any expensive glass, refuse to drywall and have mental issues when it comes to "special" dates or the washing machine- ask my wife. I am confounded by the simplest of hydraulic circuits - ask Larry. And Steve recently learned that I know less than nothing about machining.

It's just a miracle that the likes of Malcom, Dave(s) and Martin(s) put up with my questions and tolerate my scattered attention span.

Dean
DaveC
Active Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:38 am
Vehicles Owned: 59 Peerless GT
63 Morgan Plus4
Location: Santa Monica, CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by DaveC »

When i got the Peerless it was leaking like a sieve between the 'box and the OD, specifically on the 'box side of the adapter plate. The clutch still had life on it, but i changed everything out - plate, pressure plate, bearing, slave and 'box mount.

That was a while ago, but I haven't got around to pulling the engine yet. I need to get the rear seal changed i think.

Inspiring? I think everyone here would agree that you hold the monopoly on that!

dave
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

I just couldn't let the new lift go unused, so out with the Warwick transmission/OD. The photos shows it is in pieces along with the remains of the TR3 non-overdrive gearbox.

So here is what I learned after taking it apart.

The Warwick bellhousing is badly cracked, with repair welds started in most directions and JB weld for an oversized plug. I am guessing that the cracks just continued after the welding was completed. I am going to move over all the good parts into the Peerless case and salvage the OD from the Warwick.

When I lay both the Peerless and Warwick clutch fork shafts side by side, it is clear that the Warwick shaft is at a 1/2" to 3/4" mechanical disadvantage. I thought the pin was broken, but instead it looks like the throwout arm is pinned in the wrong location. It looks newer than the rest of the components, so I'll bet it was a poor remake. I'll use the Peerless shaft.

All the balk rings are worn beyond spec. (.008 measured vs .036 desired).

First gear (non-synchro) was a little more used in the Warwick vs the Peerless, so the Peerless gear gets transferred over.

Input shaft main bearing and center bearings are noisy. Roll pin shaft bearings are excellent.

I'll try to post a few more detailed shots once I get the new parts, so you can see the side by side comparison.

The clutch and pressure plate are like new. Flywheel is good.

The release bearing is from a TR4 and should not have been used.

I am looking forward to a quiet easy to shift car.

Dean
Attachments
Transmission.jpg
Transmission.jpg (117.34 KiB) Viewed 17363 times
Last edited by HealeyBN7 on Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

Here is a close up of the transmission case. You can see the cracks that were chased by welding. The welds go completely around the case.
Cracked Bellhousing.jpg
Cracked Bellhousing.jpg (109.4 KiB) Viewed 17345 times
Here in this picture you can see where the welds stop, yet the cracks continue.
Welded yet cracked.jpg
Welded yet cracked.jpg (117.46 KiB) Viewed 17345 times
A pile of new parts arrived. What is not the photo are new main and center bearings. I returned the Moss (Korean) bearings for Austrian bearings that I picked up from A&P in the Valley at twice the price. I might have over reacted to the Korean bearings, but the new ones do feel nice.
New Trans Parts.jpg
New Trans Parts.jpg (123.03 KiB) Viewed 17345 times
It didn't take long to clean up the Peerless gearbox, inspect the gears, replace the balk rings and press on new bearings. Thankfully there are a couple well written guides that walk the non-transmission specialist through the tricks needed to reassemble the box. A big press and a gear puller are required tools, but not much else. It wasn't too hard and doesn't it look nice?
Trans assembled.jpg
Trans assembled.jpg (126.14 KiB) Viewed 17345 times
What you don't see is the OD unit with new seals. Next I'll mate them together and sort out the clutch. Hope to have it back together sometime tomorrow and full of fluid. That doesn't mean the car will be roadworthy tomorrow. I decided to rebuild the starter, replace the exhaust and it would be nice to finish the carpet replacement.....while I am in there.

Dean
User avatar
tannyo
Veteran Member
Posts: 1057
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1967 MGB GT
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Contact:

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by tannyo »

Might as well, "while you're in there". You're so funny.
User avatar
Larry Kluss
Veteran Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:28 pm
Vehicles Owned: -
1967 MGB (Works tribute)
1968 E-type Jaguar FHC
1974 Chevy Nova SS (faux)
2000 Ford Ranger XLT
2008 Jaguar XJ L
Location: Conejo Valley

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by Larry Kluss »

Do you know if the welded case was a result of the accident the original donor TR3 suffered?

Do you want to do the E-type trans for me next...including engine extraction? :devil:
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

According to Brian the welded case was indeed a result of the TR3 accident. Unfortunately it is just not serviceable. The replacement case carries the same casting number, so a minimal amount is lost in originality. One big change is the clutch fork that is correct for the TR3 and now slides nicely through the bell housing.

Before soliciting trans rebuild services you might want to see if I have successfully put it back together :)

It took two hours today just to mate the trans to the OD. It is a beeeeep of a job to line up the OD splines. Thought I had it four or five times, but it was just not close enough. Finally perfected the mating just about the time I was ready to build a shipping box. I think I could do it faster next time, but I am hoping that is a long ways off.

Not sure if I'll make it to Woodley in the Warwick this year.

Happy Easter.

Dean
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

Well, I got a chance to practice mating the OD to the trans again. I filled the trans with a quart of fluid on the bench a couple nights ago and sure enough there were drips. It was hard to keep oil away from the mating surfaces. I suspected it was contaminated, but I also found that the new case had a casting ridge that might have kept the mated surfaces apart.

Tackled the burr with a file and mated the OD again. Hope it works this time.

I also installed the new shift fork and hardened fork pin. Some of the TR3 forums warn that that OEM shift fork pin is weak and prone to failure. I wasn't a hardened believer that those old British engineers would design and install a soft pin, but Moss sells a "hard" one.

In this photo you can see the pin for yourself. It is both worn and broken. I am lucky that is didn't completely separate as extraction is complicated with a broken pin and sometimes involves sacrificing the cross shaft.
IMG_20140421_200022.jpg
IMG_20140421_200022.jpg (60.84 KiB) Viewed 17308 times
Needs less to say with Easter fun, the trans is still on the bench. The clutch is installed and a new pilot bushing is ready for the input shaft. Thought you might enjoy this photo of Donna preparing an Easter salad while finished up the ring gear installation.

Image

Dean
Last edited by HealeyBN7 on Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:06 pm, edited 3 times in total.
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by Steve Simmons »

You should get enough recycling money from the old case to buy us all pizza.
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

Colin Ham, who's father was the Chairman of the Board for the Warwick company, found some 8mm film footage that he took following his dad around the race circuits in England.

Here is the youtube link to the footage shot by Colin.

https://youtu.be/RZR4BHJdETg

There are clips from Mallory Park, Snetterton, Rufforth and Branch Hatch. Colin has helped me identify the cars, drivers and locations.

Warwick V8 1688MC (Snetterton - Driven by R. Ham, Coliin's father)

Warwick TR 75RBH (Snetterton - driven by Bernie Rogers, Warwick Chief Engineer)

Warwick TR (Snetterton - Tunex car driven by Simon Hill,)

The Tunex engined Warwick 697UPA (Dual SUs as raced at Rufforth was then wrecked on a country road on the way home. Simon Hill R. Ham and Bernie Rogers examine the wreckage. Neither Simon or Bernie were driving)

There are also shots of the Tunex engine now in a new Warwick (at Brands hatch now with Twin Choke SUs)

Brian Shires Warwick - 872 BLU (track side at Rufforth)

There are shots of the factory and factory workers.

There are shots of the Tunex engine that eventually ended up in Warwick 872 BLU.

Enjoy,

Dean
Attachments
Snetterton Park.  R. Ham driving the V8 Warwick (#109) and Bernie Rodgers driving the TR Warwick (92)
Snetterton Park. R. Ham driving the V8 Warwick (#109) and Bernie Rodgers driving the TR Warwick (92)
Capture17.JPG (35.88 KiB) Viewed 16063 times
This the Tunex race engine.  Colin recalls that they could only afford one Tunex race motor, so it was moved around until it eventually was sold off in Warwick 872 BLU
This the Tunex race engine. Colin recalls that they could only afford one Tunex race motor, so it was moved around until it eventually was sold off in Warwick 872 BLU
If you recall Brian spoke about taking the blue Warwick 872 BLU on the track. Since we believe there is only one ICI Healey Blue Warwick GT, this is possibly the car trackside
If you recall Brian spoke about taking the blue Warwick 872 BLU on the track. Since we believe there is only one ICI Healey Blue Warwick GT, this is possibly the car trackside
Capture27.JPG (25.88 KiB) Viewed 16063 times
Simon Hill drove Tunex Warwick 697 UPA at Rufforth before the crash on the way home
Simon Hill drove Tunex Warwick 697 UPA at Rufforth before the crash on the way home
Capture23.JPG (24.48 KiB) Viewed 16063 times
TR powered  Warwick and a Healey
TR powered Warwick and a Healey
Capture20.JPG (29.99 KiB) Viewed 16063 times
Snetterton GT race with the V8 Warwick in pole position.  Winner of the Bardahl trophy for saloon cars.  Driven by Colin father.
Snetterton GT race with the V8 Warwick in pole position. Winner of the Bardahl trophy for saloon cars. Driven by Colin father.
Capture19.JPG (29.79 KiB) Viewed 16063 times
Le Mans start at Snetterton...kaos
Le Mans start at Snetterton...kaos
User avatar
whitebuffalo
Core Member
Posts: 453
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:57 am
Vehicles Owned: 1973 Morris Marina (Morri)
1971 Morris Mini (Kiwi)
1967 Sunbeam Stiletto (Banjo)
1965 Lotus 7 (Westfield) (Westie)
Location: Lancaster, Ca
Contact:

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by whitebuffalo »

Fantastic old footage. Seeing those cars racing is exciting. Drifting around the turns and some fantastic footage of the Warwicks and in color no less.
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by Steve Simmons »

That's pure gold. What a historical treasure you've uncovered there. I bet no one else on the planet has Warwick racing footage like that. I kept wishing there was sound though!

You know, that wrecked Warwick would have been an easier project than the Peerless you're working on. :devil:

Pretty easy to see what happened. On the way home from a race, too fast into a blind corner only to discover that it dropped off. Sliding to the right we go!
User avatar
HealeyBN7
Core Member
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1959 Peerless GT
1960 Austin Healey 3000
1961 Warwick GT
1971 Lotus Europa
1995 Range Rover
Location: Not Thousand Oaks CA

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by HealeyBN7 »

So if you look really closely there are some notable race cars in the surrounding shots. I was familiar with Healey DD300 and thought I recognized it when the Warwick Gt passed by on the way to the paddock.

Here is a recent Moss article.

http://www.mossmotoring.com/mr-big-healey-john-chatham/

And after playing around with the contrast and lighting of the digital image you can read the registration number...
Attachments
1-Image14.jpg
User avatar
Larry Kluss
Veteran Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:28 pm
Vehicles Owned: -
1967 MGB (Works tribute)
1968 E-type Jaguar FHC
1974 Chevy Nova SS (faux)
2000 Ford Ranger XLT
2008 Jaguar XJ L
Location: Conejo Valley

Re: 1961 Warwick GT

Post by Larry Kluss »

Great historic footage! Thanks for sharing. Fun to see the cameo shot of your actual car in there, too :)
Post Reply