Long ago, in 1966, as a young man I bought my first new car. A Sunbeam Tiger. What a car it was. From the first drive home that July evening it brought me so much pleasure. Then, about 5 years later, it was time to move on so I sold it with 125k miles on the odometer.
Gone, but not forgotten. Several years ago, I began dreaming of having another. They are harder to come by now and with children etc I finally decided to attempt a V6 conversion. First I bought a very nice roller from Jarrs. I started with a GM 3.1 FWD, but when I discovered one cylinder had low compression, I decided to get what I really wanted, which was the Camaro 3.4.
That was early last year. I also found a T5 on Ebay for $60 that only had one bad bearing. One thing I've learn, is that a car has a lot of parts and there were many other parts needed to buy or fabricate. The most difficulty being the exhaust system. The mounts were probably the easiest part of the project.
I removed all the EFI in favor of a carburetor. Again I found a Holly at a very good price on Ebay. I think it is a marine type. But with a new needle valve and a few gaskets it work’s perfectly. I also needed a HEI distributor. That seemed challenging to wire, but I found a great web site only to discover that it is very easy.
Of coarse with this engine I also had to remove the steering box and use a rack and pinion. Basically I followed a tech tip on a Tiger site and that has worked well.
Well finally a few weeks ago, I took it around the block. Only to realize there was more work to do. But I've been working on the bugs one by one, and today I took it to work.
It now drives wonderfully. The engine is smooth, as is the transmission. I have a slight problem with the clutch fork. It doesn't release smoothly. But still as I was driving today, I felt that it was so very similar to that Tiger I had years ago. The exhaust tone, the kick when the I hit the gas, and the solid feel that the Sunbeam has.
A dream has come true.
I hope others will persevere, as these cars are a wonderful driving experience.
Thanks for all your support. Thanks also to the fellows on the MG experience. They have excellent knowledge of the 3.4 and are eager to help.
Mike T.
Gone, but not forgotten. Several years ago, I began dreaming of having another. They are harder to come by now and with children etc I finally decided to attempt a V6 conversion. First I bought a very nice roller from Jarrs. I started with a GM 3.1 FWD, but when I discovered one cylinder had low compression, I decided to get what I really wanted, which was the Camaro 3.4.
That was early last year. I also found a T5 on Ebay for $60 that only had one bad bearing. One thing I've learn, is that a car has a lot of parts and there were many other parts needed to buy or fabricate. The most difficulty being the exhaust system. The mounts were probably the easiest part of the project.
I removed all the EFI in favor of a carburetor. Again I found a Holly at a very good price on Ebay. I think it is a marine type. But with a new needle valve and a few gaskets it work’s perfectly. I also needed a HEI distributor. That seemed challenging to wire, but I found a great web site only to discover that it is very easy.
Of coarse with this engine I also had to remove the steering box and use a rack and pinion. Basically I followed a tech tip on a Tiger site and that has worked well.
Well finally a few weeks ago, I took it around the block. Only to realize there was more work to do. But I've been working on the bugs one by one, and today I took it to work.
It now drives wonderfully. The engine is smooth, as is the transmission. I have a slight problem with the clutch fork. It doesn't release smoothly. But still as I was driving today, I felt that it was so very similar to that Tiger I had years ago. The exhaust tone, the kick when the I hit the gas, and the solid feel that the Sunbeam has.
A dream has come true.
I hope others will persevere, as these cars are a wonderful driving experience.
Thanks for all your support. Thanks also to the fellows on the MG experience. They have excellent knowledge of the 3.4 and are eager to help.
Mike T.
