Just bought a 1972 Bristol 411 Series 3

[hesketh786]

Dear all,

I hope I find you all well.

Last friday I became the new owner of 1972 Bristol 411 s3 in need of full restoration.

the number plate is - NMP 83L

A question please if anyone can assist -

Do the doors, boot and other body parts (wings) of a 411 S4 fit a 411 S3 ?

I know the rear lights are different is that all ?

thanks

Hass

[Stereophonie]

Hello!

Congratulations on your new Bristol! I wish you a fast restoration without surprises! Sorry that I do not have any information on the doors.

I just found it remarkable that in January this year I have purchased a Bristol 411 Series III 1972 with almost the same the numberplate:

NMP 85L

What a nice concidence! (Or I do not know enough about the British licensing system...)

Best regards,

Bert

[Xseries]

In the 1970s Bristol cars were often registered in small batches so there are adjacent numbers. NMP 82 83 85 and 87 L were all used. It could be that 84 and 86 were also originally used by Bristol, but if those cars were exported or re-registered with a different plate then the records are not readily traceable.

The later cars (603 etc) were not built in sufficient numbers to be registered in batches - though there might be the odd exception.

Back in the 1970s the letters MP denoted a car registered in Greater London (as were most Bristols given that was where the showroom was). The first letter was in sequence up to number 999 when the next letter would be used (not O as it could be confused with 0) - PMP then RMP etc. The L denoted a plate issued between August 1972 and July 1973 when M was used for the following 12 months.

Brian

[hesketh786]

Hello all !

I hope you are all keeping well.

Work has started on the 411s3 after many of the other projects are now coming to an end.

The bodywork is being pulled out see pics..

But also removed the heads and the engine is in a very sorry state unfortunately.

Does anyone know where i can this engine rebuilt in the UK or know of a engine replacement for sale ?

Thanks again

hass

[Philip]

There’s nothing complicated about the engine, any competent rebuilder could do it.

Is the bottom of the A-pillar where it should be? When I went to look at it, the driver’s door seemed to have moved backwards.

[hesketh786]

Yes you are very correct.

We have chosen to now rebuild the engine.

Do you know of any uk rebuild kits for the 383 v8 ?

I haven't seen the car for approx 2 years now, but i will get my bodyshop to double check the measurements and amend if wrong.

best
h

[Kevin H]

You're probably better off buying everything from the US. The biggest challenge will be deciding between all the upgrades that are available!

Here's a couple of starting points;
https://www.manciniracing.com/bengineparts.html
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...-size/6-3l-383

However there are many sources. Just google 'mopar 383 engine parts'

Just be aware that non of the after market exhaust manifolds are likely to fit, so plan on using the original manifolds that came with your 411. They are perfectly capable manifolds.

[hesketh786]

Dear Kevin,

Thanks for the reply and informative links.

I have found this : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115729013...mis&media=COPY

The seller is also based in the U.K. which speeds up the process !

Would this suitable ?

Thanks
H

[DODD]

I can recommend a company not too far from you near Stoke-on-Trent.

The company is:-
Chase Engines Ltd
Telephone No. 01782 834322
Contact. Sean Hooker

I first used Chase Engines a few years ago to refurbish the cylinder heads on my 410. Since then, they have done a few other small jobs for me not specifically related to engines but more recently, I gave them the engine from my Series 3 E-Type Jaguar, which as you know is a V12 for a complete rebuild.

Once the engine had been stripped and rebuilt, they had it bench tested for me and run up to temperature.

The engine test was successful, with excellent oil pressure etc. In fact I was present at the bench testing and have a video of the event for the history file.

I took delivery of my engine at the beginning of last month.

I would have no hesitation in using this company again but as they say; do your own research first.

Oh, one last small point. If you look on their website you will notice a typo in the description of my Bristol!

Brian

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by hesketh786

I have found this : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115729013...mis&media=COPY

The seller is also based in the U.K. which speeds up the process !

Would this suitable ?

Dear Hesketh,

I can't comment on that kit on Ebay. It looks like it originated from Martin Robey who is a well known Jensen specialist, and Jensen's also use the Chrysler 383.

If I were you the first thing I would do is get that block stripped down and establish exactly what parts are required (including what size the bores will be). I'd then talk to a company such as Mancini or Summit Racing to find out what the options are. There are multiple after market manufacturers of all almost all the parts you will require and some are better than others. A company who specialises in Mopar parts will be able to give you some guidance depending on what outcome you are aiming for and what your budget is. There's going to be some work to do before you start re-assembling the engine so there's no rush to buy the parts. If they take an extra week or two for the parts to come from the US it's not going to make much difference.


Regards,
Kevin

[peasantslife]

I suggest V8 Dave (Gulliver) just outside Nuneaton, all he does is american V8's. Strokers are no problem. For my particular job he sourced all we needed through Peter Knight who is very well known in the euopean sphere for anything racing with a yank motor.

[AndrewA]

Happy Easter!
Agree with all the above.
Might be easier to get the engine and gearbox done by the same people and in the same place - just a thought - that way if there's a problem with either it's down to one outfit.
Also it'd be handy if they have an engine and a gearbox dyno (although few places seem to have the gearbox dyno) so they can run them up before they go in the car.
Have heard good reports of this place but never used them https://www.stubbsracingengines.co.uk/
Probably worth going to have a look at a few places and see who impresses you /who you get on with.
I'd get on with it as these things seem to have a long lead time in my experience.
You have many cars/restorations on the go at the same time - do you have plan or just trying to do them all at the same time?
Mine are just sat idle at the moment - waiting for minor parts from the States that are taking an age to turn up.
Cheers
Andrew

[hesketh786]

Good evening all,

A few pictures below of whats been going on the past few weeks.

Engine stripped.
Heads are cleaned and been checked for tolerances and seats have been recut.
No valves were salvageable so ordered a full set from Martin Robey which fit like a glove.
EngineTech engine rebuild kit with all gaskets has been ordered and delivered.

Body work is also looking great and now looks like a 411s3 !

Will post pics of bodywork tomorrow.

best,
H

[AndrewA]

Looking good and can see you're not hanging about.
Bring on the bodywork piccies please !
All the best
Andrew

[hesketh786]

Thank you Andrew !

Indeed yes, full speed ahead !

Attached are a few bodywork progress pictures.

Best

Hass

[dwomby]

Definitely seeing a huge improvement. Very impressed.

David

[hesketh786]

Thank you very much David !

Yes, indeed the boys are working very hard on it !

best

Hass

[AndrewA]

Looking much happier!
Are these the same gents that do the bodywork for all your cars?
Best
Andrew

[hesketh786]

Sorry for the late reply Andrew !

And yes indeed the same people for bodywork and engine rebuild !

makes it easier, some more new pics of the progress below.

Hope you are well sir,

Best

h

[peter dowdle]

Hass

It appears from the photos that they removed the motor without taking the gearbox out. Is this infact correct ? Was there any special tricks to doing that ?

Peter Dowdle