SP and six packs

[kenny38]

I have an SP (featured in R. Calver's book (All The Models) and since an engine rebuild 22 years ago (practically new motor) I have been running a 4 barrel Holley 770.
The rebuilders threw away the 6pack as was "stuffed and anyway only real classics like Dodge should use them" that was 22 years ago with now 96K from all zeros.
My question to the hexperts is should I refit a 6 pack and is there a practical benefit? The SP runs like a new car with a lot of grunt as the then rebuilder told me he "bored her out a bit" and fitted new pistons. My wife wants me sell in the current market and buy a "reasonable car" What would you or Putin do? How much would it cost approx. I am nearly 78 and my much younger wife tells me to "grow up" kenny38

[Richie]

ignoring the virtues of a six pack set up...

surely selling is a no no? What would you do with the money? 4 barrelled or 6, either way enjoy it will you can Kenny...

[Chris_R]

I am nearly 78 and my much younger wife tells me to "grow up" kenny38

Getting older is unavoidable. Growing up is optional.
I can't comment on 4 versus 6 barrels but stick with your Jensen if you enjoy it. You will not enjoy "a reasonable car" and if you sell, you will probably regret it.

[Grant]

I have an SP (featured in R. Calver's book (All The Models) and since an engine rebuild 22 years ago (practically new motor) I have been running a 4 barrel Holley 770.
The rebuilders threw away the 6pack as was "stuffed and anyway only real classics like Dodge should use them" that was 22 years ago with now 96K from all zeros.
My question to the hexperts is should I refit a 6 pack and is there a practical benefit? The SP runs like a new car with a lot of grunt as the then rebuilder told me he "bored her out a bit" and fitted new pistons. My wife wants me sell in the current market and buy a "reasonable car" What would you or Putin do? How much would it cost approx. I am nearly 78 and my much younger wife tells me to "grow up" kenny38

Kenny, when I was 18yrs old I bought my 1st Interceptor, see pic below, I sold it after 2 years and then they went through the roof in cost, I kicked myself and vowed "I would never sell anything again, now I am here on a 3 acre Farm with out buildings full of cars, motorbikes and wooden speed boats, it's all too much, but i dont regret not selling anything still, dont do it, we only live once and as others have said... if you enjoy it keep it, women dont understand "the passion for cars", its something that seems to stay in you from a kid right through.. well I am 50 now and I still love them as much as I did when I was a nipper.... if you havn't tried a Six pack on it and you are 78, then why not do it, I dont think you will regret it, I bought a 6 pack set up for our convertible.. mind you I havnt put it on yet, but just having it thrills me enough .. pics below... do it while your still young enough Kenny
Grant

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[Frankoid]

All the girls like a six pack so im told....Tell her you misunderstood and rather than go to the gym and work out you got the Jensen SP its own six-pack....

[R.D. Sigi Herring]

I've just bought an SP.....but it runs a new Edelbrock.
I've still got a stroked Inter III and rebuilding a S4.
The SP is both an investment ....and my 'forever' car.
I love it....and I bet you love yours otherwise you wouldn't ask.
So....
2x things occur to me.

1-You can't grow up....not at your age, so don't worry about it.
2-The Holley works, and always will, so spend the money saved not buying a SixPack (£3000...?) on a 'reasonable' car for the missus.

1x stone....2x birds.
Good luck.

[kenny38]

Hi Grant. That was a seriously good looking car. The poseurs standing by fade in comparison. We all looked like that once. Slim and lovely. Is that your current missus? The pics of the 6 pack did some thing for me that I haven't had for a while. Do you know if she (the Jensen) still exists? kenny38

[Grant]

Hi Grant. That was a seriously good looking car. The poseurs standing by fade in comparison. We all looked like that once. Slim and lovely. Is that your current missus? The pics of the 6 pack did some thing for me that I haven't had for a while. Do you know if she (the Jensen) still exists? kenny38

Hi Mike
That is my sister standing beside me there, ... the car ... NO sadly it doesnt, the is a chap who comes on here called Frankoid, he contacted me and said he had owned the car a couple of owners later after me but sadly it got caught up in a garage fire ...
Yes the six pack setup's do look so good just in thier own right dont they, the set I have put together there are fully mechanical and adjustable, the origianl set up that would have been on your car would have worked slightly different, the car would run on the cnetre carb for most of the time and the 2 x outboard carbs/secondries as they are called begin to operate on a Vacum basis.. the engines intake causes the vacum that then brings in the outboard carbs, sometimes they come into action whilst going up a hill for example and that isnt adjustable, but I wanted mine slightly different and fully adjustable.
Thank you for your kind words Kenny
I am sending you a personal message now, you can read it by clicking on where it say's (1 new message) just below "Board Index", you can also then click to reply
All the best Kenny
Grant

[Frankoid]

Sad about the black car... It was alright when I passed it on after a few years of happy ownership - shame what happened later

[bkbridges]

If putting the car back into its true SP form is feasible, Id do it. Just my .02. You may need a specialist for the final adjustments so Id set that up ahead of time!

[Dino Fritz]

Kenny,

Okay, here's some back of envelope calculations from some of the US Mopar dealers (Herbs Parts, Mancini Racing, Jegs, etc.).

It looks like all of the parts are available new, so that's the good news for you, but it adds up to around USD$3,200 (around AUD $4,570), then add in freight and GST and you'd be up for around AUD$5,500 (hmmm.........for the extra $1,000 freight and GST, book a flight over to the US, buy them yourself and bring them over as hand luggage, and enjoy a holiday!). But I digress.

Agree 100% with Bruce though, find someone who really knows how to set them up add (another AUD $1,000 to fit and tune). This is the really tricky part, and I remember my brother telling me how hard it was to setup the triple weber carb setups without the correct tools. He used to tell me stories of the "Italian tune-ups" he used to do with Alfa's, etc. with multiple carbys - customer would complain of the ride, they'd take them out on the freeway to really give 'em a good hiding for 30 minutes, and they were right as rain. I'd be interested to hear of the experience of SP owners to see whether they putted around town and had problems, or if they gave the car some long runs and stretched their legs every once in a while and had fewer issues?

It's a hard question you ask Kenny - do you take advantage of the high market and sell the car now (but what the hell do you buy - a modern car with the high running costs). On the plus side, you have petrol at around $1.00 a litre, cheap registration for a car 30+ years old, and (hopefully) a car that you can service, tune and work on yourself. My wife's VW Jetta costs me nearly $1,000 in registration, around the same insurance cost at the Jensen, and I'm paying $600 per annum for servicing.

Alternatively, do you just save the $6,500 (meh, you could buy the parts new at any time - maybe if the exchange rate improves???), and buy a 6 to 10 year old European car for around $10~15,000 - it's done most of its depreciation, 1/2 way through it's life (assuming 100,000 kays), and you still keep the Slow Poke.

And BTW - you are my idol - I want to be your age and be considering buying a 6 pack for my car!!!

Dino

[cannonball]

Kenny,

Okay




And BTW - you are my idol - I want to be your age and be considering buying a 6 pack for my car!!! and have va MUCH younger wife,

Dino

[bkbridges]

While 9272 is not a real SP, it does have 6 barrels. Ill never go back. You will need to find more time/excuses to drive the SP once you've converted it to the six barrel system as the fun per mile increases!

BKB

[kenny38]

One of the Jensen Australia club members has a S3 which was a bit more than warmed up a few years ago. What with high heels (big wheels) lots of " theatre" under the bonnet, very pretty too. He also had a six pack fitted. Eventually took the car back to the mechanic for a simple service and after a week or so got a call we all dread "better come and have a look at this ,mate". He got there and was told there had been a fire in the 6 pack taking out a lot of the bolt on theatre and wrecking the 6 pack. Lots of angst. Mechanic denied his fault said it was "sour" fuel in the secondaries. Wanted member to pay for a second hand Holley and clean up. He told member that if you have a six pack set up you should not let her sit for long periods as fuel goes off and can cause a fire. You should take her to a quiet place and let her rip using up and refreshing the fuel on a regular basis. Is this triple A rated gold plated B/S? The member literally cried on my shoulder when telling this story. I wasn't very concerned as he has obscene amounts of money and won't give any away. My granny wants to know if true. Kenny 38

[bkbridges]

Bad gas will hinder the performance and or keep a motor from running due to water absorption and loss of VOCs. It is less flammable than good gas. A bad mechanic will try to start a car that doesn't want to start (due to bad gas in the carbs) by pouring good gas down the carburetor throat...that can cause a fire. One of the many reasons my six pack is fuel injected... no atmospheric contact with the gasoline, keeping good gas good a lot longer!
BKB