Facel Vega / Jensen heads / hi torque starter

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zacmarshall
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Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 4:22 pm
Location: Bristol, UK

Facel Vega / Jensen heads / hi torque starter

Post by zacmarshall »

Can anyone help with the query I received below?

I own several Facel Vegas, one of which is a Facel 11 which has a Chrysler engine. Back in 1999, I had a major problem with the engine and took it to an American guy called Wiley at Albourne in West Sussex, near Hickstead. He was recommended by a Facel specialist called John Barton, who lived nearby but now lives in France. The long and short of it is that according to ther invoice that I paid at the time, my 383 was rebuilt as a 413, overhauled with a used head on one side as this is what had originally been damaged. Where Jensen comes in is that it has two Jensen rocker covers. The number on the head, on the left head as you look in the engine compartment, by the water pump, is P38 1125. It also seems to have an aluminium Torqueflite whereas it should have a cast iron one.

Anyway, I wonder if this is familiar to you or any of your members. I am still happy to give away these rocker covers but someone needs to take them off and put the new ones on. Does that engine number sound familiar? Did anyone get any work done by Wiley? Is there a particular high torque starter motor that Jensen recommend, that works with the ally Torqueflite? Any information gratefully received.
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Per
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Re: Facel Vega / Jensen heads / hi torque starter

Post by Per »

My only comment is that by my (at times admittedly fawlty) memory P38 indicates a 383. So at least that is correct. 1125 will possibly indicate valve sizes or was it cc of the head? Duncan, you should know?
Per
Not only English cars these days, an Italian is part of the stable again 8)
cannonball
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Re: Facel Vega / Jensen heads / hi torque starter

Post by cannonball »

Hello Per those numbers etc mean nothing to me, but if it has regular alloy Jensen valve covers then the heads are the typical type that are found on most of our Jensens not the early 4 bolt rocker box type. I am assuming this as he says Jensen covers as how else would he know unless they are the ally jobs, also yes it should have the early cast iron torqueflite it looks like it has inherited a complete Jensen 383 and its matching transmission, does he still need help some how Zac ???
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Per
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Re: Facel Vega / Jensen heads / hi torque starter

Post by Per »

I need to check but I am fairly certain the 383 used in the Facel II was the B-block version, simply being a larger version of the 5.9 used in the HK500. However the 413 is an RB. So I agree, looks like the whole engine/gearbox combo has been replaced by a Jensen sourced lot. His old engine and gearbox has gone to god knows who and where.
Per
Not only English cars these days, an Italian is part of the stable again 8)
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