New member asking help identifying Sunbeam

[Max B]

Hi all. Max in Utah here. I knew about TIgers in late sixties when neighbor had one. In March 2021, bought a project 1966 Sunbeam Tiger that had sat in friends garage untouched and unregistered since bought at estate sale in 1997. He received a notarized California title issued in 1977. After Utah DMV inspected car, title, and a verification check I received Utah title and registration. Although the chassis number is for a MarkI, I know back half body is Alpine (battery box, etc.), although I don't know how much Tiger it's welded to. In the pictures, although hard to see, there is a weld line across tranny tunnel where seat releases are that runs both ways across entire body and sills. It appears the front of car is Tiger from engine compartment,, cross member, etc. I plan on just fixing up to drive and not worried about selling it. I know it's a 'generic' (Alger, clone, etc) not 'brand name'. However, I love the little thing and just want to know what's what on it to know things to order. Link is to site where son took lots of pictures, many duplicates. Sort through and see what you find. The numbers I have found so far are: Chassis#94723**, Yep, upside down. JAL#561847, painted body color, but rivets, not screws. Trans HEH E, engine casting C5AE-6015E, Diff J64 794. Thanks members!! Max.

If you would like a look at this car I am preparing a album . Please contact me by a conversation for look my existing web link.

 

[Warren]

Thanks for sharing the pictures and joining up. Some Time ago there was a rear clipped MK2 so it's not the first. You'll find some good responses here for your questions.

 

[hottigr]

Hopefully someone with a BON more handy than mine can verify some of your numbers. It does appear you have at least part of a Tiger.

 

[steven]

I checked BON and that listing shows no record not known

 

[Warren]

Hopefully someone with a BON more handy than mine can verify some of your numbers. It does appear you have at least part of a Tiger.

Obviously the best part of a Tiger..
Depending on your budget there's lots of options. For the shoestring re power there's the easy 289 heads that were offered up this afternoon. Looks like a 260 block and the casting date looks to be in range. It was great talking with you Max. I have a X frame that is part of a parts car in the high Desert off highway 138.
It's free to haul away should your rehab include those fixes.
Thanks for posting it's always interesting looking at another's project.

 

[0neoffive]

Hi all. Max in Utah here. I knew about TIgers in late sixties when neighbor had one. In March 2021, bought a project 1966 Sunbeam Tiger that had sat in friends garage untouched and unregistered since bought at estate sale in 1997. He received a notarized California title issued in 1977. After Utah DMV inspected car, title, and a verification check I received Utah title and registration. Although the chassis number is for a MarkI, I know back half body is Alpine (battery box, etc.), although I don't know how much Tiger it's welded to. In the pictures, although hard to see, there is a weld line across tranny tunnel where seat releases are that runs both ways across entire body and sills. It appears the front of car is Tiger from engine compartment,, cross member, etc. I plan on just fixing up to drive and not worried about selling it. I know it's a 'generic' (Alger, clone, etc) not 'brand name'. However, I love the little thing and just want to know what's what on it to know things to order. Link is to site where son took lots of pictures, many duplicates. Sort through and see what you find. The numbers I have found so far are: Chassis#94723**, Yep, upside down. JAL#561847, painted body color, but rivets, not screws. Trans HEH E, engine casting C5AE-6015E, Diff J64 794. Thanks members!! Max.

If you would like a look at this car I am preparing a album . Please contact me by a conversation for look my existing web link.

Yep: has the ubiquitous tunnel access holes cut in by a novice trying to get at the bell housing bolts. Weld em' up and learn the better ways. Welcome to the mania. You will find lots of knowledge & satire available here.

 

[pfreen]

My car had those weird cuts in the tunnel. Now I know why. I welded them shut.

 

[Max B]

I checked BON and that listing shows no record not known

Steven. Thanks. I found a paper where PO had enquired when he first got car 20 years ago and someone had replied the same thing. The California title just had VIN listed as chassis number without "B" but preceded by "66". Took me a while to finally figure number out!

Obviously the best part of a Tiger..
Depending on your budget there's lots of options. For the shoestring re power there's the easy 289 heads that were offered up this afternoon. Looks like a 260 block and the casting date looks to be in range. It was great talking with you Max. I have a X frame that is part of a parts car in the high Desert off highway 138.
It's free to haul away should your rehab include those fixes.
Thanks for posting it's always interesting looking at another's project.

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Thanks. After talking with you guys, I think I’ll check condition of engine and see what mods may have been done in addition to intake system. If it seems okay for now, I’ll focus on getting it safely drivable and see if I can enjoy it while restoring.

 

[Max B]

Yep: has the ubiquitous tunnel access holes cut in by a novice trying to get at the bell housing bolts. Weld em' up and learn the better ways. Welcome to the mania. You will find lots of knowledge & satire available here.

Yep! I sorta figured that on tranny tunnel as I'm guessing they are hard to take out without right tools and knowledge. At first I thought one of the holes by accel pedal was for plug access and thought doesn't look right because how jagged it was. Then I saw the round hole up higher right above the plug.
I also noticed the front section of tunnel directly above trans is removeable with four small bolts securing it at each of four corners. I've not been able to determine if this is by design or another easy access way. Almost seems it not being solid could create a weakness in that area?

 

[Theorangetiger]

There is a removable access panel on the driver side. It is to access and adjust the shifter linkage.

 

[Max B]

Update on search. They are a little harder to get into than other cars I’ve worked on!
While taking plugs out to squirt oil in, I had generator off so thought I’d pull valve cover. Heads are 289, but not HiPo. Blocking casting number, CAOE-6015-E shows “65-67 289” on mustangtek and several other sights. So, it MAY be a 289.

 

[0neoffive]

From the look of some of those rocker nuts showing so much thread, either the studs are pulling out or the lifters are bottomed out.

 

[Max B]

From the look of some of those rocker nuts showing so much thread, either the studs are pulling out or the lifters are bottomed out.

I noticed that too, but didn’t think much of it at time because it was so late when I got the cover off. I did twist a couple of pushrods a little to feel how tight or loose they might be. It’s been almost 35 years since I rebuilt a SBF, so I’m still going slow and refreshing memory. Anything else I need to look at? Thanks out to you and others who’ve responded or taken time to call and share information. Max.