Ghost's 101

**grey_ghost** · 3rd February 2014, 07:49 AM

Hi All,

Well it turned out to be a bigger adventure than I had planned or hoped for, but hey - that's Land Rovers for you!

Firstly I have to give a massive thanks to Gavin and Mick for sharing the excellent adventure. Put quite simply - I couldn't have done it without them.

Next I have to think LandyBitz for sourcing and importing the vehicle for me. It was great to meet Justin & Gill - lovely people.

I am very happy with the vehicle and am rapt to finally have it back at the manor. There are some small cosmetic things that I will do to it over the coming months - after I sort out the mechanical ones...

After a day of sweltering heat in downtown sunny Queanbeyan - we hit the road at approximately 4:30pm.

I think that the conditions (38c +) certainly didn't help the 101 - the poor thing is probably used to much cooler climates..

First minor drama - was getting lost whilst driving through Canberra - it's always fun to drive around the nations capitol, including a wave to Tony in the Lodge as we drove past..

The first drama happened when Gavin reported the the car was over-heating. We stopped, let it cool down and then checked the radiator which was bone dry. We topped up the radiator (3+ litres of water from memory) and set off again.

We had to stop again about 30kms out of Yass - again over heating, again an empty radiator... Which had the 101 brains trust (Mick/Gav) seen it deep contemplation as there were no obvious signs of water leakage. The 101 was not a happy chappy. Another cool off period, and 3+ litres and we set off again.

I shall let Mick/Gav explain in more technical detail what the problem appears to be - but they made a temporary repair to the radiator cap, and along with highway driving and slowly reducing temps meant that the 101 behaved reasonably well for the rest of the trip..

Here is a photo at one of the road-side stops (north of Yass I believe):

Here is another photo taken later in the night - south of Wangaratta I think:

It was at this stop that we discovered a largish oil leak which required a top up of 1 Litre of oil. Gav thinks that it is a rear main seal.

We topped him up, and sailed into Wandong arriving at approximately 2:30am.

The next step is to work out a list of mechanical issues and then cosmetic ones. Everything very much doable and expected on a car of this vintage.

I think that the heat got to the car and all 3 of us to be honest. It was like a perfect storm - just too hot.

All's well that ends well - it was a great trip, the beast is now resting at home!

Once again - a massive Thank You to Gav and Mick. The trip would not have been possible without them.

Now I'm back off to get some Zzz's..

**101RRS** · 3rd February 2014, 08:46 AM

Its great to see that you got the Ambo home. Check the little S thermostat bypass pipe behind the water pump - it is hard to get at and is often overlooked - it can split and cause coolant loss.

Garry

**Homestar** · 3rd February 2014, 09:06 AM

Coolant loss was caused by the radiator cap - and extreme temperatures. The cap didn't quite seat - probably only by a mm. A bit of wire under the rubber at the bottom to make it protrude a bit further saw no further issues, and no more coolant loss. Using my IR thermometer, we found the engine never got past 94 but the temp gauge is out a fair bit, as is the fuel gauge, so thinking the 10 volt regulator may have seen better days.

Despite the dramas, thee vehicle drives VERY well, and is comfortable at 100KPH on the freeway, dropping down to around 80 on the steepest hills - a much better effort than mine can manage. All in all, a great vehicle.

**Carzee** · 6th February 2014, 07:48 AM

A very good unit, impressive.

Good to see you got back, sorry I missed chatting with a few people here.

It was a warm day. Pity those people selling cookers and BBQs doing demos.

ps, on the showground grass there are no trees for shade of course. But the camper sellers all want level ground to set up their shoplets...

The Qbn swap meet a few weeks back was around the carpark where there is plenty of shade, but its uneven of course. (The crowd was about the same).

**grey_ghost** · 9th February 2014, 07:16 AM

Hi Gav,

Work hasn't stopped this week - 16 hour days including yesterday, so today is the first chance that I have had a quick look/start/drive of the 101.

You asked me to take a photo of the automatic gearbox id plate on the 101...

Here it is!

Now - I think that this means it's from a Classic Rangie - as per this post?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/819498-post15.html

What do you think?

**Homestar** · 9th February 2014, 08:25 AM

Ok, that all makes sense now. I haven't played with the Borg Warner TC's from the later RRC's. looks like the 005 version is from a 3.9.

Did it start and run ok after a week sitting there? I'll pop up this week and have a look over it properly if that's ok? Maybe pull some covers off and see how easy it will be to drop the box and get that oil leak sorted.

**grey_ghost** · 9th February 2014, 08:33 AM

Hi Gav,

That would be fantadtic. I am at home on Mon, Tue, Wed and then back in NZ Thu-Sun.

I am planning on going out on Mon and hopefully getting the rear-main-seal, oils, viscous fan...

All systems are go!

The 101 started after a little bit -first attempt I forgot the choke! Second attempt it stalled. Third attempt all good!

Cant wait to get it on the road.

Should I also get auto tranny fluid for the service?

**Homestar** · 9th February 2014, 08:43 AM

Cool. I'll see if I can organise some work in that area on Tuesday or Wednesday.

. Yes, some trannie fluid would be good, but probably need to do the filter in there as well - I'll give you a ring today and chat about it.

**Mick_Marsh** · 9th February 2014, 08:50 AM

Recognise this oil stain at Gundagai?

**Homestar** · 9th February 2014, 08:57 AM

Returning to the scene of the crime Mick...

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