Bit of a drive

[Fourgearsticks]

Just did a couple of days driving in the wagon. It's a 57 107 SW with series 3 2.25 petrol engine and running gear, including a salsbury back diff. Also has a Fairy overdrive, it would pull overdrive from 75 K's up on flat country. I was impressed the way this old machine cruised along, would cruise anywhere from 80 to 110 comfortably on the flat. The machine has 7:50 tyres (Seems slightly overgeared), gives an under read of the speedo of about 8% compared with a gps.

Did 1,712 K's in 2 days, fuel consumption varied from 5.5 K's/Litre at 110KPH with a headwind to just on 7K's/Litre sitting on between 85 and 90 KPH.

I have a couple of questions to those in the know,
What does a standard series one tank hold?
Is the overdrive when engaged supposed to be louder (Howling noise) than forth gear?
How is the fuel consumption, is that what to expect?
What highway speed do other people sit on? 85 to 90 seemed most comfortable.
What size tyres would suit this set up?

I nearly sold this old machine a while ago, glad I didn't. I'm looking forward to getting out and about with it.

[Chops]

Thats a nice looking rig you've got there,, good to hear she's running well too. :DCant help you with any of the info you're after,, been a long time since I've driven a S3 as a daily, and mine never had overdrive.

[JDNSW]

Just did a couple of days driving in the wagon. It's a 57 107 SW with series 3 2.25 petrol engine and running gear, including a salsbury back diff. Also has a Fairy overdrive, it would pull overdrive from 75 K's up on flat country. I was impressed the way this old machine cruised along, would cruise anywhere from 80 to 110 comfortably on the flat. The machine has 7:50 tyres (Seems slightly overgeared), gives an under read of the speedo of about 8% compared with a gps.

Did 1,712 K's in 2 days, fuel consumption varied from 5.5 K's/Litre at 110KPH with a headwind to just on 7K's/Litre sitting on between 85 and 90 KPH.

I have a couple of questions to those in the know,
What does a standard series one tank hold?
Standard tank is 45l - but I am not certain the 107 wagon has the same.

Is the overdrive when engaged supposed to be louder (Howling noise) than forth gear?
Not really, but they usually are - can get very noisy without being on the brink of failure

How is the fuel consumption, is that what to expect?
About what I would expect - see below

What highway speed do other people sit on? 85 to 90 seemed most comfortable.
I would agree with about 90 being comfortable

What size tyres would suit this set up?
Original would have had 7.00x16, but with the larger engine, 7.50s may be more suitable, particularly since 7.00s are unobtainable, although these will be responsible for about half of the speedo error, probably an increased turning circle, and slightly heavier steering.

I nearly sold this old machine a while ago, glad I didn't. I'm looking forward to getting out and about with it.

You have a vehicle that is mechanically a Series 3, but it has the somewhat less streamlined Series 1 body, which will make it a little slower, thirstier, and more difficult to drive, although I suspect it is a bit lighter. But it has a lot more character than the later wagons! Sounds very interesting - pictures?

John

[B.S.F.]

I've got a similar setup to yours. S1 58 109 with 2.25 L engine ,7:1 compression ratio with Solex carby.and Toro overdrive.I've owned the car for 12 years and have done 116000km since then. I use my car daily and twice a year we take it on a trip ,usually one trip 2000-2500km, the other 4500-5000km.Because we always go on our own we take a fair bit of gear with us and the car is usually overloaded. (6 -7 Jerry cans of fuel and 3 Jerry cans of water for a start)
Fuel consumption on those trips varies from 14-18L/100km.I've fitted a 2" rev.counter and try to sit on about 2500-2700 revs.,no matter what gear I'm in.Of course that's not possible in built up areas or on busy one lane highways.I rarely go over 3000 revs.except when I join a motor way and have to build up speed to merge with the traffic.
The overdrive whines whether it is engaged or not.
85-90 is the most comfortable speed with O/D engaged ,70 without O/D.
I run 7.00x16 8ply cross ply mud tyres .I prefer them half worn.Less rolling resistance and they pick up less stones on gravel roads.I don't think my engine would be strong enough for 7.50x16 cross plys, I'd have to switch to radials.
The only time my car failed to proceed was after I fitted a new dud rotor button.Luckily this happened near home.
I stopped fiddling with my car a long time ago.It is my experience that Series Land Rovers require very little maintenance if you use them daily.
It seems to me your car is behaving perfectly normally.

W.

[Lost Landy]

Glad to see that you have got the old gal out streching her legs, Still wish i was able to buy your 107 SW i just love them. If your ever interested in doing a trade please let me know ;) i have a Isuzu powerd County as my daliy driver :D

[Fourgearsticks]

Sounds very interesting - pictures?
John
Another piccie, don't know to call her the Brick or FBG for Fat Bottomed Girl.
Last piccie is a headwind on the Hay Plain.

[JDNSW]

Another piccie, don't know to call her the Brick or FBG for Fat Bottomed Girl.
Last piccie is a headwind on the Hay Plain.

Any pictures of interior, engine bay?

John

[Fourgearsticks]

I'll get some the weekend