New kid on the block - Series IIA 1970 SWB

[damiane]

Well this is the prospect. My friend has asked me to see what it will cost to get roadworthy and, if successful, it will be my purchase.

here she/he/it is:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/393.jpg

and
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/394.jpg

and
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/395.jpg

She is in pretty good condition on the outside but is a bit tired inside.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/04/396.jpg

The chassis number is 243 16177 G
The engine number 24103556A
Body number 13562
Serial number 88 13562

I know there are members here who can throw light on her history. I gather from the "Pressed Metal" plate that he/she/it was a civilian Land Rover manufactured in Sydney from an imported "kit".

Currently sussing out what's wrong, what needs to be done for RWC and what else needs to be done for use in the bush.

[JDNSW]

Certaainly looks pretty tidy from what can be seen on the pictures.

John

[damiane]

That's odd. Must have done something wrong. When I previewed that message before posting the thumbnails opened full size images. But when I click on the posted message they are just that - thumbnails! What have I done?

After edit:
Now I have full sized images and no thumbnails. Grief old age is a terrible thing.

[harry]

Looks great, did you buy it?

[damiane]

I will buy it Harry if we - the current owner and I - can get it Roadworthied so it's a question of how much my friend wants to spend to achieve that. He's tasked me with establishing that cost.

[damiane]

I will buy it Harry if we - the current owner and I - can get it Roadworthied so it's a question of how much my friend wants to spend to achieve that. He's tasked me with establishing that cost.

Well I am pleased to announce that my purchase is proceeding. There is a little to do for the RWC and once I have finished moving house and unpacking I will get started. Car is in pretty good nick. It will need new tyres although the current retreads are RW. Headlights are Lucas. What more needs be said. Heater is leaking but I will find a substitute unit rather than go down the U.K. rebuild for $gazillion and my first-born grandchild (which incidentally is due in October :D )

Only RW stuff is wheel bearing adjustment, leaking front left hub, u/s steering damper, shot muffler, wiper switch is cactus. The dreaded spring bushes are borderline but acceptable.

So full steam ahead - once the move is complete! Now I have the really BIG PROBLEM.


One faced by all series L/R owners.


What name am I going to give it/her/him?

Perhaps Hilary after our next P.O.T.U.S. Or maybe "Mabel" in honour of our first IIa which we owned and indeed honeymooned in during the summer of 1977. We spent many happy 45 m.p.h. hours in her and travelled all over the Victorian and NSW Alps and northern N.S.W. Across to the Coorong and up to Mungo. But I am boring you with my reminiscences. :(

So photos above. What does she/he/it look like to you. Yes I know it's a land rover:mad: All suggestions will be treated with equal . . . . . well whatever!!!

cheers

[grey_ghost]

How about Tim?

I was initially thinking "Tiny Tim" - but shortened it to simply Tim...

[The ho har's]

Well done, by the pics it looks very nice.

I wouldn't call her "Mabel" though as you already owned one of her. I'd pick another name:)

Mrs hh:angel:

[JDNSW]

It perhaps should be pointed out that the steering damper was optional equipment, so a bit hard to see it being a roadworthiness issue (steering wobble will be the result of other issues; it relies on frictional damping in the swivels and steering relay - the damper is only to reduce kickback offroad).

John

[damiane]

It perhaps should be pointed out that the steering damper was optional equipment, so a bit hard to see it being a roadworthiness issue (steering wobble will be the result of other issues; it relies on frictional damping in the swivels and steering relay - the damper is only to reduce kickback offroad).

John

At my age John the less kickback the better; other than good chocolates and red wine naturally.

Damian

[damiane]

UHaving finished moving house and almost finished unpacking - as if you ever finish unpacking! :D - I have started to get stuck in to him. [I have decided it is a him not a her but still deciding between two possible monikers] Not a lot to show for a lot of hours work so nothing much to photograph:(

Got my first box of goodies from Rover**** Pl**. Have fitted a new steering damper (chose the Armstrong) new wiper switch and blades. Now have actual working wipers! Fixed the bad earth in the motor. Stripped, cleaned out and regreased wiper gearbox mechanism. Think I maybe should have packed more grease in there.

Replaced all three seat belts. Although I purchased the brackets to mount to the cab I ended up using the already installed mounting points on the bulkhead top rail and lower wall as these were heavily reinforced and clearly had been acceptable for registration purposes in the past.

Fitted new muffler/tail pipe. Very respectable noises now.

Replaced the rubber boot on the transmission brake which is one air/noise leak fixed. Only 40 to go. !!!!!!!

Removed the Smiths round type (leaking) heater from the bulkhead. Mechanic said that for RWC if it has a heater it must work BUT if it doesn't have a heater there is nothing to be failed. I suppose there is some logic to that.

Hit the bottom, wheel arches, chassis and engine bay with the first full-on attack of removing accumulated mud, grease and oil from underside. I should add I did that first up before starting anything else. Having spent some time underneath today I realise how much I missed. Several more attacks will be required. Could have started a new garden bed with what I got out today. Great red soil from a vineyard. Washed out the tub. Apart from being 46 years old it is positively gleaming.:cool:

Removed the defunct windscreen washer reservoir and attached pump as the latter is RS. I think this was an after market add-on anyway so I'm off to Autob*** in the a.m. To buy a "universal" kit to fit and wire in.

Also got to get relays and H4 filaments for the Wipac replacement headlights. Studying up on relay installation. Been 40 years since I used to do all that stuff on the team rally cars. I gather the go is to use two relays; one for Low beam and one for High.

Next fiddle job after headlights will be the window channels which are completely shot. I bought a channel replacement kit and have been reading all the posts on here that I can find to work out a process for the task.

Question: what product do people prefer as the mastic on which to bed the fixed glass?

Question: which is better: screws for the channel pieces or liquid adhesive, silastic, etc?

Have started the "tyre search". Grief! So many opinions on what tyre goes on what rim. To say I am now totally confused is an understatement. This makes Constitutional Law look easy.

Have ordered a new radiator cap as an easy fix but engine is still running cold. Never gets to normal on gauge so may pull the thermostat out and test it.

Have a swivel gasket set on order. Once that is in and headlights are better than 3 candlepower he will be ready for RWC and then we can do the deal. Officially.

In closing I have to say: "I can't believe how much fun it is to drive a 1969 SWB 2A." And you can quote me!

[crackers]

Sorry, no photo, didn't happen :twisted:

For what it's worth, I too am amazed at the amount of dirt that can build up on these beasts. My daughter was cleaning out some impacted dust between the front of the fuel tank and a cross member - it was 6" deep :eek:

[damiane]

I hope that doesn't mean I'll have to do it all again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day a la Groundhog Day but without Andie MacDowell!


Sorry, no photo, didn't happen :twisted:

For what it's worth, I too am amazed at the amount of dirt that can build up on these beasts. My daughter was cleaning out some impacted dust between the front of the fuel tank and a cross member - it was 6" deep :eek:

[crackers]

Yup :twisted:

Names. There was a stupid movie years ago, and I can't remember the name or what it was about, but one thing sticks with me (and annoys the hell out of my kids) - "His name's Bruce, they're all named Bruce".
Might work for your Landy :D

[JDNSW]

........
Question: what product do people prefer as the mastic on which to bed the fixed glass?

Question: which is better: screws for the channel pieces or liquid adhesive, silastic, etc?

......

I'm also interested to hear the answer on the mastic - the original is stuff that came in strips, but I don't know if it is available today.

Screws, for my money - I expect to want to get them out again in the future!

John

[Pickles2]

From the little I can see from your images, that looks like a very nice original vehicle, so I'd be trying to keep it that way,...in which regard, I'd be getting the original RARE Smiths Heater fixed,...might be difficult, but that makes it all the more worthwhile in the end, & after all, it "belongs" there.
Nice vehicle, Pickles.

[damiane]

Pickles,

If I had unlimited resources I MIGHT restore it although my researches indicate there are a number of after-market heaters around that would provide real heat levels - taking into account that it is mostly a non-insulated aluminium box. I do understand the 'original look' perspective and if this wasn't to be a daily commuter but a concour exhibit I would feel compelled to have it restored. But the costs I have sourced for overseas restoration are outrageous IMHO :mad:; clearly designed to gouge :mad::mad::mad: that portion of the Series owner's market that feel they must have the original. I get the impression that the OS repairers figure they can charge the maximum they think the market will bear and while buyers may cringe they will still pay! just don't tell SWMBO what it cost :wasntme:

Not saying I am going to throw it on the tip or something silly like that. I will drain it properly, dry it out and box it up. When I am toes up it can be sold with the vehicle no doubt enhancing the prospects for sale to a good home and a new owner who is prepared to spend an overseas return airfare on a 60's design car heater. :)


From the little I can see from your images, that looks like a very nice original vehicle, so I'd be trying to keep it that way,...in which regard, I'd be getting the original RARE Smiths Heater fixed,...might be difficult, but that makes it all the more worthwhile in the end, & after all, it "belongs" there.
Nice vehicle, Pickles.

[Pickles2]

No worries.
Like I said, it looks like you have a nice original vehicle, and I look forward to seeing more of it.
Pickles.

[gromit]

I'm also interested to hear the answer on the mastic - the original is stuff that came in strips, but I don't know if it is available today.

Screws, for my money - I expect to want to get them out again in the future!

John

4 Wheel drives sell this.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/07/771.jpg (http://s1245.photobucket.com/user/cradley/media/Series%203%20Isuzu%20C240/DSCN3086_zpsebaf8720.jpg.html)

Needs to be worked in the warm (indoors or wait until summer).

Boxes of stainless screws are cheap. Countersunk for the glazing strips & pan head for the aluminium angle at the front.


Colin

[crackers]

If I had unlimited resources I MIGHT restore it although my researches indicate there are a number of after-market heaters around that would provide real heat levels - taking into account that it is mostly a non-insulated aluminium box

Investigate keeping the original heater case and fitting something effective inside - no, it won't 'be original' but it would 'look original'.

There was a recent discussion about heaters on here recently. Try to find that as it did offer options.

[damiane]

Investigate keeping the original heater case and fitting something effective inside - no, it won't 'be original' but it would 'look original'.

There was a recent discussion about heaters on here recently. Try to find that as it did offer options.

Yes my researches showed there were from memory two different cores that might fit inside the old round Smith's heater; one of them might require a little bit of fiddling with the side clips. They were two different core types, as in different to the very fine steel lattice core of the original - a design which makes them irreparable.

I did a pretty thorough search on here at the time and I did start a thread of my own only a few weeks back. But will go back and have another go. Thanks crackers :) I try not to be a complete pragmatist ( read 'pleb') and if I could get a repair at a reasonable price I would probably stick with the Smith's for "originality" reasons alone even if the heat output was not brilliant. It is a Series IIA Land Rover after all. Can't expect it to be as warm as wife's Toyota Echo which, I am sure, you could convert to a sauna in the right conditions given a galvanized bucket, some water and a couple of rocks. :D

[gromit]

Damian,

Interesting article in Land Rover Owner International magazine ( Spring Issue 5 2015) on a chap in the UK that specialises in repairing Smiths heaters.
People from around the World send them to him for repair.

Chris Parker carpcrew@yahoo.co.uk or his Ebay name carpcrew_123

Apparently he sometimes has them for sale (nothing on Ebay at the moment).



Colin

[crackers]

Damian,

Interesting article in Land Rover Owner International magazine ( Spring Issue 5 2015) on a chap in the UK that specialises in repairing Smiths heaters.
People from around the World send them to him for repair.

Chris Parker carpcrew@yahoo.co.uk or his Ebay name carpcrew_123

Apparently he sometimes has them for sale (nothing on Ebay at the moment).



Colin

If it's the repair I'm thinking of, if you're not barking mad when you start, you will be by the end :wasntme:A very good, winters evening in front of tele job that... assuming you're sensibly single like I am :angel: