Defender 6x6 V8...need help!

[vasimone]

Hello All,

I have always been inspired by the adventures of a Defender and I am very close to become myself an owner of special one (hopefully).

I found a 1995 69,000km 130 Defender modified by carmichaels for the fireservice into a 6x6 - a massive exciting beast which would take me anywhere - the only issue is that it has been 'stuck' for 8 years since the owner after one service didn't put enough oil and used the vehicle until he broke the bearing...since then this mighty beast has been laying in the fireservice yard (with the wheels lifted to prevent them getting oval).

I am in discussion with the owner to buy it but i would like from you some precious advice as i am not a mechanical expert (yet :-p):

1-how big of an issue is that the bearing broke? how easily can this be fixed?
2-are there any other consequences in the engine and/or other parts of the car because of the broken bearing?
3-after having been 8 years idle, what are the other parts (e.g. suspensions) that will need to be changed (besides the end-to-end check/lubrification)?
4- one carburator has been blocked to avoid this beast to consume too much petrol - if i have it reopened now, would there be any consequences because in the past it ran with only one carburator?
5-how do i understand if the 3rd axle is lazy or active?
6-how do i understand what is the engine that it runs (e.g. ford, ....)


Based on your feedback i will know on how much to settle for the price, or whether i need to abandon this dream...

Looking forward to becoming a Defender-owner and active participant of AULRO :)

cheers,

Simone

[loanrangie]

Which bearing is it since bearings dont just break, they would seize or wear out , how do you know its a V8 ?
If it is a V8 then its likely to be a Rover 3.5 or 3.9 ,
though a previous owner could have fitted anything to it.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[vasimone]

Well, i have been told that since there wasn't sufficient oil, the bearing of the engine broke - in fact i can see the bottom of the engine been removed and is now kept in the garage..

I assume it's a V8 having 2 carburators and the V8 sticker on the side of it, just in front of the door (you can see it partially in the picture) - is there a way I can check on the engine the size and the manufacturer of it?

thanks a lot!

Looking forward to bringing the beast back to life!!

[Mick_Marsh]

Sometimes, rarely, they do break. This may be seen by a hole or deformation in the side of the block.
Whatever the issue is, a replacement engine may be your choice.
What is the second hand parts market for Landrovers like where you are?

One of my Landrovers sat for eight years awaiting motor rebuild without much issue. Mind you, it would be worth having a good look over the vehicle to see if there are any other issues. What is the chassis like? Any rust?

[loanrangie]

If it has 2 carbs then probably a 3.5 circa pre 1986 , defenders in that era never had a V8 so it retro fitted.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[Ancient Mariner]

If the block is aluminium it could be either Buick Olds or Rover but with twin carbs 99% a rover .If the diffs are connected with tail shafts they are live if the add on has none its a lazy and I would walk away:o

AM

[DazzaTD5]

1-how big of an issue is that the bearing broke? how easily can this be fixed?
2-are there any other consequences in the engine and/or other parts of the car because of the broken bearing?
3-after having been 8 years idle, what are the other parts (e.g. suspensions) that will need to be changed (besides the end-to-end check/lubrification)?
4- one carburator has been blocked to avoid this beast to consume too much petrol - if i have it reopened now, would there be any consequences because in the past it ran with only one carburator?
5-how do i understand if the 3rd axle is lazy or active?
6-how do i understand what is the engine that it runs (e.g. ford, ....)

Simone

1 - As mentioned, they dont break par say, but seize, likely may have damaged the crank (a rover V8 shouldnt be an issue to source over there, assuming it is)
2 - If the engine seized then prolly nothing else, but sitting there for so long expect to have to do a lot of stuff etc etc to bring it upto spec.
3 - brakes, wheel bearings, suspension is prolly worn out before it stopped, change all the fluid, radiator maybe shot.
4 - seals might be dry and the carb may well need an overhaul, but as its been sitting for so long both will need a overhaul most likely.
5 - look under the back set of wheels, if its got a single tube or bar joining the two wheels its a lazy (trailing) axle, as in there will only be a front diff and one rear diff. if the beast has three diff then its a true 6x6!! (just prolly not as good as the Aussie one though :p
6 - take a picture of the engine and post it here, you will then know very quickly what engine it is.

Hate to put a downer on ur "dream" truckster, just be prepared to get handy with a spanner, and ....have fun? :)

Regards
Daz

[Blknight.aus]

Depending on price.. and i mean not much more than double scrap value be prepared to walk away.

Feel free to pm me if you like.

Save your dollars and look towards an ex mil 6*6

[Mick_Marsh]

Save your dollars and look towards an ex mil 6*6
Can we export them to Ghana?

[Dopey]

I always had the idea that most of the Carmichael conversions were a lazy axle at the rear, I remember looking at a few of their six wheel Range Rover fire tender conversions in the UK and all of them that I remember were only 4X4 with a lazy axle, I think that it applied to most of the Defender and Discovery conversions too.

Anyways, maybe contact Carmichael with the vehicle particulars (VIN number) and they might have the original build details on file.

Rescue & Command Vehicles | Fire Fighting & Airport Vehicles | Industrial Refinery Vehicles (http://www.amdac-carmichael.com)

Regards,
Mike.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If it has 2 carbs then probably a 3.5 circa pre 1986 , defenders in that era never had a V8 so it retro fitted.
Defenders had the V8 until the 1993 model so some old stock could have remained until 1994 or even 95. Just that Australia didn't get the V8 Defender.

I have a 1991 Defender V8 6x6 which was imported with a 1993 Defender V8 6x6. The V8 was the 3.5 carby engine with the LT77 transmission.

My 6x6 was a factory 6x6 (Land Rover fleet sales) with the 6X6 modification done in the Reynolds Boughton (Scottorn Trailers) factory before being returned to Solihull for completion. It uses the SMC through drive system.

I am not aware which 6x6 system Carmichael uses. They are a body builder who specialise in fire appliances and have done both 6X6 and 6X4 (lazy rear axle) conversions.

Most of the UK conversions use standard transmissions with the LT77/LT230 so parts are readily available. What may be a problem would be if the middle axle diff and through-drive system is broken because parts for that are no longer available. Land Rover experience at Gaydon have a 6x6 which is currently 6X4 because of a broken through drive.
Depending on price.. and i mean not much more than double scrap value be prepared to walk away.

Feel free to pm me if you like.

Save your dollars and look towards an ex mil 6*6It may be difficult getting an Australian 6x6 in Ghana (West Africa).

If the engine is seized, it can be rebuilt or a second-hand donor engine out of a Discovery 1 or Range Rover classic would suit. if it was a fuel injected engine any decent mechanic can swap the manifold from the Defender engine onto the EFI engine.

You may want to consider getting a 3.9 Discovery engine and re-jetting the carbys for the increased capacity. The 3.5 was always underpowered for the weight of the 6x6.

[Blknight.aus]

Defenders had the V8 until the 1993 model so some old stock could have remained until 1994 or even 95. Just that Australia didn't get the V8 Defender.

I have a 1991 Defender V8 6x6 which was imported with a 1993 Defender V8 6x6. The V8 was the 3.5 carby engine with the LT77 transmission.

My 6x6 was a factory 6x6 (Land Rover fleet sales) with the 6X6 modification done in the Reynolds Boughton (Scottorn Trailers) factory before being returned to Solihull for completion. It uses the SMC through drive system.

I am not aware which 6x6 system Carmichael uses. They are a body builder who specialise in fire appliances and have done both 6X6 and 6X4 (lazy rear axle) conversions.

Most of the UK conversions use standard transmissions with the LT77/LT230 so parts are readily available. What may be a problem would be if the middle diff and through-drive system is broken because parts for that are no longer available. Land Rover experience at Gaydon have a 6x6 which is currently 6X4 because of a broken through drive.

It may be difficult getting an Australian 6x6 in Ghana (West Africa).

If the engine is seized, it can be rebuilt or a second-hand donor engine out of a Discovery 1 or Range Rover classic would suit. if it was a fuel injected engine any decent mechanic can swap the manifold from the Defender engine onto the EFI engine.

You may want to consider getting a 3.9 Discovery engine and re-jetting the carbys for the increased capacity. The 3.5 was always underpowered for the weight of the 6x6.

Missed the location being africa.... my bad.

my reasons for avoiding it were baed on my understading that they were lt77 and 6x4 along with the fact that the chemicals used on and around them were not friendly to the alloy or the steel.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I'd be going for an R380 at least, but don't know if the V8 Disco bell housing would be the same length as a Defender 300tdi or Td5 R380 bellhousing.