County Auto Conversion, and Disc all round

[sclarke]

Thought i might share with you some of the pleasures i have in life...

The Missus wanted a Defender or County, Why???? well her Disco was not used off road as it was a Toorak Tractor, i was not prepared to cut the guards and do stacks to it to make it as capable as a 110. So the better choice was to sell it and get a County and convert it to Auto.

Why a County and Why an Auto?
County as it has a V8 and after driving V8's and 200tdi's and 300tdi's and TD5's it is clear the V8 is beeter in the bush for its instant power, low down torque and more important to any bloke... the Heartbeat....
Auto?? well the missus cant drive a manual, tried time after time and its a no go subject... so an Auto was the way to go... BUT there is a benefit in an Auto, climbing is easy and straight forward, but downhills is the only time you need to hold it in 1st...

I also wanted to put Disc brakes all round for the better stopping a Defender has over a County with Drum rear.

So what do i need???
V8 Auto is the 1st part.... that was easy... i just bought a wreck and use it as the donor car...

4 Wheel Disc, i could convert the Salisbury Plough to a Disc rear end, but i then thought... Go the Rover diffs. If a Rangie and Disco can handle a V8, then the Rover diffs will be fine. This way i can use the Rover Diffs from the Disco and just change the front calipers to Defender or if i'm lucky the County ones will fit.

Brake booster and Master Cylinder from a 94 onwards Defender, the county one will work, but the pedal will be harder than a 94 Defender one. its all to do with the County one being designed for Drum rear...

So where do i start.....

1985 County V8 LT85 Manual
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/843.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/844.jpg


The donor Disco for the V8 and Auto....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/04/440.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/222.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/169.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/04/441.jpg

Engine removal is next...

[sclarke]

Sunday 4th Nov 07
Started the strip of the engine and found that the head gasket is blown on the LH bank between cyl 1,2 & 3

Checked the lot over to find the auto and transfer are ok. Diffs are in good shape.

I'm going to use the 3.9 also if its repairable, if not then the 3.5 gets a freshen up....

Saturday 10th Nov
Engine removal with gearbox and transfer attached.

I was looking at the quickest and easiest way to remove the engine/gearbox in 1 hit. Someone suggested lifting the body off, then i would have a complete rolling chassis to use as a mobile engine stand... BUT room is limited, so i worked out the burnt Disco can stay as a complete peice and i'll just strip the parts i need.

So out with the Gas axe, i did not want any front panels in the road, so the easiest way was to remove them...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/212.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/213.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/214.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/215.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/216.jpg


Then came lifting the engine out.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/217.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/218.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/219.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/220.jpg

Engine is now out and i've started stripping the Transfer and gearbox and seeing what needs doing....
The output shaft on the Auto is in good nick, the input gear on the Transfer is in good nick, Very Little wear. I'm not going to replace them at this stage as the wear is so small its not worth the $400 in parts to replace them. The 3rd diff when locked has alot of wear. i'm going to have to pull it out and see how bad it is. looks like i might have to replace it.. Bummer...

More pix to come after todays attack...

[muddydigger]

I ll be watching this with interest, as its a futer project for me too.

[D110V8D]

And some pics from today.....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/204.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/7849/ppuser/9483) https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/205.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/7850/ppuser/9483)

Getting the head off in classic Clarkie style.....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/206.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/7851/ppuser/9483)

She's blown alright!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/11/207.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/7852/ppuser/9483)

The block...

[sclarke]

Thanks Mick..

Yep the head gasket has blown...

Today i also stripped the transfer and checked it all out..
New seals and gaskets and job's done...

Steve

[donh54]

keep us posted - this is a soon to be project for me, too.
We were looking at maybe buying a P38, but have the County sitting in the back yard, so figured we could spend a bit less doing it up, and have a slightly more reliable jigger.

Don

('84 County, slightly (?) sad 3.5, and would like to go with an auto if possible).

[sclarke]

Well the Gearbox in the County came out today...

I pulled the Tail shafts to find the front one had a broken Uni, no drama as they will all be getting new Uni's

Dropped the box in about 3 hours and helped Dave (Blk.Knight.Aus) load them up into the Fender...

In the next few weeks i'll start stripping my 3.5 and getting it readdy for a Tidy up, still dont know what engine i'm using... for now its a 3.5 anyhow..

Steve

[sclarke]

Vid of the Donor Engine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qohcMs3YAvs

Steve